We are going to visit Bob and Melinda who have a home in Grass Valley. They are avid travelers and wonderful friends. Their home is nestled in the trees. While outside on their patio we saw deer and wild turkeys. The sound of the creek is soothing and peaceful.
Bob was shocked to see that Becky and Steve had joined us from Idaho for a surprise visit.
Rob and Sarah took us out for a great day boating on Lake Wildwood.
How fortunate are we?!!
Robert has a crush on Mrs. Robinson. Who could blame him?
We were so happy to see Maggie and meet her new friend Scooter
Melinda and Bob are wonderful hosts and tour guides. While at the Empire Mine and took the Garden and Mine tours.
Although these yellow roses had already bloomed, we were informed the owner had traveled to Asia to bring them home. At the time only red and pink roses were available in the U.S.
The owners vacation home was on the property of the mine, however miners were not allowed on this part of the property. For obvious reasons the owners guests did not go to the mines either.
The rocks that were taken from the mine were broken down to golf size rocks. Then they were put under these to pulverize them.
The Empire Mine produced more gold than any other mine during the Gold Rush. At the height of production they made one gold bar every other day. How much does one gold bar weigh? Guess.
One gold bar that measures 4" x 3" x 10" weighs 69 pounds.
Our final day brought us to Bridgeport Historic Ranch on the Yuba River. This is the longest single span covered bridge in the United States at 229 feet.
These tolls are pretty steep but when you're on the major transportation route from the San Francisco Bay area to the gold mines of California and silver mines of Nevada, you pay up. They said at it's peak over 100 wagons per day crossed the covered bridge.
During the 1997 flood the waters of the Yuba River reached the roadway, causing significant damage.
The Kneebone family built this gas station in 1927. They sold gas for 12 cents a gallon along with fresh fruits and vegetables from their farm.
The barn was filled with wagons and
The road to the bridge was lined with rock walls built by Chinese laborers to constrain wagon teams and keep livestock contained. We ate some wild mulberries along the walk.
Bye bye Maggie and Scooter. Until next time.
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