Geez...am I really getting older? I don't feel older...well, yes, the aches and pains are more frequent (and some never go away) and I do seem to lose my keys more often. But me...a senior citizen getting reduced movie tickets and free refills at McDonald's? Yikes!! This can't be happening. So far, no one has gotten up at a local restaurant and offered me their seat. That would be the last straw and an immediate clue that I need to sell some of my car projects, take the profits and head to Beverly Hills in search of a good surgeon. Maybe Jane Fonda's....she looks pretty damn good for 79.
When my daughter Katie sent me a text to wish me Happy Birthday, I sent back a reply that one of the advantages of getting older was forgetting how old you are. Then, the next day I turned the page to April on one of the great calendars she makes every year (she adds amazing quotes for each month) and....lo and behold....there's a quote from Prince: "I don't believe in time....I don't count...when you count it ages you". Amen...I rest my case. And oh yeah....don't offer me your seat!
This area is located in an outdoor wonderland. The amazing Tahoe National Forest is in our backyard. There are world class kayaking runs with Class I to Class 5 areas, mountain biking trails that draw racers and enthusiasts from around the world, over 650 miles of hiking trails (including the Pacific Crest Trail, recently made even more famous in the movie "Wild" with Reese Witherspoon) and an almost unlimited number of lakes, rivers and streams. When we first moved here, we noticed that a lot of the cars were hauling mountain bikes, skis, or kayaks. Now, we know why. The entire area is considered a hub for non-motorized recreation in the Western US.
Want to learn more, or plan to visit the area...check this out:
https://www.nevadacitychamber.com/nevada-city-things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/hiking-trails/
Anyway, to make a long story even longer, we recently walked the amazing Bridgeport Buttermilk Bend Trail. This trail is known not only for the amazing views of the South Yuba RIver, but also for the world's longest free-standing covered bridge and some beautiful wildflowers. The trail has been carved out of the mountain side and offers amazing views of the river and the valley. I posted some pictures, but trust me, they don't begin to do it justice. A camera simply can't duplicate what the eye sees. The best I can offer is this....come visit and see it for yourself.
The search for "elevation". It has taken us about a month to realize what makes one area here absolutely stunning...and another area, just "so-so". It's all about elevation. Even a 500' change in elevation makes a huge difference in the views, the air quality, snow accumulation, availability of utilities (internet service), road quality, building sites, access to town, and on and on. In short, the higher you go, the prettier it gets....but it's a trade off. As you go higher, you get cooler weather, more snow, worse utility service (or none), fewer building sites, really windy roads and a much longer drive into town. As you go down, all of those things get easier...but the natural beauty of the area simply doesn't exist. So that's where we are....searching for an area that takes in the natural beauty, but one where you don't need a helicopter to get home. Stay tuned...the quest continues. We have a year to figure it out.
Thanks for reading!
Cheers!