We spent the long Memorial Day weekend in Arnold, a tiny town in the low hills of the Sierra mountains, for a break from the city. We stayed in a cabin surrounded by trees and ate our breakfasts on the deck enjoying the clean air.
The main reason to visit this area is the Calaveras Big Trees State Park, home to groves of sequoias, the largest trees in the world!
The weather was perfect for walking peacefully amongst the giant trees and enjoying all the forest sights and sounds. There were beautiful white dogwood flowers and many types of tiny flowers along the ground. It is always incredible to see these huge trees, some of which are thousands of years old!
On saturday evening we took a picnic blanket and went to Brice Station Vineyard for one of their live music evenings. We ate freshly made burgers, relaxed on the grass and listened to the Dave Luning Band play country music. It was great! I felt like we were in a movie…
We drove back to the Bay Area via Columbia State Historic Park, a preserved Gold Rush town, and wandered the wide streets, visited the little museum, enjoyed watching the people dressed in period costume, and even panned for gold! I think that was maybe the highlight of the trip. I can see how it might be addictive, the hope that you’ll find some gold and make your fortune…
It’s always nice to get away for a few days, and I love this season, the almost-beginning of summer, when everything is starting to bloom and nature is fully enjoying itself.
