Friday September 13, Forest Camp near Nevada City CA

Virginia City at first light

Woke soon after six this morning, it was just getting light and as we were staying in the most amazing scenic place got my camera and tripod, checked the map and walked not too far from camp to the cemetery which is on a high point looking east over a valley. It was one of the most breathtaking scenes I have every photographed as the sun was first reflected on some wispy clouds then it peeked over the hill turning everything orange. It was one of those WOW moments. Returning for breakfast seemed a bit mundane.

Had a slow start as wanted to walk back into town and have a good look around as a lot of the stores were shut last night, but knew they wouldn’t be open until after 10, so no rush. Looking at the old buildings again made you realise that not a lot has been done to them since the gold and silver mining times in the 1860’s. The little museum gave a good insite into what it was like.

Not a good place for chidren

A "modern" prospectors shack.

By midday we were off down the road to Carson City, which we bypassed, it really is just a commercial city and has no great charms. We are planning to head west and back to the coast again on Route 20, then down towards San Francisco and Napa Valley…a rather zig zag route but want to wait until Yosemite is clear of fires.

Had heard a lot about Lake Tahoe, and a lot about how busy it is especially at the south end, so decided to take the road around the Eastern shore and head north. But oh so disappointing, firstly the road was extremely busy, and there was nowhere to stop and get a good look at the lake unless we wanted to pay $12 at a state park beach, which was just not worth it. We kept going hoping to find somewhere to stop but there was just nothing and it wasn’t until we got to Truckee that we found a place to park and have a very, very late lunch. Afterwards I read a book that talked about the scenic route up the west shore with lots of places to stop and camp….guess you win some and lose some.

We took the Interstate 80 for about 20 miles before turning off on Route 20 and the scenery was amazing, we were very high up in ski country and the rocks in the surrounding areas looked very glacial, only managed a shot from the van as we drove along.

Finally found a quiet little forest camp just outside Nevada City and have to say we were both quite happy to stop for the night.