The Buzz

We had a relative visiting from New Hampshire recently, and as good hosts do, we took her all around the area to see the sights. It was during this week-long adventure of daily excursions that I was reminded of what a plethora of wonderful natural sights and adventures Placer County and the surrounding area have to offer. All too often we get tied up in our busy lives and don't take the time to appreciate the beauty in nature all around us. There is truly so much to encounter just minutes from our doorsteps.

In one week's time, we were able to take in the wonder of the Foresthill Bridge along the Foresthill Divide and all the stunning canyon and river views, a closer look at the American River, Upper Lake Clementine and the amazing waterfall created by the dam, Overlook Park with a view to the canyon and dam site, another beautiful canyon view at Canyon View Overlook (off of Maidu), and a gorgeous Sunday drive along highway 49 where we stopped to check out the true heart of Gold Country, Sutter's Mill and Marshall Gold Discovery site. We also squeezed in a stroll in Old Town Auburn where we checked out several of the quaint shops and had a nice meal (along with beer for the men and cider for the ladies) at The Auburn Alehouse. Finally, we took a few hours to check out the museum in the Courthouse building where you can see the collection of Placer County's gold nuggets as well as lots of other items and books about the history of Gold Country.

Venturing outside of Placer County, we continued on 49 beyond Placerville where we eventually ended up in Amador county and (finally!) made it to Daffodil Hill (just outside Volcano, CA) to see the daffodils in full bloom. This was a somewhat long, windy drive to see a "quaint", but not neccesarily "breathtaking" sight. However, the discovery of a daylily flower farm/nursery and more importantly, a dozen or more wineries all nestled in a hilly area of Amador County, was worth the drive. I can only imagine the flower farm will be stunning when all the lilies are in full bloom and the nursery offered all sorts of flower and plant varieties that you don't find at your average box-store nursery. The wineries offer spendid views of vine-covered knolls, one after the other, and at least a day's worth of tasting!

Back in Auburn, we headed North on Highway 80 and up to Meadow Vista where we took a nice drive along Placer Hills Road and eventually down Plumtree Lane where the wonderful views of Bear River awaited us. Down in the canyon along the river, we were surrounded by Pine trees reaching up to the clouds. This is perhaps my favorite spot around here. It is a simple and serene surrounding. The crackling of the river over the rocks and the blue dragonflies dancing over the river always remind me that I am exactly where I want to be; home.

We also took the time to show our guest the lovely communities of Grass Valley and Nevada City. Both towns offer nice window-shopping opportunities. As a musician, I was especially excited about the World Instrument shop that we discovered in Nevada City as well as a neat little father-daughter art studio offering children's wall art, cards, bookmarks, etc.

After our week of discoveries, our visitor was most impressed by all the breathtaking views just minutes from our home in Christian Valley. She couldn't believe that some of these stops were just "side trips" along the way to a final destination.

If you haven't taken the time to find out about all the wonderful opportunities for outdoor adventure in our little paradise, you might be surprised to learn all that Placer County has to offer. According to the 2007 Placer County Citizens' Report, Placer County...

Has hundreds of miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding

Has the largest concentration of world-class ski resorts in US

Has many lakes for boating, swimming, fishing and camping

Is home to the Tevis Cup 100-mile Hourse Endurance Race

Is home to the Western States 100-mile Endurance Run

Is in the heart of histroic Gold Rush country

Has 6 museums

In my estimation, everything described above is just a sampling of what the outdoors has to offer in our area . We didn't even make it up to the Sierra Nevada and Lake Tahoe afterall, but that awe-inspiring trip will be reserved for the next visit!

Looking forward to Dakota Sid guesting tomorrow, Thursday, on KAHI CONNECTIONS.  Sid "grabs the audience in the gut" says Bill Varbie of the Medford Mail Tribune so we shall see.  At 9:30am Jim Linsdau, Publisher of the Foresthill Messenger and fellow golfer George Kazezski guest on THE GOLF CONNECTION; and at 10am I head over to Courthouse Coffee to enjoy the post-program connections where Barry Stigers, Liz Pope and Dina Farr usually drop in.  Should the weather clear up, I'll point the golfmobile in the direction of  The Ridge to practice the swing and putting so I can be on point Friday when I join up with pal Donna Arz for an enjoyable experience out on the green carpet.  Home Sweet Home

March is a fascinating month, there's so much to celebrate besides
fluffy pink bunnies, green Leprechauns and religious observances.
Not to take the importance away from the religious aspects, or for
that matter the chocolates bunnies, marshmallow Peeps, four leaf
clovers, and green beer, but I found out that this is also a special
month to celebrate America's culture as we know it today.

While doing some quick research about March, I found a substantial
amount of information to support additional potential holidays. We
as American's should value these potential March holidays equal to
the existing holidays that tout fluffy stuffed bunnies in flowery
baskets, and the donning of green hats while dancing an inebriated
jig.

My research found that Congress authorized the creation of
Yellowstone National Park March 01, 1872, and that George Washington
and Congress created the US Navy, March 27, 1794. These potential
holidays would be a little harder to celebrate and sell to kids, but
I feel each are substantially more important than Peter Rabbit and
Leprechauns. And how is it that we don't have a day of recognition
for one of the most important discoveries in American history that is
a used daily by millions... Alexander Graham Bell's patent on March 7
that was first successfully used three days later on March 10,
1876...the telephone. Where is Telephone Day, it should be ringing
in not only as just an American holiday, but as a world holiday as
well.

Then there's that cookie celebratory day of when the Girl Scouts of
America organization was founded, March 12, 1912...now THAT's a holiday
where we should be wearing green and eating artery-clogging cookies.
Maybe we should remember March 18, 1931 when Schick Inc. marketed the
first electric razor...na-a-a...today's scrubby unshaven look might trump
that. But wait, there's more. We missed this possible holiday;
Americans could celebrate by dressing-up like your favorite actor or
actress Hollywood red-carpet style to commemorate the first movie
show shown to an audience on March 22, 1895. Hey, regardless of all
the rest, the one that brings light to this potential holiday subject
is the non-celebrated Wabash, Indiana first...the first town to be
illuminated by electric lights, March 31, 1880. So tell me, how did
all these wonderful holiday ideas escape our attention or the Unions
for that matter?

So be honest with yourself deep down inside, wouldn't you rather be
celebrating all those American cultural holiday's verses some huge
scary bunny hopping around delivering smelly dyed eggs that nobody
likes to eat after the color seeped through the cracked shells; or
creepy little green men who make shoes even though they could buy the
Nike Corporation with a fraction of their horded gold? Regardless of
the American cultural significances of what happen in March, I'm
still trying to figure out how Easter's religious observances morphed
into commercialized chocolate bunnies, dyed eggs, flowery baskets,
and wearing new pretty dresses (could you tell I have daughters), go
figure!

It's understood that egg toting rabbits and little green men dwell in
childhood imaginations, but there are adventurous real places in this
world to visit that would challenge the average American adult's
imagination. This month's edition of Gold Country Families E-
Magazine will do just that; allow us to travel beyond our boarders to
catch a glimpse of some true travel adventures. We will be back
exploring our own American backyard next month. Enjoy!

Happy St. Patty's Day and Happy Easter,

Patrick Witz
Editor/Publisher
Gold Country Families E-Magazine
A FREE Internet Travel, Entertainment, & Leisure Magazine
editor@goldcountryfamilies.com
http://www.goldcountryfamilies.com/