Gold Country...

Spontaneously we decided to join Amma, Papa and Aunt Lindsay on a quick trip to Angels Camp, about 7 hours from home, to visit some family friends. We left early Tuesday morning and headed north to a place that once was booming with men hoping to make it rich on Gold. We spent Wednesday visiting a gold mine that will soon be operating again, but for now is a tour. Jaelynn and I were unable to take the tour because Jaelynn was just a bit small to wear a hard hat. ( We look forward to going again one day when she is a bit older. ) While we waited for everyone to return from the tour, we talked to a man who was demonstrating how to pan for gold. He was full of stories and information about the men and women who came to California in hopes of returning home filthy rich. Very few ever did! It was suprising to hear how much men were willing to pay to have there clothes washed or a hot meal. Women were scarce in the mining camps and men were so desperate for something as simple as a homemade pie that they would pay as much as $200 for one. Our vacation was short but pleasurable, plus Jaelynn and I missed Daddy very much who had to stay home and work.