Making the turn

First stop was the Donner Memorial.  Tragic set of circumstances led to their being stuck in the pass due to a huge snowstorm.  The snow height reached the top of the statue in the photo.  Also led to discussions about what it takes to be so hungry you'd eat a friend ... and what it took to be a pioneer and even consider heading West.

Stopped our westward travels in Auburn, CA and began the south and east return loop towards Helena by driving down the eastern edge of the Sacramento Valley along CA-49, presumably so named because it was in this valley in the American River where gold was first discovered at Sutter Mill by James Marshall on 24 Jan 1848.  This began the gold rush, 49ers, western trails, etc. etc.

Standing where the gold rush began!

 

Continuing south, we came to the cabin where Samuel Clemens, aka Mark Twain, began his writing career with the Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County based upon folks and locations he encountered while in this part of California.

 

 

Also made a culinary find in Diamond Springs, CA at the Firehouse Cafe, just across the street from, you guessed it, the fire station.  One thing I have learned from my travels over the years is that fire fighters know where to find the best grub - from Slippery Rock to Diamond Springs, they've never steered me wrong.  Toasty, drippy reuben for lunch!