myrl jeffcoat: The Colorful Past of Fiddletown in California Gold Country
- 07/18/13 12:49 PM
Several days ago, when granddaughter Macie and I were rambling around and through California Gold Rush towns, there was an opportunity to abandon the beaten path, and find our way into Fiddletown, a small hamlet one would likely miss, if not really looking for it.
Local legend tells the story of how the place got its name from early settlers arriving from Missouri, who fiddled during idle times - especially during summer when the creeks ran dry. A lack of water made mining an impractical adventure.
Fiddletown was a trading center for nearby mining camps and surrounding Shenandoah Valley farms, from about … (22 comments)
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myrl jeffcoat: Have You Wondered?
- 07/15/13 02:28 AM
Have you wondered how long it may be before housing inventory begins to expand, and satisfy homebuyers in search of their perfect home or investment? I know I certainly have. After weathering other real estate cycles like this one these past 3 decades, I have noted when housing recovery begins, new home builders usually wake from slumber and begin taking up the slack.
While contemplating the issue over the fence with this little guy in Fiddletown, California, I’m thinking, one day in the future, he’s going to be constructing a whole lot of something! How wonderful for him, that he lives in his … (13 comments)
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myrl jeffcoat: It's Not Only The Greater Sacramento Housing Market That's GONE WILD!
- 07/13/13 10:47 AM
While sitting here at my computer processing statistical information for Sacramento County Home Sales, I heard the familiar whup-whup-whup sounds of the Sheriff’s helicopter flying overhead.
Living as close to the American River as I do, I often hear the police aircraft hovering above during summer months, when rafters and other fun loving folks find a place to cool off in the water.
It was the prolonged period the whirlybird sound continued, that reminded me today is the Third Annual “Rafting Gone Wild” event. I put a hold on statistical analysis, grabbed the camera, jumped on my bicycle and headed for the river.
Just to prove … (11 comments)
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myrl jeffcoat: Murphy's - The Queen of The California Mother Lode
- 07/12/13 12:43 AM
Yesterday, my granddaughter Macie and I found a ribbon of road, which curls in a south easterly direction from Sacramento. We were in search of lunch in a different environment, and reminiscent of another time.
Highway 49 connects a daisy chain of delightfully colorful California Gold Rush towns - Amador City, Sutter Creek, Jackson, and several more.
While driving across rolling hills, with fields of golden grasses and vintage Oaks, Macie told of a place that served up great Lavender Lemonade in Murphy’s, the Queen of California Mother Lode towns.
Although, Murphy’s is about 98 miles from home, and a tad further than intended as … (15 comments)
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myrl jeffcoat: About Grandma Labels and Floating Troubles Away
- 07/10/13 10:48 AM
Even though I’m not much of a Kardashian fan or follower, I had to smile this morning. What caught my eye, was Kris Jenner reporting she had conjured a name she’d rather her new grandkid, North, would use instead of “Grandma.” The name selected, “Momager.”
I know a little something about coming of age as a grandmother, and maybe even fretting slightly at the “Grandma” title. I’ve been through it a few times myself. But, with little prompting my grandkids had the grace to bestow the title, “Nana.” However, during a couple years in the early 1990s, I was sometimes seen wearing … (28 comments)
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myrl jeffcoat: Not All That Glitters is Gold!
- 07/08/13 08:29 AM
One of the more fun things I sometimes do when friends and family from out of town come to visit, is to take them wading along the banks of the American River not far from home. Invariably we will come upon an area that sparkles gold along the shoreline. And just as predictably the California visitor will become wide-eyed with excitement. No, it isn’t what they think it is! It is instead Mica Pyrite or Fools Gold. Along the American River Parkway, several areas often dazzle newcomers and even those of us who have lived in the Greater Sacramento region for … (26 comments)
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myrl jeffcoat: Natural Air Conditioning Along the American River
- 07/05/13 10:09 PM
While Greater Sacramento thermometers were lingering at the century plus mark this week, the American River between Sunrise Bridge and Watt Avenue became a very popular place in Sacramento County.
It’s always cooler near the water, especially when breezes provide a natural air conditioning flow. If not rafting, wading or swimming, you can enjoy walking or biking the trails along the American River Parkway.
These scenes were shot yesterday, after the heat gave it a rest, and temps dipped into the 90s.
… (21 comments)
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myrl jeffcoat: The Nut Tree - Between Sacramento and San Francisco
- 07/01/13 06:12 AM
I honestly can’t remember a time when The Nut Tree along highway 80 corridor, in Solano County, wasn’t a welcome stopping off place between San Francisco and Sacramento.
My own kids remember the train rides, the restaurant, the vineyards, and the ice cream. There are also memories of the Corn Maze in autumn.
When the Nut Tree closed in 1996, it left a hole on the hearts of many, however in today’s world, with new owners and developers, there continues a spirit of keeping some historic leanings alive.
It was on a hot afternoon in July of 1921, that the catalyst … (21 comments)
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myrl jeffcoat: Why Cats Purr
- 06/29/13 04:01 AM
Why Cats Purr
If you hope to get an understanding about how money for scientific research grants can occur, let me tell you about an interesting article I found in the Scientific American.
It all began when curiosity about my kittens and why they purr got the better of me. So, I simply keyed into a Google search, “Why do cats purr?”
Sure enough several articles popped up. But it was a “Scientific American” piece titled “Why Do Cats Purr” published in January 2003 that caught my eye. Although we may be working with old data here, it presented interesting ideas.
While my belief has … (28 comments)
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myrl jeffcoat: Things to Consider!
- 06/28/13 05:32 AM
Without a doubt Sacramento has experienced weather whiplash this week. There has been rain, overcast and temps in the 70s at the beginning of the week, but a quick switch to a heat wave mid-week has temps near or at 100 degrees currently.
There is a couple of things that you may wish to be aware of as we approach this coming week and the 4th of July.
(1) Century plus temperatures are slated to escalate and peak near 106 – 108 degrees up through the 4th of July holiday. Greater Sacramento usually has humidity in the single digits this time of year, … (10 comments)
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myrl jeffcoat: What They Say About Fishing!
- 06/24/13 08:22 AM
I’m not much of a fisherman. I don’t like live bait, and I absolutely won’t clean a fish! Nope, I like my fish either Safeway wrapped, or otherwise ready for the frying pan. I can cook them ok, and I’ll certainly eat my share!
However, while riding my bike along the American River Parkway, I often enjoy scenes of folks floating cares away while enjoying their favorite sport.
For many it is true, “The worst day of fishing is better than the best day at work.”
… (31 comments)
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myrl jeffcoat: Marketplace Whiplash
- 06/21/13 03:40 AM
If you are living in Greater Sacramento, and have been getting whiplash while watching the nosedive of Wall Street numbers the past few days, I have some good news to temper your spirit. Zillow has reported Sacramento is leading the nation in the housing recovery, with home values that have increased 26% year over year!
The Sacramento Bee reports half of Sacramento homes are selling in 10 days or less. Increased values have created more equity sellers, rather than the glut of short-sale listings produced these past several years.
For those capable of purchasing homes, Greater Sacramento inventory is low. However for … (14 comments)
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myrl jeffcoat: Focusing on What Lies Beneath
- 06/19/13 12:52 PM
Last week when I wrote about a trip to San Francisco, I provided photo scenes of the city’s amazing landscape. There are so many delightful sights in and around San Francisco it can sometimes be difficult to focus in on the finer details, which can escape your eye.
For example, the following first picture is the underbelly of Golden Gate Bridge, as taken from the upper level of Fort Point, which dwells immediately under the south end of the bridge. The second picture was taken inside the Fort. It provides a glimpse of the bare bones of the walls inside this … (20 comments)
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myrl jeffcoat: Where and How to Get a FREE Roller Coaster Ride
- 06/16/13 07:20 AM
Where and How to Get a FREE Roller Coaster Ride?
Answer:
WHERE – San Francisco
HOW – Drive a car with no brakes
Last week while driving around San Francisco taking in the sights, I drove up to this spot in the road. Seriously, as I was approaching the spot, I couldn’t see the bottom of the hill.
The good news is that I have nerves of steel, and my car recently had a brake job! The views from certain locations around the city are exquisite!
… (20 comments)
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myrl jeffcoat: The Secret Beneath The Bridge
- 06/14/13 12:53 PM
Yesterday, when I wrote about traveling with a couple of grandkids into Sausalito, and across the Golden Gate Bridge, on into San Francisco, I didn’t mention I had a mystery to explore. I suspect most San Franciscans may already know it, and even a few folks, who live in other places. But, this secret was kept from me until a few years ago, although I’ve lived within a 100 miles of it all my life.
Take a look at this first picture. It’s a view you may have seen a number of times, either in person or from photos. You have the iconic Golden … (28 comments)
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myrl jeffcoat: Sausalito - A Place to Relax and Refresh
- 06/13/13 03:00 PM
The delightfully picturesque town of Sausalito provides stunning views of San Francisco Bay. The citizen population numbering about 7000, or so, is generally considered artistic and affluent. Quaint little shops and cafes line the main drive through town, and provides folks with a relaxed and refreshed state of mind.
I spent time there with grandkids today. The ultimate destination was San Francisco, via the Golden Gate Bridge. Sausalito is cradled just north of the bridge.
… (14 comments)
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myrl jeffcoat: Never in a Million Years!
- 06/09/13 01:06 AM
Back near the first of May, I posted a blog titled, “An Epic Adventure.” I was documenting the painting of two houses I was involved with – My house and a family member’s.
During the prep of the first home, 50 years of paint layers on the cedar shingle siding sometimes came off in a solid sheet. It was a little alarming and challenging to work with.
On my own home we didn’t encounter this problem, although I have the same type of cedar siding. However, we did find areas of dry rot, which we needed to address and repair.
Would I ever wish … (21 comments)
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myrl jeffcoat: The Wisdom of the Dalai Lama
- 06/05/13 01:01 PM
The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, answered, "Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result is that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived."
I take pictures for the purpose of remembering fond times. I do not impose copyright restrictions on this photo, so you may feel free … (21 comments)
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myrl jeffcoat: Was The Photo Taken Back in the Day – Or Was it Taken Yesterday?
- 06/02/13 12:36 PM
Was The Photo Taken Back in the Day – Or Was it Taken Yesterday?
The above photo was edited using the FREE on-line photo editing tools available at iPiccy.com. In addition to applying sepia tone, and some contrast, I selected the “Photo Effects” button and chose the “Old Photo” effect from the “Textures” area.
The original picture was taken in the historic California Gold Rush town of Columbia, California.
I take pictures for the purpose of remembering fond times. I do not impose copyright restrictions on this photo, so you may feel free to use, or distribute as you wish. However, … (18 comments)
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myrl jeffcoat: The Rich Railroad History of Colfax
- 05/28/13 11:12 PM
As one travels eastward along highway 80 from Sacramento to the Nevada border, they travel through Colfax.
For the most part, there is always a time constraint, which quickly calls beyond when I come to this stretch of the interstate; but this past Sunday, I decided to tarry and delve more deeply into the history of this little California town.
Colfax was originally known as Camp 20, and housed workers tasked with building this section of the transcontinental railroad in the mid 1800s.
Sacramento merchants, known as “The Big Four” believed a railroad could offer potential benefit. These men were Leland Stanford, Mark … (13 comments)
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Several days ago, when granddaughter Macie and I were rambling around and through California Gold Rush towns, there was an opportunity to abandon the beaten path, and find our way into Fiddletown, a small hamlet one would likely miss, if not really looking for it.
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