The Loomis Train Depot is adorably decorated for Christmas. The Loomis Family Christmas Tree and…read morefestive Xmas themed photo cutouts of Santa Claus, elves, reindeer, and gingerbread people make for merry and bright holiday pictures. Tip: If you are at the counter of Taylors diner when a train whistles, you can get a free Kids Cone of soft serve ice cream.

Railroad history is a vibrant part of Placer County and the surrounding gold country towns. I grew…read moreup in Auburn, which has train tracks running all throughout it. I spent a lot of my childhood at my Grandma's house in Loomis, scurrying to the top of the playset to watch as trains flew past. I loved falling asleep to the gentle sounds of steel wheels hitting train tracks as a kid, and now that I live in midtown Sacramento, I still get to hear it, and it makes me happy. I'll stop being a Sheldon Cooper, and get on with it. Although trains have not stopped here for many years, the Loomis Train Depot has recently been restored to its former glory as a historical point of interest train station in the heart of the town of Loomis. You can't miss it. Just follow Horseshoe Bar Road from the Loomis exit off of I-80, past Taylor Road, until it dead ends at Blue Anchor Park, behind Taylor's, where you should also stop for a Golden Eagle Shake. GO DOHS! It is currently the site of town hall meetings, and inside you'll find a gavel and courtroom style chair set up along with a small train museum for enthusiasts. It's also an awesome venue for a small party or in this month's case, a bridal shower. There are plenty of chairs, tables, and a kitchen complete with sink, trash cans, microwave and fridge. I liked this location as a venue so much that I have my eye on it for the future. Folks wanting to reserve this space should contact that business number listed, or check out the facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Loomis-Train-Depot-130172910379866/.

Located in Roseville, Maidu Activity Center is an establishment that gives you the history of the…read moreMaidu people of California. The Maidu Activity Center is closed to the public but provides private tours of it's center and the nature area in the back. I visited as a chaperone on a school trip and the 1st tour guide taught the class of the Maidu people, and how they lived on the land back in the day. The class are learned of the Maidu people today and their culture and customs, while showing the children all types of different artifacts. While in the center the kids also got to do a series of trade simulations as locale tribes from the area, it was pretty cool watching the groups figure out what the best trades would be and how'd they bargain and negotiate. Just like the tribes in the area would have to do back in the day. On the second portion of the trip the class was taken on a trail tour of the grounds in the back of the center. The tour guide for this portion was a man by the name of Al, and he should how the Maidu tribes women would make flour out of acorns. Along the tour the children also got the opportunity to to adorn their faces with face paint in the traditional ways of the Maidu people, based on if they were boys or girls. The children also got the opportunity to sit around an area where the Maidu people of today, still visit to meet and do carry on traditional practices. Overall it was a very good trip and inside the activity center, there's also a souvenir shop where you can get a keep sake of your visit.

Me being of Japanese decent, I felt the need to visit Wakamatsu Tea and Silkworm Colony Farm in…read morePlacerville, and to pay my respect to all the courageous men and women whom traveled thousands of miles to a foreign land (America) for a dream of a better life. There are no words that can express my heartfelt gratitude for the sacrifices and hardship the " Isei " (First Generation ) must have gone through ! They paved the way for people like both of my grandfathers whom came to the United States in 1906. On May 20th, 1869 a group of 22 samurais and one women arrived in San Francisco on board the SS China with 50,000 (Mulberry Trees) (Silk worm cocoons) (tea plants and seeds) ( cooking utensils) and (swords). Thus the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Colony Farm was established on 160 acres in Gold Hill Placerville on June 8th, 1869. The life of the colony was short lived (1869 -1871) due to inadequate funding and a severe drought in 1871. Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Colony was considered to be the first Japanese Settlement in North America. In 1969 Ronald Reagan (governor at the time) proclaimed the colony to be a California Historic Landmark No. 815. The land is currently owned and operated by the American River Conservancy. The farm is on private property, so visitations can only be made by arranging a private tours, attending certain festivals on the property or schdueled events. Next year (2019) marks its 150th anniversary celebration !!! See web site for more details. Thanks for reading !

Have been to a couple of American River Conservancy events at Wakamatsu Farm. Such an historic &…read moreinteresting place. The volunteers & teachers are impressive. It is always an interesting & enjoyable experience in a beautiful setting.

Just driving though Eldorado County and saw this gem! You go through it fairly quickly. It was…read morekinda hot in Cool today.

Old Bear River Bridge, also called, "Bear River Historic Bridge," is located near Colfax, CA. The…read morebridge is located next to a taller and more modern bridge that is part of Route 174. This pair of bridges is about two miles to the north of Route 80. From Colfax, take Route 174 (also called, Colfax Highway) to the north. Route 174 crosses over a modern bridge, and once you've crossed this modern bridge you will find a turn-off that brings you into a dirt parking lot. Park your car in this lot. At one end of this parking lot is a stone monument with a plaque on it. Just beyond this stone monument is the north side of Old Bear River Bridge. The bridge is great for pedestrians, and vistors can gaze at the rushing waters arriving from Lake Rollins to the east. Visitors can also gaze at the waters rushing to the west and tumbling over boulders in the Bear River. Bear River continues for about nine miles until it reaches Lake Combie. The plaque has the following paragraph of writing on it: "OLD BEAR RIVER BRIDGE. Since 1852 bridges near this site have served as the gateway to western Nevada County. This 1924 span was the first concrete bridge at this site and features a Roman style single arch design, constructed in a continuous pour method. The Colfax Highway Association led a citizens group that saved the bridge from the wrecker's ball in 1986, and placed this monument in 1992." The pedestrian walkway on Old Bear River Bridge is about 20 feet lower down than Route 174, which crosses over the modern bridge. Because Old Bear River Bridge is lower, the modern bridge does not obscure the views to the west. An interesting sight from the southern end of Old Bear River Bridge is an aqueduct. This aqueduct is built on a hill rising from the southern banks of Bear River. Regarding the northern bank of Bear River, what is found here is a hiking trail that follows the river and takes you in a westerly direction. The trailhead is located near the stone monument (mentioned above), and the trail first takes you under the modern bridge, and then into a forest. I took this trail for about 20 minutes through the forest. From this trail, you are rewarded with occasional views of the Bear River below. Also, from this trail that are several small dirt trails that branch off from the main trail and lead you along a 50-foot descent down to the river's edge. ATTACHED PHOTOGRAPHS. 1. Plaque installed at north side of Old Bear River Bridge. 2. View downstream of Old Bear River Bridge, showing that the modern bridge is about 20 feet higher up than Old Bear River Bridge. 3. View of most of Old Bear River Bridge. I took this photograph from the trail that passes under the modern bridge (and under Route 174). 4. Aqueduct that is visible from the southern end of Old Bear River Bridge. 5. Looking east from Old Bear River Bridge. You can see little waterfalls. 6. Looking west from Old Bear River Bridge. From this vantage spot, you can see little waterfalls. 7. View of the dirt trail, showing a hiker wearing an orange backpack. 8. View of Bear River from the dirt trail.

The view of the river from the bridge is very nice, but unfortunately there is a lot of trash and…read moregraffiti which spoil the experience. We did not walk the trail, so maybe if you do that and get away from the parking area and bridges it is better.

We have always loved coming to Yankee Jim's! Unfortunately…read morethe swim hole is closed for the next 4 years due to construction of the new bridge on top. So sad but so excited to go back!

Ok...my sister came here yesterday...and I love waterfalls so I asked here where it was…read more This place is located in colfax ca. If you type in Yankee Jim's bridge...it will come up on Google maps...please download the map...BECAUSE YOU WILL LOSE SERVICE. Once you get on Yankee Jim's road...it is paved...then turns into a dirt road for about 3 miles. You need to drive slow...no rails...and a long drop.. some places are narrow...and yes a car can drive on that road. I have a civic and had no problems. But drive slow...some people go a little faster...there are little pot holes here and there. You can drive across the bridge...I did...my mom was scared...but not me... Once you arrive at the bridge...there is a portapotty...and a few places to park. If you drive over the bridge...there is additional parking...and stairs that lead to a path to the river. If you keep driving just about .25 miles more...you will see a beautiful waterfall on your left... There is a 3 mile hike to a beautiful swimming hole...I did not go there...but you can see pictures on Google. This place is so beautiful...I saw people with kayaks and fishing poles. The path to the river can be accessed from a trail to right of portapotty...or by stairs across the bridge. I would recommend coming here if your looking for a day trip...or something to do.

Beale Air Force Base is a military base located in Northern California. It is the home to 2 major…read moreunits, the 9th Reconnaissance Wing and the 940th Refueling Wing. The base was established in 1942 and named for Edward Fitzgerald Beale, a US Navy veteran and Brigadier General in the California Militia in the late 1800's. The base is noteworthy as it is the primary base for the U-2 Dragon lady and the RQ-4 Global Hawk. They also have an attached KC-135 unit and the 9th keeps T-38's which are flown to help the pilots maintain proficiency. Aside from that unless you are based there or have business on the base it is not open to visit. It also is not the best spotting place I have been too but that may be tempered by the fact that I am batting zero when I have tried

After a one hour road trip, we arrived a the Badge and Pass office where military personnel go to…read morerenew ID cards. I'm a retired LTC with a wife who needed to update her expired ID. About a week ago we showed up at their office. They said "the system was down". We drove another hour back home. Today I called to see if "the system" was up. It was! However, I was informed they already had their 15 person "walk in" limit. This was around 0830 hrs !!! We both have medical issues that prohibit making an appt we may not be able to keep. We are octogenarians and our flexibility is limited. My retired job offered me the opportunity to visit most all of our military bases in CONUS. Beale is the least accommodating, unprofessional, and least prepared base I have ever seen! First their infrastructure fails, then human resources fail !!!

Located AT 1100 NATOMA STREET between Sibley and Folsom Blvd. is St. John the Baptist's Historical…read moreChurch and Cemetery. I've been here with my daughter several times now. What appears to be an old dilapidated house is actually the original St. John the Baptist Church, established in 1857. Apparently, it was Folsom's only Catholic church for over 100 years. The building across the street, which currently houses The Bridge Community Church, was built as a new location for St. John's, but was later sold when the newest location on Montrose was completed. According to St. John's website, this old building, which is now considered a historical landmark, is still used for special occasions, such as weddings and holiday masses. Personally, I haven't seen the inside of the church, but the outside is in serious need of restoration. To me, the most interesting features of this landmark are the historical tomb stones. Some of them have fascinating inscriptions. Some have tacky gates around them that look like they belong in a cheesy Halloween movie. And some appear to be forgotten and neglected in the back of the yard. The grass is very overgrown, and the property does not seem to be very well maintained, overall. Other than that, though, this is a cool cemetery with a chill history. EDIT: I'm not sure why it was edited, but the correct address is, in fact, 1100 NATOMA STREET. The address that it was edited to on Montrose is the address for the replacement church that was built many decades later.