Thursday, July 15, 2010

A Full Day in Jamestown

Thursday was a very full day.

First our breakfast (a very nice vegetarian omelette).

Next, arrival of our newly retired friend Betsie from the San Francisco area (only a 3-hour drive). It was good to see and be with her most of the day.

Railtown 1897 State Historic Park is only a couple of blocks from Jamestown's Main street. It turned out to to be very remarkable. We enjoyed a guided tour of the still-working Roundhouse that holds seven locomotives at a time. They had just completed the complete renovation of their locomotive No. 3. Since the 1920's it has been in over 100 movies and television shows (e.g., High Noon, Petticoat Junction). They had built and have installed a brand new steam boiler on locomotive that meets all the modern steam boiler regulations. You can see in Ruth's and Betsie's faces how excited they were to be there.

Returning to the hotel we discovered the lights weren't working in our room, and walking into town (next door) all the stores and eateries were without power also. So we hung out on the balcony outside where there was a warm breeze (oh yes, it was quite hot that day).

Then it was time for Betsie to return (another three-hour drive) for hockey practice.

So we checked out Sonora. What a busy, crowded place. Not quiet and small like Jamestown (good choice, Don). Don had also found on the internet some entertainment for us:

Sierra Repertory Theatre "The Marvelous Wonderettes"



by Roger Bean, Music by Various

Off-Broadway's brand new smash! When the band doesn't show at Springfield High's prom, The Wonderettes -- Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy and Suzy -- step in to save the day. The girls belt out 50s favorites like "It's My Party," "Mr. Sandman" and "It's In His Kiss," trade teenage gossip and share their big, bold hopes and dreams. You've never had this much fun at a prom and you will never forget THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES! "Hilariously inventive and highly entertaining, bubbly and irrepressible!" Associated Press

My goodness, the energy those gals have!

We head back to San Diego in the morning. It's been a pleasant sojourn. Next month, Egypt.


Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Historic Jamestown, CA

We've made it to Jamestown, California along Historic Highway 49. Our apologies to Norm driving his beautiful long RV along the winding roads last year. They're still very winding and steep - even in our smaller Honda CRV.

The hotel is wonderful - old seeming yet sufficiently modern (TV tucked away into a small armoire, wireless internet). Don is loo0king forward to checking out Railtown (http://www.railtown1897.org/railtown/default.asp) I suspect is the real reason we're here. It's o.k. with me.

this is our room:





Fiery Lola Montez

Queen-sized bed and claw foot tub compliment this antique filled room next to our balcony. Separate sitting room and a TV/VCR.