Posted on by Anne Sandler · 10 Comments

Old Hangtown: Placerville

It’s been a while since we went to Placerville to take photos. The town got the name Old Hangtown because it was known as a vigilante area. Here’s a bit of history.

The history of Placerville, formerly Hangtown and Old Dry Diggins, has its roots in mining and was once known for its notorious reputation for vigilante justice carried out by hangings. Old Dry Diggins was a gold mining camp on Hangtown Creek established in 1848.

They had hung (pardon the pun) onto the old name until a few years ago when they took down the dummy hanging from a pole where the hanging tree once stood. But the past still lingers. No more hangings; just a small tourist area with old buildings and shops.

Here are photos from our recent visit.

Dog lovers have to have one of these. Found in the Hardware Store.
Does anyone remember the Studebaker cars?

We had a great couple of hours walking Main Street and having lunch. And, yes, we did some shopping!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 11 Comments

Lens Artist Challenge #126: An Alphabet Challenge–Subjects That Begin with the Letter A

I love the letter “A” not only because it is the first letter of my name, but it’s also for Apple Hill in Placerville. That’s the first thing that came to my mind when I read Patti’s post that gave us this challenge.

Of course in Apple Hill they grow apples. Imagine that! Each year the Apple Hill Growers Association organizes this event. Growers in the area open their orchards/farms, a certain amount, to the public. They sell pies, cupcakes, jelly or caramel apples, anything apple. I don’t care for pie, but the cupcakes and donuts are delicious. I do bring home a large slice of apple pie for Richard.

We spend the day driving from place to place, exploring the grounds and buying fruit from the fruit stands. It’s a wonderful photo day. Because of the pandemic, we didn’t go this year. However, I do have images to show you from previous years.

People of all ages come to enjoy the grounds, pony rides and food.

The grounds at some of the orchards are simply beautiful.

There are also a few old trucks, museum sets, and flowers.

I’m hoping that the pandemic will be over next year. I did miss visiting Apple Hill this year, but didn’t want to risk the crowds. Take care and stay safe everyone!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 19 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #124: Then and Now

We live in the now, and these days we think back to the then. This is Amy’s, “The World is a Book” challenge this week. What is the difference between then and now.

I think our spontaneity is gone. Are we in the purple, red, orange tier? How far would we be going? Would we need to car pool? These are all questions we need to ask ourselves before we deem it okay to do an activity. We used to be able to go out to dinner on the spur of the moment. Now we either take out or cook. Sometimes we can eat out if our location is in the right tier. Even then, we may have to eat outside!

So, Amy wants us to show the difference through our photography of our then and now. For me the big difference is that our photo outings have been with our photo pod and have been close to home. I decided to post images from November 2019 and November 2020.

In 2019 I managed to get to Apple Hill in Placerville, Napa Valley, Effie Yeaw Nature Center in Carmichael and William Land Park in Sacramento. Apple Hill and Napa were some distance from my home.

  • Apple Hill, Placerville
  • Napa Valley
  • Effie Yeaw, Carmichael
  • William Land Park, Sacramento

This year has been a little different with outings no more than 30 minutes from home. The longest drive was to Woodland. We also went to U.C. Davis Arboretum and Effie Yeaw. Tomorrow we will be going on another short trip to Lincoln to find some fall color.

  • U.C. Davis Arboretum, Davis
  • Effie Yeaw
Woodland Library

I’m looking forward to when we can just get up and go wherever we want. Maybe a 2-hour ride to the ocean! In the meantime:

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 6 Comments

An apple a day: Apple Hill, Placerville

An apple a day may not keep the doctor away, but it keeps people coming to Apple Hill in Placerville, El Dorado County each year. Everything is “apple” in this area where member growers show and sell their pies, apple fritters, apple doughnuts, etc. The months of October and November are so busy that crafters and more also show their wares.

This was my 4th trip to Apple Hill, so I decided to photograph different things. If you follow this blog, then you know I enjoy shooting close ups, lines and patterns, people, flowers and rust. So, that’s what I’m showing you today.

First close ups and rust.

This was a BIG pumpkin.
A bad hair day or unique style?
Old rusted drum.
An old drain???

Now flowers:

Now lines and patterns:

Empty apple crates
Another view
Pallets
Rusted truck grill

Now people:

Caring in motion.
Loading the kids on the truck for the hay ride.
Wiping down the fish cleaning area.
Okay, not a real person. He’s in the museum at Larson.

Some leftovers:

A store at High Hill.
The oldest tree on the Larson property.
Look at how knotted the trunk is!
Again on Larson’s property.
Looking up at the Larson barn.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 4 Comments

The 2nd annual trip: Apple Hill, El Dorado County, California

A spiced apple donut with thick chocolate icing–yum! I should have taken a picture, but I was in the midst of having an “I need sugar attack.” We were in Apple Hill, El Dorado County, enjoying apple anything and taking in the sites. This was my second time up above Placerville shooting apple orchards, vineyards and vendors. I think it will be an annual trek up the mountain.

During autumn, growers belonging to the Apple Hill Growers Association open the area to everyone, selling pies, pastries and wine. Vendors of all sorts are on hand to sell their crafts or products.

This year I went with more photography knowledge and confidence. California is still in a drought and the scenery showed it. The vineyards weren’t as green. It just looked dry after having a great deal of triple digit days this summer. So, I shot close up, with a few landscapes.

I do enjoy shooting close up, and the old farm equipment provided color and texture–just what I love. I used to spray shoot without a direct purpose. This time it was different, and I was happy.

Of course I’d have been happier if I bought another donut and brought it home! (This will be a 2-part post.)