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 favorite family activity for me, and any grandkids available!
In the past, we have made delightful explorations of the California Mother Lode, and California Coast. I won't let this coming summer escape without revisiting a place we haven't been in awhile.
In addition to the 1850 style towns and communities I have chronicled in recent months, nearby 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 addition to California Caverns, Amador boasts Black Chasm Cavern, Moaning Cavern, and the Sutter Gold Mine. All of these, plus Mercer Caverns in nearby Calaveras County, have wonderful cave or mine exploration capabilities available.
Moaning Cavern contains the largest vertical chamber in a public cavern that you can see in California. It is so large, the Statue of Liberty could be completely help within it! There are also California Zip Line experiences available at Moaning Caverns.
Black Chasm Cavern is another local spelunking treasure. In 1976 it was designated a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service. Black Chasm enchants visitors with a variety of stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones and crystals. Outside the visitor center, kids will love the gemstone mining at the mining flumes.
Sutter Gold Mine located on historic Highway 49 just north of Sutter Creek, south of Amador City is a modern hard rock mine at the site of several historic mines. Nearby Lincoln Mine from which Leland Stanford made his fortune facilitated his ability to found Stanford University and to partner in financing the Central Pacific Railroad.
For ALL California Cave and Mine Tours available in Amador County, you can visit the Cave and Mine Adventures website: http://www.caverntours.com
For more information on Mercer Caverns in nearby Calaveras County, you can visit: http://www.mercercaverns.com
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