Gold Country 6/25

This morning after a breakfast of eggs and English muffins and yogurt (cleaning out the trailer!), we headed out to gold country. We met the Nolls at Marshall  Gold Discovery State Historic Park (isn't that a mouthful!) Karissa's brother Michael is also in town and since he's staying where we are, he had to ride out with us! Poor guy.

We enjoyed the reprieve from triple digits in the cool (98*) hills. Honestly, it still feels like triple digits in the sun. The shade was pleasant. We visited the museum and watched a movie starring the ranger we had just been talking geology with. The kids picked blackberries. 

We had a picnic lunch then headed to the blacksmith shop. 

It was quite warm after 20 minutes there, in the authentic wood building with fires burning. Immediately after we headed to the river running behind the shop and for in - some of us more than others. Despite the water feeling freezing cold around my ankles, I got in all the way - in my clothes! 

After getting fully wet, it was comfortable to stand and chat while the kids played in the water - for about 15 minutes, when I took another dip. The other adults in the party were more dignified (and hotter) than I only wading into the water so as not to get their clothes wet.

We moved on to a short hike to the monument to Marshall, after whom the park is named. According to my photo, he must have been a saint. (ha.ha.) 

Shooting weeds!