Gold Country Bonanza Day 2:  Going Old School in Columbia....
Managed to survive the night not being eaten by bears or burnt to a crisp, so the day started well.  I'd discovered that my blow-up mattress had a bit of a slow-leak, so it was rather entertaining trying to haul myself out of it first thing in the morning (I don't care how fit and spry you are - you try getting up out of a half-inflated mattress without looking like a beached whale).  I don't think i'd helped my case by having had my mattress on a slope, with my head at the downward end, legs pointing uphill (steady) rather than sleeping with my head at the top with legs working in harmony with gravity.  Sigh.

oh YEAH......

Aside from an ignominious start, life was still good and it was time to fire up the Whisperlite stove and get cracking with breakfast.  I'd gone old-style and packed some bangers and beans for breakfast, so was looking forward to that first cup of tea, followed by some strong coffee and tomatoey-beany goodness.  Alas, it was not to be.  For the first time EVAH my bloody Whisperlite stove completely failed to co-operate.  I couldn't get the bloody thing to light.  At first I thought it was because I hadn't filled the gas bottle up enough with fuel when we'd stopped for gas, so Lori helpfully volunteered to go to the petrol station to get more.  Coming back with a completely full bottle, I tried again - connecting the burner to the bottle, priming the pump and turning it on v....e.....r.....y   c...a....r....e....f...u..l...l...y but all i got was a lot of yellow flames, soot and bugger all else.  I'm always crapping my pants whenever I use my Whisperlite as they are a bit scary to use - you have to get the flow of pressurized fuel coming out of the bottom and soaking the wick juuuuuuust right so that there's enough gas for it to catch and generate the blue flames that you want - but not too much that it "whooooomps" out and sets your eyebrows on fire.  I have always used fuel from the gas pumps with no problem before, so I don't know if it was a different kind of fuel or if something was blocked but anyway, nada.  Nothing but very sooty fingers and a woeful lack of hot caffeinated products to show for my efforts.

I can almost feel those gold nuggets... (steady)

So breakfast was a bit of a wash-out but fortunately our good friend, Walmart, had a store in nearby Jackson, so we'd stop there on our way to Columbia and rectify the situation (justified camping gadget shopping - yey!!).  Fortunately i'd also packed some cereal so breakfast was fine, if rather dull and functional, rather than excitingly campfire-y and outdoorsy.

Anyway, the plan for the day was to head back towards Murphy, cross into Tuolumne County and visit the town of Columbia, a preserved old Wild West-style town where you could relive some of that old gold rush experience! (Loopy - think Flambards with stetsons and spurs).   The highlight of the day was to indulge in a little light panhandling but - more on that later....

The drive over took about an hour again and, as we drove out towards Columbia, the smoke and the haze from the Rim Fire became very very obvious.  We could see thick bands of it, rolling down towards us, and we could definitely smell it in the air.  En route, we stopped at a scenic lookout over a lake and the horizon was completely cloaked in white smoke.  Talking to one of the locals later on in the day, they explained that the smoke was worst first thing in the morning but, as the winds changed direction later in the day, it completely cleared up.  It was a real shame - not just for the devastation its causing to the forest up in Yosemite, but also the impact its having in places like Pine Grove and Columbia.  Here we were again, on the last major holiday weekend of the year, at a very touristy place - and it was almost deserted.   A few more folk turned by the time we left but there was hardly anyone there - having grown up in the tourism business, you just knew how much everyone must have been hurting economically.  It was very sad.  Here's the link to the town, just in case you ever are passing and feel an urge to visit... http://www.visitcolumbiacalifornia.com

Checking in on the mortgage.
Yep.  Still there.

Anyway, good for those of us who obviously didn't watch enough of the local news as we didn't have to wait for anything again - we arrived just after midday, so first sat and ate lunch, before wandering through the town, taking in the sights.  Its an interesting place - although it is, of course, very touristy, it doesn't take that much imagination to picture it back in the mid 1800's when it was at the height of its Gold Rush boom.  It wasn't all that big, so it didn't take too long to wander round - the town does still house some private residences too, so its not all just for show.  The hotel is also a working property and you can stay there - we just contented ourselves with having a wander round again, exploring the authentically floral and dark parlor lounge upstairs.  It was roastingly hot outside, so we also availed ourselves of one of the saloons for an icy-cold glass of rose, served to us by a very grumpy saloon gal.  I guess some things never change.  We also visited the schoolhouse, the blacksmiths and took a ride on an old stagecoach, drawn by 4 magnificent horses.  We - of course - rode shotgun, up in front with the driver (a lovely chap who owned the horses and worked the concession, 7 days a week from Memorial day to Labor day) which was a lot of fun.  Albeit short.  The ride lasted just over ten minutes, during which we got held up by a highway robber!  EEK!  (he actually made me jump, the little sod!).   Anyway, here are some of the pics from our visit - the highlight was, of course, my bid for gilded glory.... that's coming next, so stay tuned.....

It was, indeed, a fine establishment, complete with authentically
moody cowboy sitting out front, just starin' into the distance

I'm sensing a pattern in the decor here...  Stopping for an
 icy-cold adult beverage in the Douglass Saloon

Git yer 'orseshoes 'ere!

Sounds like a sailor I once dated.

SEE?!!!  Wagonwheels really HAVE
got smaller since we were kids!!

A rather fine carriage.

A dusty version.

All I could think of when I saw this were those
 scenes from Scrooge - The Musical ("thank ya very much!"

"my...what a fine hat, sir"
 "thank you, good lady but - pray - why are you carrying
a blanket in 96 degree weather?"

Papeete fleet

Jail rails.

Historical stuff for you history nerds

Brings back fond memories of school days....

Crackly lock and old knob.

Brilliant.  I need one of these for work.

Teacher's desk.  Not a piece of fruit-inspired technology in sight...

Schoolhouse and outhouse

Damned right.

Though Thomas might say there is no
 difference between the two...

A perfect place to sit and watch the world go by...

Spectacular wallpaper in the upstairs parlor of the historic hotel.
I kinda like it.  Reminds me of Kings Acre somehow.

And tarts with hearts

Deja vu!!  

Chucks away!!

Do you take credit cards?

Riding shotgun!

I think the "O" must have fallen off the sign
 (site of the first recorded Italian coffee bar in the US)