Weekend in Gold Country

Annie and I spent the weekend in Amador County, the area in the Sierra Foothills where the Gold Rush started in 1849.  In 2008, we found the area full of beautiful landscapes, quirky pioneer-era towns, and chock-full of interesting people making art.  Like the shot above, for instance, found outside a sculptor's studio in Sutter Creek.

We took nice walks at sunset and sunrise.  Here is a shot of Sutter Creek's Main Street as the sun is slipping below the hills.  The Old West architecture, still functional after all these years, was interesting and enjoyable.

Here is the inside of the Volcano General Store.  I don't think it has changed in 50 years.

I'm reasonably confident that the average tourist does not take this photo of old paint on a brick wall, which we spotted in an alley on an evening stroll through Sutter Creek.  But I loved it.

These metal doors were a feature on most of the old buildings.  They were up off the ground because when these places were built, all deliveries were made by horse-drawn wagon, and this is the perfect height for unloading from such a vehicle.  And we learned they are made from metal not to protect against gunfire, but from kerosene fire.

We stayed here, at the Imperial Hotel, in the room on the upper right.  It's located in Amador City, about 2 miles up Rte. 49 from Sutter Creek.

Here is a nice shot of Amador City at dusk.

Each morning we took a 3 mile walk around the foothills surrounding Amador City.  Imagine rolling hills dotted with California Oaks.  For mile and miles.

Old cars and mining equipment were tucked away for eternity in these hills.  Here is Annie checking out an old brown truck.

Perhaps that truck once drove down this country road.  I was walking down this road 24 hours ago - with the warm California sun on my back, watching deer graze in the meadows, and turkeys awkwardly crossing the road....It was a lovely trip. 

Comments

[suz Broughton]

Love these. Especially the one with Annie and the old car. Beautiful!