Monday, May 23, 2011

The Hidden California

Hubby and I took a day trip recently.  I wanted to visit some more counties for my other blog.  It turned out not to be a great day for photography, the air had a lot of haze.  It was still a good day to visit some new places.
                             Our first stop was the little town of Colusa on the Sacramento River.  Where's Colusa?




Colusa has the second oldest operating courthouse in the state.  Can you make out the golden bear in the pediment?  That is the symbol of California and is on our flag.  It dates from the brief period when we declared our independence from Mexico, before we joined the United States.   California was the "Bear Flag Republic".

What is the oldest operating courthouse?  Mariposa, I guess I should check out their courthouse.




There was a lot going on, a quilt show and a civil war reenactment.  It looked like the whole community had turned out.














There was even a carriage drawn by a handsome pair of draft horses. We didn't stay for the reenactment, we had other places we wanted to see.







 We headed off into the coast range, a land of rolling hills, cattle and few people.  I felt like I had stepped back in time to a California that once was.


We stumbled upon the tiny hamlet of Lagoda, the sign said "population 15".  I just loved these whimsical sculptures, they seemed to be made of cast concrete.  Several houses had them.








The area wasn't completely unknown, there were several groups camped along the East Park Reservoir and some fishermen out on the lake.
My pictures weren't what I was hoping for, few were of the quality I like for "Around California" but it was a great day just the same.  The more I poke into the remote corners of California the more I enjoy it.


See more of our wonderful world at That's My World, Tuesday, hosted for us each week by Klaus, Sandy, Wren and Sylvia.

8 comments:

Gaelyn said...

Looks like a fun little festival. Love the coastal range. Ever been out to the Eel River in the Hidden Mts?

Sylvia K said...

I love to follow your "exploring" trips! You always have such great photos and share such interesting information! Todays post is a perfect example! Looks like a fun day! Hope you have week full of fun days, Martha! Enjoy!

Sylvia

Barb said...

And I'm enjoying it, too! I especially like the population signs in some of the small bergs we're passing through.

Janie said...

The sculptures in the tiny town were interesting. Love the photo of the rolling hills and the lake.

Amy said...

What a fabulous day and your pictures are lovely. I would have died and gone to history and quilters heaven had I been with you. Neat combo of stuff!

jabblog said...

So much to explore - wonderful:-)

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I love a good day trip! And that was an excellent one. Did you know about the reenactment before you went? Or was it wonderful serendipity? The pix are OK -- told a great story and therefore I'd be happy with them (but I know why you are not!

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Road Trip. I love yours. I love the horses with the carriage.