Visiting my brother Al and his family in Truckee, CA rounded off our “brothers visits”, having visited all of our brothers on this cross-country trip. It’s been a joy to hang with my nieces Mia and Talia, as well as Al and Nancy in their beautiful log home in ski country near Lake Tahoe.
Our first day we did some bumpy 4-wheeling through Tahoe National Forest to Crystal Peak to pick quartz crystals. It was a treasure place for the girls, and for me, I must admit. A beautiful view and picnic as well.
The next day Kule and I ventured into the forest exploring back-country roads, an old railroad bed, and Boca Lake.
Lake Tahoe was our destination the third day. We drove around the lake and enjoyed the views of Emerald Bay and Eagle Falls.
Sunsets are always beautiful at L. Tahoe.
Al took us on a hike at Donner Lake, where I took in a very quick swim in the cool water, and Kule did some rope swing. We had the place to ourselves; we refrain from posting photos of our birthday suits.
Thanks, Al, Nancy, Mia, and Talia for a great time! We will probably be your neighbors soon, someplace out on this beautiful west coast.
On our way to Santa Cruz we wanted to see Nevada City; it has a good climate and deciduous trees, reminiscent of some old mill towns in New England. This was a big mining town during the gold rush. Al suggested checking out Malakoff Diggins, home of hydraulic mining for gold, that was eventually shut down because it destroyed downstream farmlands. I felt the emotion of seeing the earth destroyed and cheering the court decision to shut it down.
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| Malakoff Diggins |
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| Hydraulic Monitor |
Kule got gold fever and panned in the creek where gold still exists today. He did find gold, fool’s gold (pyrite)!
When the mines shut down N Bloomfield became a ghost town; it is a museum today, and we got to explore the general store and stay in an old cabin for the night. We took a spooky moonlit walk through the woods, making noise to alert the bear, and visiting the old school house, church, and the diggings.
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| Our haunted cabin |
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| N Bloomfield ghost town today |
Another gold mine in Nevada City is Ananda Village, a 800 acre village dedicated to the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda. We had a short tour and wonderful meditation here, and hope to return soon to explore this village and the community more later. Thanks to our tour host Krishna Das for the opportunities to exchange powerful blessings. We also heard more about Grass Valley, a neighboring town, as a potential place to live in spiritual community. More to explore....
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