July 15 - Donner Beach and Music

We met Shan and Arlo for a morning hike at Wolf Creek Trail. Arlo rode his bike partway and Lenny walked the whole way. Nice trail mostly in the shade.

 ​I had a few errands to run in the morning. Then we were off in another adventure. Shan and Arlo took us to Truckee’s Donner Private Beach and then to listen the band Broken Compass. This is a local bluegrass band that graduated from Nevada City. 

Shan has a co-worker, Betty, who owns a house at Donner Village. She invited us to their private beach.

Building a sandcastle 

Arlo buried his feet in the sand.

And now … the music of Broken Compass at Truckee’s Amphitheater.  Great music setting.

And while we are having fun with Shan, Arlo and Carl, Drew is off to China having fun. He had a presentation in Wuhan, then traveled to Shanghai. 

We will see he and Erin at the end of July. 

July 14 - All Day Arlo

​Shan had to work today so she brought Arlo to the campground. We get him all day by ourselves!

He played around the RV for awhile. 

Then we walked around the fairgrounds to begin to tire him out 😜. He carried his cars with him.

He wanted to go to the playground but when we got there, all the playground equipment was too hot to play on. 

So off we go home for a nap. 3 books and he was out. 

July 13 - Ribs and Swimming

​Today was cloudy but hot and muggy. Not quite what you think about California.

I went to Aquasize while the rest caught up on things around the house. 

After Arlo’s nap, Shan, Arlo and I met Cat, Nolan, and June at Pioneer pool. 

Look at those flippers and goggles!

We all had fun until it rained. Well, that’s what California people call it. We call it a sprinkle. 

Carl’s ribs for dinner were yummy. 

Drew is giving a presentation in Hong Kong China and then flying to Shanghai for a couple of days. He said the people were excited to have him and took him to dinner that had about 20 dishes. 

He sent me a picture of instructions on a urinal. Guess they don’t think people know how to use one  

Since we still had clouds, we had another stunning sunset. 

July 12 - Train ride and Smash Burgers

​Today’s adventure was to the Nevada City Narrow Gauge Railroad. In the 1800s there was lots of money in this city because of the gold mines so big homes were built and a railroad that drove the gold to be processed.  

This is an 1875 narrow gauge steam engine used to haul lumber and passengers.  It was also used in some Universal Studios’ movies. 

We took a short train ride through their meadow and had ice cream. Arlo loves to ride the train.

They also staged a short robbery shoot out during our ride. 

Arlo and Pappy were in jail for awhile.

Dinner was smash burgers and salad and then a few hands of Uno. 

Another beautiful sunset back at the RV

July 11 - Still celebrating, Farmer’s Market

​We met Shan, Carl and Arlo at the farmer’s Market downtown NC. Listened to Breakover, a bluegrass trio. Great music  

Learned a new craft, sunprinting. Would like to learn this craft  

Arlo made a sun painting, too  I think his turned out better than mine!

Cat and kids came over to watch the England-Norway match.

A huge water fight took place after England won. 

Not sure who won but Pappy was the wettest.

At the campground, we had a beautiful sunset as the clouds moved in.  

July 10 - 3/4 Quarter of a Century Birthday and Belle gets her oil changed.

​My actual birthday started off taking Belle to Auto Tec in Loomis for her routine oil change. I’m sure we have found the place we will use next year. auto Tec is very much like Centre RV in Bellefonte.  Nothing fancy but very knowledgeable and professional technicians. 

While we waited for Belle to get new oil, we drove into Loomis to eat breakfast at Granite Rock, a cafe with good food. Then a stop at Trader Joe’s and Target. Bill disappeared into Trader Joe’s and came out to surprise me with flowers. Also stopped at High-Hand Nursery to browse all the beautiful plants  this one took my eye  

A great place to sit and relax. Although Lenny wasn’t sure what those things were when he tried to take a drink and one tried to bite his nose!

By noon we were on our way to Nevada City. For the next week, we decided to stay in the Nevada City Fairgrounds Campground. It’s supposed to be in the 90s so we didn’t want to push Carl and Shannon’s electric with our AC. This is the campground we have stayed in many years, no frills, but nice setting among the pines and cedars. 

For the evening, Shannon and Carl had us over for dinner and Donna came to celebrate, too. First Carl made us mint juleps and Shan gave me flowers and Donna made me the prettiest scarf since she knows how cold PA gets in the winter.

Then Carl smoked one of my favorite meals - Salmon, Shan made a delicious Mediterranean salad and Donna made sour dough bread. Last but not least was a peach marble cheesecake Carl and Arlo made. All of this made such a special end to my day. 

Then we introduced Donna to the card game Flip 7. 

July 9 - Bike Ride and 75th Birthday Celebration

​Today, Drew rode his bike to the campground and we rode the trail to show him how to go to Old Sac and downtown (the trail we found yesterday).

This is the Sante Fe steam locomotive at Old Sac. Not as big as Big Boy but still impressive.

Back at their house, they gave me my present … a cherry pitter. Never knew there was such a device till I saw Erin using hers.  I made such a fuss about its usefulness that they bought me one, too. Have you ever used one?

Then to continue my birthday celebration, we first went to The Field Brewery for a brew and play Cover your Assets again. 

Then Erin met us at Chef Burma for dinner. What a treat. I ordered mango chicken and tea leaf salad. Sooo good. 

Look at all the different dishes we had  each one was delicious.  

After all that delicious food, dessert was fried bananas and ice cream. The candle fireworks was extra special. Never saw a candle like this. 

A very special birthday for sure and one I’ll remember for a long time