amador county: After the Storm, a Pleasant Drive
- 01/30/21 02:07 PM
After a few days of high winds, and extremely ugly weather here in Sacramento, the sun and blue skies peeking through the kitchen window this morning, were a welcome sight. It was a pleasant opportunity for my grandson Baron and I to find a seat in the car and go for a little drive.
There was no particular destination in mind, but somehow, we found our way to the little Gold Rush town of Fiddletown.
Cradled in the rolling hills of Amador County, Fiddletown is a restful place, that allows a few steps back in time. The sleepy little 1850s settlement is … (25 comments)
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amador county: California's Shenandoah Valley
- 11/12/14 12:28 AM
California’s Shenandoah Valley, cradled in the rolling hills of Amador County, is a restful place in our state’s Gold Country. The sleepy little 1850s settlement of Fiddletown is barely changed from earlier decades.
With the gold discovery in 1848, Amador County’s Shenandoah Valley became a key element to the California winemaking history. Vineyards and wineries sprang up almost immediately to cater to the young and single men, who had come to the area seeking their fortune. In recent years, Amador County has increasingly become known as a premier grape and wine region.
One of my longtime favorites of these, Shenandoah Vineyards, has a delicious Orange Muscat, … (15 comments)
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amador county: There's Gold in Them Thar Hills!
- 03/26/12 07:40 AM
California is known for the gold discovery, which acted as catalyst for hoards of pioneers and wagon trains finding their way into this state, after James Marshall discovered the golden ore at Sutter’s Mill in 1849. However, there is another golden treasure in the hills of the California Mother Lode. Each year at this time, Amador County comes alive with an explosion of yellow Daffodils.
It all happens at Daffodil Hill, cradled in the quaint little Mother Lode town of "Volcano."The 4 acre farm has been in the McLaughlin family since 1887. During the past two decades, … (17 comments)
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amador county: California Caverns & Mine Tours - A Great Family Adventure
- 01/30/11 11:55 AM
With several days of dreary fog, and then rain today, to say I have visions of getting out there to explore the world would be an understatement! There are so many great places in the Greater Sacramento Vicinity, and still more amazing places within a 100-mile radius of our city. It's natural to be itching to be on the road again. Several days ago, I blogged a title, "Banking With Magellan." It mentioned my method of banking road trips I hope to make when either time or weather again permit. Packing a picnic lunch and heading for adventure, is a … (18 comments)
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amador county: Volcano - Another Mother Lode Treasure Trove
- 04/11/10 01:41 AM
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After visiting Daffodil Hill a few days back, with a daughter and three granddaughters, we literally fell into the little town of Volcano - 2 miles away.Volcano (Formerly Soldier's Gulch) is another of those little Gold Rush gems, which provides rich color to the Wild West era tapestry. It is considered by many to be one of the most picturesque of the Mother Lode towns.Dating back in history to the late 1850s, the town was originally nicknamed "Crater City." Early miners noticed the lay of the land was a bowl-shaped valley, which caused them to believe … (24 comments)
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amador county: The Hills Come Alive with Golden Yellow
- 04/09/10 01:40 PM
Every year at this time, the hills come alive with an explosion of yellow in Amador County. The place where it all happens is Daffodil Hill near the little Mother Lode town named, "Volcano."I have been spending time with a few of my granddaughters these past few days; and it seemed appropriate to pack a picnic and pay homage to the blossoms:-)The 4 acre farm has been in the McLaughlin family since 1887. During the past two decades, the family has planted 6,000 new bulbs each year, continuing the family tradition and legacy. Over 300,000 bulbs are estimated to now populate … (25 comments)
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amador county: Exploring Earth's Under Belly - Caves Caverns and Mines
- 08/21/09 12:31 AM
I certainly didn't have the desire to allow summer to pass without covering nearly every square inch of Amador Gold Rush country. But, there was yet another adventure which begged to be explored. In addition to the 1850 style towns and communities I have chronicled in recent weeks, Amador County is also rich in cave, cavern and mine tour adventures.California Caverns (pictured above) is among my favorite of spelunking experiences. Native Americans knew of its existence long before the arrival of westerners. Bret Harte, Mark Twain and John Muir were early visitors in the Gold Rush era. It was opened for public tours in 1850.In … (14 comments)
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amador county: Volcano - A Gold Rush Era Gem
- 08/18/09 09:05 AM
We literally fell into the little town of Volcano, after exploring the Indian Grinding Rock State Park in Amador County last week. The distance between the two is a mere few miles.Volcano (Formerly Soldier's Gulch) is another of those little Gold Rush gems, which provides rich color to the Wild West era tapestry. It is considered by many to be one of the most picturesque of the Mother Lode towns.Dating back in history to the late 1850s, the town was originally nicknamed "Crater City." Early miners noticed the lay of the land was a bowl-shaped valley, which caused them to … (14 comments)
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amador county: Amador City - Rich Gold Rush Era History
- 07/21/09 04:41 AM
As one travels East on Highway 16 from Sacramento, they journey through little California Gold Rush era towns with names like Slough House and Bridge House, before reaching the Highway 49 turnoff heading south. About 35 miles from Sacramento, travelers reach Amador City, three miles south of Dry Town, 2 miles north of another historic community, Sutter Creek, and just 4 more miles on into Jackson.A favorite activity I have with a few of my grandkids, is to have them visit me for a "Paint Your Wagon" weekend. For those of you who remember the old 1970s Lee Marvin movie by that name, you will recall it … (16 comments)
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amador county: Speechless Sundays - California Caverns
- 02/14/09 08:10 PM
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amador county: Speechless Sundays - Just a Simple Shed
- 02/07/09 09:34 PM
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amador county: Speechless Sundays - Daffodil Hill
- 01/31/09 04:01 PM
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After a few days of high winds, and extremely ugly weather here in Sacramento, the sun and blue skies peeking through the kitchen window this morning, were a welcome sight. It was a pleasant opportunity for my grandson Baron and I to find a seat in the car and go for a little drive. 
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