Armed with the best book for our kind of road less traveled exploring, we left Nevada City for home traversing one of 65 itineraries on California's Scenic Byways.

We stopped at the South Yuba River State Park. Tucked away in scenic and historic Nevada County, this Park has a little something for everybody, which we plan to thoroughly explore when it's warm. The park boundaries meander for 20 miles along the river, and include four historic bridges, miles of hiking trails, and the nation’s only wheelchair-accessible wilderness trail, the Independence Trail. 
In the 1860s the Bridgeport bridge was constantly used day and night, with passenger and commercial traffic beating a path to the silver mines of Virginia City via the Henness Pass. Today at 229 feet, David Wood’s bridge is the longest single-span wooden covered bridge still in existence in the United States.
Early pioneers, the Kneebone family, lived here from the 1850s through the 1940s. Through the years, they ran a farm and ranch, built the stone walls still standing at Bridgeport, operated the barn to provide hay and rest for hardworking horses, worked as teamsters, and ran a swimming resort and gas station.
Continuing on our path, French Corral, the 1st of the historic mining camps to spring up along the ancient San Juan River channel, was settled in 1849 by a Frenchman who built a corral for his mules. Very soon afterward, it was discovered that the area was rich in placer gold, and a town quickly began. The brick walls of the old Wells Fargo Express office built in the 1850s and equipped with iron doors, and window shutters, which once guarded millions of dollars in gold against would-be robbers, looks as though it could stand for generations to come- the only visible memory of this once thriving town.
Each town we passed called out for an explore. Many promises were made to return and discover all the treasures that await our next road trip.
Anytime we can end a trip with a rainbow sighting, it's a very good trip!

Part of the allure of moving to Tahoe was that it offered us a whole new 100 mile radius of historic and fun towns to explore. For a pre-Valentine getaway, we chose the quaint mining town of Nevada City.

I fell in love, almost instantly, with this little town, which in its heyday (1849), was the largest and most prosperous mining town in our state.
After exploring, I have to agree with this description:

Nevada City is set among the tall pines, Victorian houses, and the many historical buildings.  The historic district includes 93 buildings that are listed with the National Register of Historic Places, and there are 18 landmarks that are also registered.  There are many quaint shops, an abundance of artistic pursuits, and so many superb restaurants, that Nevada City has been given the nickname of "Carmel of the Sierra Foothills".

Lunch was at the South Pine Cafe, with its unique dishes and cozy atmosphere. What I really thought was cool is that they serve Gratitude Bowls. This project, to feed the poor and hungry, has cooks using ingredients they have in abundance to create these meals.  Depending on seating availability and individual restaurant policies, gratitude bowls may be served to-go or with restaurant seating included.

The goal: "We hope to create a program that can both end hunger in our community today and serve as a model worldwide to lead towards the end of world hunger and a larger sense of family for all." We were thoroughly impressed!
I receive the Nevada City Chamber's Event email and it was the announcement of this play that actually brought us to town.

There is absolutely no way I can give this incredible production enough accolades. The Off Broadstreet Theater, itself, is worth visiting and to see such an exceptional show... wow! Talent, unique story line and intimacy that all came together and just blew us away. We will be back often.

For us, no trip to a historic town is complete without a visit to the cemetery. Meandering here at the Pioneer Cemetery (1851), during a downpour, seemed somehow appropriate.

One famous resident was Aaron A. Sargent (1827–1887), an American journalist, lawyer, politician and diplomat. He settled in Nevada City in 1850 and accomplished many things, including being elected to the United States Senate. In 1878, Senator Sargent introduced the 29 words that would later become the 19th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, allowing women the right to vote. Super cool history!
Our home for the evening was the delightful Broad Street Inn, a contemporary, eco-friendly, family run hotel nestled in an 1870 Victorian House.
This was my review: "This was our first trip to Nevada City and we found the Broad Street Inn to be an ideal place to stay. It was raining like crazy so we grabbed a bottle of wine, some take-away food and delighted in the downpour from the coziness of the well appointed Sun Room. Perfect!

The attention to detail is something we thoroughly appreciated, from the umbrellas to borrow to the luxurious showering supplies. Oh and the comfy pillows. 

We just returned home and we have already booked a return stay!" We loved this place!
While the weather was less than ideal, our visit to Nevada City was all that we had hoped: educational, welcoming, entertaining and really pretty perfect. We have booked a return for a date in the Summer. We look forward to enjoying patios and parks. This was a great introduction to a new town only 94.3 miles away.

Snow finally fell and our guest room is full. T & K spent the day skiing. Dinner at home with Betty and then off for a nightcap at our favorite beer place.

It is a short, albeit sweet, visit. I'm a happy mom!

While not all the 'Flat Denise' photos will make it in a post, they were all unique. Each person's perspective was creative. Nancy probably was one of the most diverse.

She made Flat Denise suitable for all occasions. I fit in perfect at the Oktoberfest.
Not wanting me to be alone for a dinner party, she included a Flat Steve. Don't we look dapper?
Her grandson even took me to his Eagle Scout award dinner. Hmm, I wonder how he felt about it.
Out of all of Nancy's submissions to the Flat Denise Project, this has to be the topper. She put me in scrubs and brought me into her knee surgery- to assist. Oh man, makes me laugh just thinking about that. Wild stuff.

In an effort to share my love of Sugar Pines, I volunteered to read the new children's book, The Happiest Tree in the Forest, in a local elementary school. Today was my first foray. It was a huge success.

Many of the students had never seen a Sugar Pine tree, so I had to show them how to identify one. These giant pines grow their cones at the end of their branches. Here's me being a Pinus lambertiana.
Would I have pictured myself reading to a group of students? Never before Tahoe and never before falling in love with the exceptional Sugar Pine.

For the last two days, I traversed back roads and Memory Lane with Jenny as we spent time with her parents in her childhood home (circa 1963).

Wednesday night ended with several games of Bingo at the Elks Lodge. What a fun group!


Jenny won $60, as did I but I didn't realize it until it was too late to yell "Bingo!". It wasn't a simple game, you had to have clusters of 8. I was confused and then disappointed. Fun, none-the-less!
Today was spent in thrift stores and Estate Sales. While great bargains were to be found, there is something very sad about seeing a life, once lived, reduced to a sale like these. The thing we did take away, besides awesome stuff, was that each home we visited revealed a life well lived.
We meandered back roads and saw so many interesting sights. This mailbox struck as both as something unique, demanding a stop. Miles in the car together, gave us better insight into each other. It was definitely a bonding experience and one I welcome again.

We love Bowling Dates with Casey and Linda. Mondays are $10 pizza, "3 games for the price of 2" and $9 pitchers of PBR at our local Tahoe Bowl. What more could anyone want?

I bowled one of my best games in a long time! Two spares and two strikes in a row... I was on fire. BUT only for one game!
Bowling is simple, wholesome fun. I love this sport. "It's not how you bowl, it's how you roll."

Three of my favorite "F" Words: Football, Food and Friends. Put them all together while watching an exciting game... TOUCHDOWN.

Len & Cyndy continue to be exceptional hosts. Great game with great guests!
Oh and the view was pretty spectacular, too. Definitely a Super Day.