Small Town Wine Bar in California’s Smallest Incorporated City
Updated 11/4/23, original post published 1/30/18 Whenever I hear about someone closing their business, it always makes me a little ...
Most Viewed Posts of 2019
It's that time again when I get to write one of my favorite posts -- the most viewed posts of ...
No More Views of Spring at Daffodil Hill in Volcano
I've been reading a lot lately about overtourism but who would think a sleepy little place like Volcano, CA, could ...
Black Chasm Cavern: Amador County Hidden Gem
UPDATE: This post was originally published on April 18, 2017 and has been updated on May 24, 2019 to reflect ...
25 Extraordinary Things to do in Amador County from a Local
Beautiful Amador County, with an elevation range of 250 feet to over 9,000 feet, is in the heart of the ...
Epic 40-day California to Texas RV Itinerary
When I finally pulled away from the home I had lived in for the past four years in Pine Grove, ...
Most Viewed Posts 2018 Edition
This is one of my favorite posts to do each year. It is so fun for me to look back ...
Things to do in Bakersfield in Three Days
When you think of Bakersfield, do you think of a place to visit and explore? No? Me neither! When I ...
Notes from an RV Newbie’s First Weekend on the Road
If you have been following my blog, you know that just before my birthday I made a life changing decision ...
Mercer Caverns: A Top Attraction in Murphys, CA
My friend Joy and her husband were here visiting for a few days from Southern California so I planned some ...
Amador City: Where to Eat, Stay and Play
Although Amador City is the smallest incorporated city in California, covering less than a square mile, it has lots to ...
Things to do in Murphys CA — More than Wine Tasting
If you haven't been to Murphys, you should definitely add it to your list of places to go in California's ...
Amtrak from Sacramento to San Francisco
Amtrak -- Sacramento to San Francisco -- who knew? Certainly not me. At least not until recently. I've lived here ...
Oysters and Smoked Meats at Jamison’s Ale House
The first time I went to Jamison's Ale House and Oyster Bar in Amador City, CA, I knew I would ...
A Glimpse into Local History during Sutter Creek Heritage Days
Sutter Creek Heritage Days I think I saw more of Sutter Creek in a few hours during Heritage Days than ...
Roaring Camp Saturday Night Cookout Experience
Of all the things I've done so far in Gold Country, one of my favorites is the Roaring Camp Saturday ...
Imperial Hotel Amador City: Nobody Famous Slept Here
Amador City, population 200, was a booming town during the California gold rush. The Keystone Mine was one of the ...
Mushroom Farm Tour — Dragon Gourmet Mushrooms
UPDATE 2/15/22: Dragon Gourmet Mushrooms is permanently closed! Ryker retired in August and sold his equipment. Mushrooms are one of ...
Riding the Rails by Motorcar in Amador County
When I first saw information about the motorcar ride in Ione, CA, I was intrigued. The stable where I had ...
Dog & Pony Ranch: Luxurious Gold Country Vacation Rental
It's been two decades in the making but Troy and Cyndi Harrell's dream has finally come to fruition. They recently ...
Volcano, CA: Where to Eat, Stay and Play
Volcano is located in Amador County in the sierra foothills of Northern California's Gold Country. It is surrounded by natural ...
Wildflowers to Snowshoeing in 30 Minutes or Less
When I lived in Southern California, I lived near the beach and loved that I could be in the mountains ...
Wildflower Train: Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
I have always been fascinated by rail travel and just love riding a train any chance I get. That hasn't been ...
Electra Road Wildflowers Take a Hike from Ordinary to Extraordinary
Hiking on Electra Road is not a very traditional hike or much of a challenge, but it is an excellent ...
Animal Enrichment at the Sacramento Zoo
I have always loved going to the zoo. When I lived in Southern California, I went to the San Diego ...
Awe Inspiring Giant Sequoias in Calaveras Big Trees State Park
Seeing the giant coastal redwoods (sequoia sempervirens) has always been on my bucket list. You would think that someone who has ...
Everything Nice at Allspicery
Recently, the Saucy Sisters cooking group took a foodie field trip to Sacramento to visit, among other places, Allspicery. When Jan, the ...
Lumberjack Day in West Point, CA
You never know what you are going to run into when you are traveling around Gold Country. Yesterday I was ...
Old West Music at Scofield’s Cowboy Campfire
Back in March I went to see Dave Stamey at The Call in Pine Grove. I had been wanting to see him ...
Amador Flower Farm Daylilies
I've said it before, but I just have to say it again. I'm discovering that plants from bulbs have the most spectacular ...
Bluebird Haven Iris Garden
On our way back from Toogood Estate Winery in Fairplay, the Vineyard Vixens stopped at Bluebird Haven Iris Garden. We ...
Volcano, CA: Perfect for a Walking Tour
How Volcano Got its Name When I first moved to Pine Grove in beautiful Gold Country and learned there was a ...
Cronan Ranch Trail Ride on Multi-Use Trails
When it comes to getting up and getting out, the one thing I did a lot of in Southern California ...
Gold Country: What and Where Is It?
Northern California's Gold Country, also known as the Mother Lode, encompasses ten counties that lie along the western slope of ...