Let's Motor

Since I have been blogging all about Spain, I haven't really been keeping up on what's been going on since then. Actually, not that much has happened. After Spain, I settled down for some much needed R&R (you know the vacation is crazy when you come home and need a vacation). I couldn't relax too much, though, because life goes on and there were things to be done. In particular, we had to get ready to head to Utah for the wedding of Mr. Frisby's sister. But, the Utah post will come later. For now, I will tell all about our road trip up north.

In preparation for the wedding, Mr. Frisby and I needed haircuts so as to look our best for the blessed occasion. This is tricky because my hair is done by a good friend of mine who lives about an hour north of Sacramento. I usually get it cut by her when she comes down for a haircutting weekend. However, our schedules did not coincide and my hair was getting out of control, so I came up with a solution. I was born and raised here in the great state of California and yet, I've never been to Sutter's Mill - the place where gold was discovered, starting the California Gold Rush. This, to me, is shameful (I'm not saying it's shameful for all Californians to not go to Sutter's Mill, but for me, given my great love for California and my love for history, it was a little ridiculous). Mr. Frisby has also never been to Sutter's Mill, though, as a California transplant, he has an excuse. So, I decided to remedy my neglect of my California roots and my out of control hair all in one shot. We decided to take a day trip up to Coloma, California where Sutter's Mill is located. It happens to be up northeast of Sacramento and therefore, in the vicinity of my haircutting friend.

The plan was set and we had a lovely day. It took us about 2.5 hours to get to Coloma, but we took Maggie and she loves a good road trip, so we had a fabulous drive. The weather was beautiful, the sun was shining, and Maggie was hugging corners like nobody's business. Good times. When we got to Coloma, in Marshall Gold Discovery State Park, we parked and walked around checking out the little town, the gold discovery site, the sawmill, and other monuments and cemeteries they had there.


That's me by the sign going into the state park


That's Mr. Frisby with Coloma in the background


This is the replica sawmill that they built (because the original is no longer there) just upriver from the site of the original sawmill where gold was discovered.


That's Mr. Frisby with the replica sawmill in the background


That's me at the monument to James Marshall, the man who discovered gold.


We thought this pioneer cemetery on the edge of town was pretty cool. There was even a grave for one of the members of the Mormon Battalion.

It was pretty fun and we spent a good three hours checking everything out. After we finished in Coloma, we hit the road again. We went to Auburn where we got a quick bite to eat and then it was just over an hour's drive to my friend's house. We got our hairs all taken care of and had a good time visiting with our friends. Then it was about a 3 hour drive home. It was a very busy day with lots of driving, but we had a great time. If you're ever in the vicinity, I highly recommend checking out the Gold Discovery Site. Or getting your hair cut.