I am in the midst of completing a novel set in an imaginary town in the heart of the Gold Country. This fictional town is a combination of the many I’ve visited or driven over the past two years. As I’m closing in on the finish of this book, I felt a trip into the hills would be good for the book and great for me, since I love the area so much.
I wasn't disappointed. This Saturday, as I headed down Highway 99, and veered off on Highway 26 pointing my little car eastward, my senses seemed to come alive. I was traveling with my tape recorder at the ready, and took note of everything that struck my fancy.
I had yearned to see a particular spot between two tiny towns, Jenny Lind and Milton, where there are several piles of tailings from mining right alongside the road. Back in the winter, they had looked particularly otherworldly, with the trees stark and gray against the odd groupings of nearly naked rock piles. Now, with the spring having revived the trees and laden them with green, it was still striking but not the moonscape I had remembered. Still, I stopped and captured their lonely stand in time.
I headed towards Valley Springs, where I stopped to stretched my legs and suck up some caffeine. Then it was back out on the road, headed in another direction – towards Murphys.
I truly love this little town, which is probably the most accomplished of the tourist towns in the area. It has managed to maintain much of its old-time feel and history, while in reality it has been transformed to accommodate the wants and needs of its many visitors. The town didn’t seem overrun with them when I finally rolled in, around 2:30 p.m.
My favorite spot is the wonderful little pool that has been created in the creek that runs through town. There are picnics tables and benches to just sit and watch the kids playing in the cold water. Surprisingly, the tiny water spot had just the right amount of children for such a hot day, all playing nicely with each other. It was a scene from another time.
After observing just long enough to wish I’d brought along shorts so I could walk into the stream myself, I headed towards the main thoroughfare, a cobble-stoned Main Street. There are several shops, galleries and boutiques to visit and in between the occasional historic building to take in. You can ride in a buggy, too, through the cobblestone streets painted every so often with giant four-leaf clovers.
The town is strewn with wine tasting rooms from the many wineries surrounding the area. They are quaintly arranged, some offering music, or a restaurant adjacent. Not being much of a drinker anymore, it’s a facet that doesn’t particularly interest me, but would easily fill an afternoon for the serious wine aficionado.
Murphys Grille offered a late lunch on its tiny porch. I had a marvelous mushroom and caramelized onion tart, and a ringside seat to the meanderings of other tourists, who were taking it all in, too.
After lunch I drove through Mokelumne Hill to Jackson and then Pine Grove, to visit my folks. I’ve got it now. All the little nuances that I wanted to touch on came flowing to me on my day trip and I’m back at the computer, weaving them into the fabric of my story. And I came back refreshed and ready to roll into the next week of everyday life.
May a voyage of renewal be in your immediate future!
