Let's go! January 1, 2021

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

And days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear

For auld lang syne

We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet

For auld lang syne

As we transition from the worst year of our lives into what we hope will become the complete opposite, Jimmy and I want to wish all you dear readers a blessed and fantastic 2021.  A year filled with wonders: for good health and no more masks, to hug each other's necks instead of bumping elbows, to see smiles again, to gather together in person, happily and without fear, and, for many of us, to travel in exotic (or domestic) lands ... like the good ol' days before COVID-19.  Stay safe, be well, and may you all grow in wisdom, strength and love rather than hips, waist and shoe size.  Happy New Year everyone.

 

Eureka! Thursday, 12/10/20

With another stellar sunny day in front of us and nothing on our schedule (no kidding), Jimmy and I packed up the waters and granola bars and set off for:  Fairy Falls ... again!  Before leaving, we really studied the hiking book and I took a picture of the book's map.  You know we are determined people, and after last week's defeat we darn sure wanted to find the falls.  We were pretty confident (if the bridge being repaired last week was fixed) that crossing the bridge would lead us to our destination.

We followed the same route as last week, which involved driving on a portion of Chuck Yeager Road.  This week the name meant something more, as the famous "Right Stuff" pilot and Grass Valley resident passed away on Monday at age 97.  I like to call it Chuck Yeager's Road.  

Yup, the bridge was open!  Yup, we found the parking lot.  And, yup, we saw a sign pointing to the falls!  After crossing Dry Creek, these horses and riders were the first thing we saw.  Actually, other than two walkers, we passed the hours hiking alone ... just the way we like it (although we both voiced that we wished Nannie had been with us, as she would've loved it here).

Spenceville Wildlife Area abuts Beale AFB (in gray), and Chuck Yeager's Road runs through both.  We come in from the right on the red road (Hwy 20).  The Town of Spenceville is gone now.  It sprouted to life in 1865-1866 after copper was discovered along Dry Creek.  By 1932 the town hit a dead end, and in WWII, the area was used for training by Camp Beale.  Check out this interesting sentence from the hiking book:  "During WWII the US military fitted Spenceville's abandoned buildings and streets with German signs and props and conducted war games there."  All that remains of Spenceville is the concrete bridge the horses are on (first photo, above), inscribed, "Chico Construction Company Aug 1919."

The preserve is comprised of approximately 11,900 acres of blue oak/gray pine woodland and those gorgeous golden rolling hills.  Aside from Dry Creek (which isn't), numerous other small creeks, ponds and riparian zones can be found.  We haven't seen any yet, but we'll be back!  There's tons of trails to explore.  Not big on signs, tho, and we had to guess several times which way to the falls.

A true-blue sky, and a nice breeze kept us cool.  Funny thing, we saw no critters at all, same as last time.  We see lots of small birds and woodpeckers, but no turkeys or quail or deer.  For a wildlife preserve, it seems strange.  It's quiet, too.  In fact, we stopped a few times to listen:  all was silent ... not something a person can find anymore.

After walking a couple of miles through the grassland, we hooked up with Dry Creek again, only this time, it's much rockier, more like the South Yuba River with its polished granite boulders and surrounding volcanic rock.  We saw several small falls cascading into pools, as above.

Still a fair distance from the falls (Fairy, aka, Shingle, aka Beale Falls),

I marked it with a red checkmark.

Aha!  Here's the main drop.

Into the pool (below).

The rim was fenced, thank you very much, and we hiked to the end of the fencing beyond the falls.  Dry Creek meandered below us and out of sight.  Don't know its origin.

On our return, we chose the Upper Loop trail, and spotted this majestic specimen perched atop the rise.  There isn't much elevation gain on this hike, maybe 500' and that's initially.  Altogether it's 5.3 miles to the falls and back.

Hello!

So many oaks and acorns, so many leaves!

Look Jimmy's in short sleeves!

Dry Creek has its picturesque moments.

I wish they didn't call it Dry.

In the car on our way toward Chuck Yeager's Road, we spied "A Swinging Tree" over a waterhole on the creek.  Imagine how much action this gets on a hot summer's day!  Yeehaw!

The bridge.  You see it's open.  I'm not fond of driving on wooden bridges like this one, but I did it, coming and going.  Be proud!  Moo cows were to the left on the other side.  We saw plenty of gates accessing the preserve, and we could be in a field with 'em on our next hike.  So, I'm gonna bring my walking stick in case I have to fight off a moo cow like a toreador!  (Jimmy sez they're not cows.)

We had another delightful day in the preserve -- it's such a peaceful place.  We really like it here.    

Boo!

Fairy Falls, maybe, Thursday, 12/3/20

Spenceville Wildlife Area -- new territory for us, though it's a mere 27 miles down the hill from our house.  Fairy Falls (aka Shingle Falls) is in the heart of Spenceville Wildlife preserve.  Not too far from Beale AFB.  We chose to go here because the day would be a warm and sunny 60ish, whereas the Sierras would be freezing cold.  No contest.

We followed the directions in our hiking book, right down to the GPS coordinates, and ended up nowhere.  Actually, a small bridge over Dry Creek (misnomer, it's wet) was closed for repair, and we think that if we'd been able to cross the bridge, we would've found our destination.  As it was, we were enchanted by our surroundings.  A couple (also turned around because of the bridge) suggested we park "by the horse trailer" a quarter mile back the way we came, go through the gate, and pick any trail we wanted.  Literally, the area is packed with narrow tracks.  And so we did.

Look at this pastoral Sierra foothill landscape!  Who wouldn't want to ramble here?  We walked alone through these lovely golden grasses, happy in our solitude.  The path Jimmy is on branches where the fence ends ... we veered right, toward Dry Creek ... and no fence.

Shallow Dry Creek has flowing water.  With little rain so far this season, it's very nice to see water.  I'm sure the critters appreciate it.  We found no bridge of any kind to cross it.

We wandered over grassy hills and through oak woodland.  One path merged into another, and another, and then melted away.  Sometimes we left the path to walk through the knee-deep grass.  Oh it was heavenly.  We saw no animals, no critters, and walked without fear of snakes (or spiders).   

We climbed one hill covered with old volcanic rock and looked down into Dry Creek.  Acorns from majestic Blue Oaks and scrub oaks littered the ground we walked on, very different looking from our Black Oak acorns.  Some had a purple hue.  Of course, we heard Acorn Woodpeckers yakking back and forth.  

A large/ish bird landed on a branch peopled by lots of sparrow-sized birds.  I was looking into the sun and couldn't identify the little guys.  I didn't recognize the large bird, but judged it to be in the woodpecker family.  It flew just as I aimed my camera at it (naturally), but I lifted this picture from the Cornell site ... and here it is, a new bird for me:  Lewis's Woodpecker.  Handsome, isn't it?  It chased off the small birds!

The path we were on seemed to go on ad infinitum, higher into the rolling hills, and possibly even to our house 27 miles away, so we turned around and made our way down to the creek.

We stayed near the creek much of the time since we like hiking near water.

Still plenty of color to be found this autumn.

Winter is coming, but it's not here yet!

We stepped over plenty of dried cow patties (and saw lots of small animal scat), so we believe cows will be grazing here when the grass turns green after the rains.  This split cement "dam" (above) shows some kind of bridge crossed in this spot, but you wouldn't be able to use it now. 

It never rains in California, but when it does, it pours, man, it pours!  This rock-strewn dry creek bed abutting Dry Creek is testament to those lyrics.  I can just see torrents pouring down stream.

As we made our way back towards the car, we spied a giant pile of dead and rusting barbed wire, with a Black Phoebe atop.  Every so often it would leap up, snatch a bug in midair, and fly back to its perch.  Good job!

We followed this track up past yonder tree to the Prius.  It didn't take us long to decide we wanted to come back to these idyllic hills this winter, and probably often.  Perhaps not so much after the rains begin (we need rain!), but while the sun's in its glory and the paths are mud-free, we'll see how much territory we can cover.  The elevation is only about 400'.  Our little hike today was almost four miles ... easy, pleasant miles.  Maybe the next time we return, we'll find Fairy Falls.

Bye bye, November ... 11/30/20

... see you, in December!  This time of year is traditionally busy -- with planning, cooking, shopping, friends and family.  But this is 2020, the year of nothing and emptiness, of disappointment and pain.  Jimmy and I consider ourselves very fortunate, inasmuch as we're fairly healthy, and we've been able to see our "bubble" friends and our small family, at least till now.  That's about to change.  Nevada County has seen a real surge in COVID cases:  642 cases on 10/30, with a leap to 1,348 on 11/30.  Because of this, our county is now in the "purple tier," the worst one.  No more gatherings, and businesses will be forced to shutter again, which'll result in more closings and so on.  How many months have we endured?  Nine months?  Just when it seems there's no hope, a potential vaccine becomes a ray of sunshine.  Meanwhile, we trudge the path of happy destiny.  As you see below!

I drove to Fair Oaks one day (they all kinda run together, you know?) to play with Evie.  We found fun things to do inside, but she was eager to go outside.  We've had few rain days in November, and this was another sunny day -- but I thought it was cold and wore my down parka.  Not Evie!  This three-and-a-half-year-old girl had me running all over the back yard in a game of "chase."  Run and fall down, run and fall down (for her only).  Her "c'mon Gramma, fall down," fell on deaf ears, pardon the pun.  If I fell down, I'd break a hip, or never get up!  I wore athletic shoes, she wore dance shoes.  She's three.  I'm old.  I've had another birthday to add to my collection of years.

A couple of weeks ago, closer to our birthdays, Jimmy and I were out hiking on our favorite Cascade Canal trail, eyeballing and oohing over divine sights you can only see in autumn.  The foliage -- such colors!  We walked quietly most of the way (six miles), pleased to be Out and About.

This maple in our yard, above, is a showstopper every year!

We both celebrated our birthdays this month (Jimmy turned 76, and he's nine days older'n me).  No party this year like last year's happening!  Instead, our bubble friends, Mary and Terry, came calling with this delicious cake.  The four of us played cards all afternoon -- laughing and having a jolly good time -- we counted this as one stellar day!

Thanksgiving day found us in Fair Oaks for a turkey feast!  

Matt:  The Chef

Eat up!  Tom, Alice (Jen's parents), Jimmy, Jen and Matt.  Evie is to the left out of the picture.  Turkey and all the fixins' with leftovers for tomorrow.  Life is good!  We feel so blessed to have family not too far away.  A truly special time, we know.

Our beautiful hostess and host.  They did a fantastic job.

Two Grammas and one cutie pie!

Mom 'n Matt

Nickie and Jimmy

The little one sits at a little table.  She loves having her two Grammas and two Grandpas, one Mommy and one Daddy in her house.  She enjoyed her turkey, too.  Heck, she enjoyed her entire day!

So, adios to November.  December will take care of itself.  Today (Dec 1st) is called Giving Tuesday.  After the pandemic began, Jimmy and I felt compelled to volunteer at Interfaith Food Ministry in Grass Valley -- we go in every Tuesday, restocking for distribution the next day.  With more people out of work and strapped, IFM needed extra help.  Our contribution is one small part of a whole, but we had the time and being of service to our fellows is what life is about, giving back, something we can do (all of us, I guess), especially now that many are suffering.

December:  Whatever comes our/your way,

I hope Santa won't leave coal in anyone's stocking!

Holbrooke Hotel, Thursday, 11/5/20

What a lovely day!  Warm with bright sunshine ... Jimmy and I knew to make the most of today because clouds will finally (FINALLY) move in overnight, temperatures will plunge and rain is possible, or (dare I say it?) even probable.  Fingers are crossed to end the many-months-long drought, and bring seasonal weather (instead of 80° temps).  We had plans for the entire day, including our usual brisk walk around the fairgrounds loop, a stop to visit shops in downtown Grass Valley, photographing brilliant fall tree color, and a tour of the newly renovated and reopened historic Holbrooke Hotel -- by reservation.  

Our walk was perfect.  We so appreciate that the fairgrounds was opened to walkers, hikers, bicyclists, and doggie people this week.  It's been closed since March and we missed being able to add this to our regular walking cycle.  It's flat and it's paved, accessible to all, and we saw lots of people enjoying their walks today, as well as a biker gang terrorizing the pathways (joke).  Little kids on their bikes were so darned cute.  Tree color here was at its peak.  The center pic and the purty orange tree in the collage are from the fairgrounds, as well as the pics above and below.

Downtown Grass Valley was next, with a visit to our friends at Stucki Jewelers who suggested Jimmy and I have lunch at MeZé, a Middle Eastern Eatery, and a most excellent choice.  Mill Street, the block-long main drag through town, has been transformed:  Closed to traffic, it's now attractively lined with flowering plants and picnic tables, and it's where we enjoyed our lunch.  So good and so filling.  In fact, I was almost too full to eat two complimentary chocolate chip cookies at the Holbrooke, but I managed. 😊 A trip across the street to The Book Seller finished our local business ... just in time for our tour of the Holbrooke.

Last week we learned that we could tour the soon-to-open hotel if we made a reservation, so I jumped on it.  The only other time we were in the (then-closed) building, water was leaking from the ceiling and it was in terrible shape.  Built in 1862, this two-story structure replaced the previous ones that burned to the ground.  It's gone through several owners and it fell into major disrepair, till the new company took it over and made it shine inside.  The next two pics I lifted from the 'net.

"This building has been made from canvas, wood, soil and stone, burned to the ground, rebuilt, renamed, and gussied up for innumerable guests. It’s seen gambling, gunfights, good times and bad. Fortunes made and pure gold lost. Haunted by rough cowboys and Victorian Madames, their secrets forever safe within the storied walls. Legend tells us even Prohibition didn’t stop the whiskey from being served in the Saloon."

"Over the years, the Holbrooke has hosted many famous guests that include U.S. Presidents Ulysses S. Grant, Grover Cleveland, Benjamin Harrison and James Garfield, and prize fighters “Gentleman Jim” Corbett and Bob Fitzsimmons. Authors Mark Twain and Bret Harte spent time here, surely watching the world go by from the Golden Gate Saloon. Rumor has it that the infamous highwayman Black Bart was a guest, sometime between stagecoach robberies and writing poems. On the right evening you might have encountered famous female entertainers Lola Montez, Lotta Crabtree or Emma Nevada in the lobby."

Today the tour guests were herded through every fifteen minutes -- plenty of locals wanted to see how the hotel looked with the remodel, and the overall consensus was "beautiful."

A Benjamin Moore Simply White paint (Jimmy asked) contrasted nicely with the hotel's raw structural elements of brick, wood and stone.  Though my camera didn't much like it.

I believe the guide said this is one of the longest operating barrooms west of the Mississippi River.

The original flooring was used wherever possible, accented with fabulous Persian rugs. 

Above, our guide is showing us one of the rooms.  We were shown several -- the Bridal Suite, Presidential Suite and one more -- and they all featured classic and modern touches with vintage furniture and fixtures, nicely done.

At least two of the rooms featured usable balconies, overlooking downtown's Main and Mill Streets intersection.  I wouldn't mind an overnight here!

Vintage touches.

After our tour, we drove the couple of miles to Nevada City, to the Rood Center, location of our county's government offices, because I figured the trees lining the entrance would be aflame, below.  Too bad, we were about two days late.  Still colorful, but past their peak. 

And when it's over, it's over.  Down they come.

Everywhere in town, all over these hills, autumn leaves sparkle in the sun.  This particular house is on a steep hill.

Late afternoon shadows come earlier and earlier in November -- lengthening before we're ready.  This last picture is looking down Nevada City's Broad Street, with Banner Mountain in the distance.  Time to go home.  What a fun day!  Tomorrow we'll warm by the fireplace, gaze hopefully out our windows at rain falling, and remember today's warmth.