I’m not saying I’m lazy, but…I do like to keep things close, especially when I’m driving. When we were leaving McKinley Park, Marlene suggested we go to the William B. Pond Recreation Area which was close to where we were going to eat lunch.
This park is named after the first Regional Parks Director, William B. Pond and is a man-made lake. We first went down the stairs to the viewing area. From there we saw the lake, ducks, and geese. The highlight for me was the standoff between two Mallards and their mates. We then walked along the river, shooting puddles and sights.
Before we left, we walked over the bridge for another vantage point and saw to cyclists each on what would be a low profile tricycle. You’ll see the image.
I still can’t believe that I had never been to these two beautiful areas that were so close. Sacramento has a lot to offer in recreation in addition to the American and Sacramento Rivers. It was a day of fun and we didn’t have to drive a distance to get there. Again, I’m not lazy; just practical!
Down the stairs to the viewing area. Marlene is capturing some alone time.
Sacramento does have Fall Foliage.
On the bridge looking down on a fisherman.
Another beautiful capture. The clouds were awesome.
River view from the bridge.
The cyclists.
Looking at the lake from the viewing area.
Look how calm the lake is to show a mirror reflection.
In flight.
While we were walking along a path.
Here’s Marlene, her shadow and reflection.
The one on the left turned to leave. This took a few minutes. Ducks are stubborn. I’m wondering what it was all about!
There are some mornings like this. You wake up about 4 a.m. and just can’t get back to sleep. Rather than tossing and turning, it’s better to put the extra morning hours to good use–like writing this blog before I go on a photo outing.
Speaking of photo outings, let’s return to Lake Tahoe and the second day. We got a slow start, but that was okay because we weren’t in a rush. Our goal was to visit Fallen Leaf Lake, meeting our hosts there. Since we left before them, we stopped at the Tallac Historic Site. The Baldwin Estate was a rustic home set on the beach. The house was closed that morning, but I think they give tours during the summer season. Then we went on to Fallen Leaf Lake.
To get to the lake, you need to drive a narrow, curvy road with many single lanes. I was amazed that there were so many homes up there. Marlene did an excellent piloting job. However we didn’t realize that there were two lakes and our hosts went to the upper lake. No cell service. No getting in touch with them.
After deciding we didn’t want to share our lunch with wasps, we drove back down the hill to the Emerald Bay overlook named Inspiration Point. There we were entertained by a gentleman who was “singing for his supper” or so his sign said. In Emerald Bay you could still see the deep blue color of the water. Because of the drought, the lake’s water level was down. Fortunately, because Lake Tahoe is deep, its beauty shines on.
You can see for yourself!
The Baldwin Estate.
Bench on the estate grounds.
A bench with a view.
A closer look at the view.
The beach at the Tallac Historic Site.
Up at Fallen Leaf Lake, dogs are having fun in the water.
Oh, sorry to leave you right in the middle of Fiddletown, (Where we left off in my last post.) but we will leave once I tell you how it got its name.
Founded in 1849, the town mainly served as a trading camp for the many mines in the area. A popular mining technique, placer mining, was heavily dependent on water. Dry Creek, the local water source, ran dry in the summer months, meaning the miners couldn’t work. It is said that the miners would fiddle around, and the town became known as Fiddletown. Not happy with his town’s name, a local resident lobbied to have the name changed to Oleta (his daughter’s name). This name stood until his death in 1932 when the name Fiddletown was restored.
Embracing the name, residents are not idle. They have fund raisers to support renovations for historic landmark buildings, a Living History Day and a Fiddlers Jam. I’m hoping that some day they will put in a proper public restroom!
Now we will leave Fiddletown and head down to D-Agoustini Reservoir enjoy your journey!
The main action in Fiddletown. From left: The firehouse, community center and library.
The big fiddle sits on the Community Center’s roof.
A closer look at the fiddle.
A bench at the Community Center.
A building across the street.
A rusted old safe on the porch of the building.
Old wagon wheels also on the porch.
I just liked the way this tree framed the building.
Fence ornament. The fence probably hasn’t been opened in years.
An old house with rusted statues.
An old boat abandoned at D-Agoustini Reservoir
A farm house across the lake.
Remnants of trees in the lake.
Reeds and moss ad color to the water.
Looking across the lake.
Dead but still pretty and shapely.
The colors on the lake shine in the water.
Do you see the prehistoric bird eating something here?
It was Tuesday with seniors. I was still hobbling. it was the three of us me, Marlene and Greg. But, we took a different course into Plymouth and Fiddletown.
I’ve been to Plymouth, but not to photograph the sights. We used to square dance and went to a yearly festival there. And, just the name Fiddletown was attraction enough for me. So off we went, with Greg taking us down every back road he knew! I was still in the back seat with my foot up.
Plymouth is a city in Amador County, and the 2010 census shows a population of 1,005. This is a very small town with the downtown area maybe three blocks long. It looks like they are trying to create an upscale yet old look with new construction on the main street.
This is in contrast to Fiddletown where the main drag shows buildings empty and almost falling down. A census designated community in Amador County, Fiddletown’s population was 235 as of the 2010 census. It is registered as a California Historical Landmark and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. But, it has a charm to it.
Our guide, Greg, also took us to D-Agonstini Reservoir which I thought was a large pond! And we had crossed the county line into El Dorado County. I’m sure I mentioned in a previous post that you never know where you’ll end up when Greg is driving!
So that’s where our course took us last week. See for yourself in this two-part post.
The Well Fargo bank in an old but modernized building.
Some rusted locks and door handles.
An old gas pump.
A bench on main street near where we ate lunch.
I hadn’t seen one of these in ages!
The old school house in Fiddletown.
The children used an “out” pass instead of a hall pass when they needed to go to the bathroom. These are behind the old school house.
A cemetery across from the school house.
An old brick building that has a lot of rustic charm.
Another old brick building.
The Chew Kee Store (a Chinese herbal shop) established in 1850.
An animal skull on a phone pole in front of a residence.
Memories, they’re those warm, wonderful, sad and fearful feelings that emerge when you think of something from the past. Shooting with Leanne Cole, an Australian photographer, is something I looked forward to, totally enjoyed and now is a fond, beautiful memory.
You see, I met Leanne online by following her blog when I first got my D3100 three years ago. During that time I’ve seen her morph her photography business into what it has become today. She’s an amazing photographer, artist and now publisher of Dynamic Range–a magazine about and for women photographers. We’ve corresponded since meeting on the blog with her giving me encouragement and advice. Hopefully I’ve been able to do the same for her–well more encouragement, not advice! It is truly a small world.
We, Leanne, her friend Nicci and I, had a delightful day in Santa Cruz, Capitola and Monterey. The three of us fit; it was as if we had gone shooting together before. In fact, Nicci and I hit it off and will go shooting again. I’ve added an Australia visit to my bucket list, and I’m crossing my fingers that I’ll get there.
In the meantime, I’ll have the memories of that fun day shooting with my new friends.
Welcome to the boardwalk and pier.
This guy is showing off for the photographers walking by. Of course I took the shot!
People having fun on the beach.
This boy is testing the water.
A dad and toddler.
The seals rest under the pier.
The end of the Santa Cruz pier.
The Boardwalk amusement area.
The lovely colors of Capitola beach.
A photographer shooting a photographer as he shoots a model.
This bird is at home in the foam.
Moving on.
Mom and kids walking past the row of colorful houses.
Under the Capitola pier.
The Capitola pier.
We weren’t the only ones enjoying the Monterey sunset.
Nicci as she shoots the sunset. I sent her this image and she put it on her blog. I’m so glad she likes it.
More sunset and a bit of water trapped in the rocky coastline.
If you’re lucky you have earth angels, you know, the people who are always there for you no matter what. I’m fortunate to have had three. Judy was there when we were young, raising our children. She’s never forgiven me for moving away. We don’t talk often, but she’s in my heart. My two other earth angels are celebrating their birthdays this week.
They are the same age, just one week apart. Carol and Alyse were there when I was at a tremendous low point in my life. They picked me up, took me to the ocean, out to lunch and made me feel that I was worthy. I’ve never forgotten that. They were also there when I woke up in CCU after heart valve surgery. They drove from San Jose to Sacramento just to make sure I was okay. I remember waking up and seeing them sitting there. They said hi, that they loved me and left. I went back to sleep. That was a five hour drive and sitting I don’t know how many hours just to say a few words!
This is also significant because about 20 years ago Carol was diagnosed with a degenerative auto immune disease. The doctor wanted to order her a wheel chair, saying she wouldn’t be walking for very long. She refused. He offered her a walker. She refused. He offered her a cane. She accepted.
Since then, she’s been diagnosed with two more auto immune diseases and has suffered a major heart attack. She’s still walking with a walker around the house, but uses a chair when she and Alyse go out. She is my hero, bucking the doctors who would have made her an invalid before her time. She’s determined and maybe a little precocious.
Alyse, Carol’s friend and roommate, has been her caregiver this whole time. She’s also my hero, never giving up even though she’s had surgeries and medical issues of her own. The challenges these two women face are enormous and their joys are numerous. They are always there to help their friends. And, if a person is in need, they become their friend.
They wanted to celebrate their 75th birthdays with one lunch on Carol’s day and another on Alyse’s day. Alyse tells everyone that Carol is older! I’m thrilled to be among their friends who gathered for Carol’s birthday. If we could say that we have touched so many people and affected their lives for the positive, then we would be walking in Carol and Alyse’s shoes.
Happy Birthday my dear earth angels!
Getting ready for the lunch.
Left: Carol; Right: Kim
Left: Kim; Right Alyse
Alyse and Barbara
From left: Pat, Alyse, Meredith and Barbara
Janice and Alyse
Top: Kim and Marty; Bottom: Stephanie and Carol
Top from left: Paulette, Marty; Bottom: Janice, Alyse, Pat
Carol and Anne
From left: Alyse, Anne and Pat.
We celebrated with cupcakes.
Carol and Alyse
Getting ready to blow out the candles.
Back row: Meredith, Anne, Paulette, Pat, Barbara; Front: Kim, Stephanie, Carol, Alyse, Janice
Slow Shutter Speed 