In early 1848, while constructing a mill along the South Fork of the American River, James Marshall made a fateful discovery- gold. What followed had implications for the people of what would soon after become the state of California. The Gold Rush of 1849 ensued and brought an estimated 300000 prospectors to the territory in… Continue reading Coloma: California Gold
Category: Vacation
Whitewater Rafting on the American River
This past weekend took us back up north of Sacramento for another adventure on the American River. We had planned on returning since our last trek in 2018, however the Covid pandemic put a pin in those plans. So we were excited to finally be able to make it back up in May 2023. Coloma,… Continue reading Whitewater Rafting on the American River
Death Valley: Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes Death Valley is a desert landscape of countless natural wonders. From the vast salt flats and the lowest point in North America and the rugged canyons carved by erosion from uplifted rock material, there are many opportunities for geological exploration and recreation. There are also sand dunes, thanks to wind erosion.… Continue reading Death Valley: Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Death Valley: Hitting New Lows
As mentioned in the Death Valley introductory post, Death Valley is a land of superlatives. The temperatures can be extreme, the dryness is extreme, and the difference between the highest point in the park and the lowest point is over 11300 feet. Badwater Basin, at 282 feet below sea level, is the lowest point in… Continue reading Death Valley: Hitting New Lows
Death Valley: A Galaxy Far, Far Away
Being a Jawa among the cliffs Our first Death Valley adventure of this trip was a hike and a ranger talk among the cliffs of Tatooine- er, I mean, Golden Canyon. After a breakfast of eggs and potatoes, with oat milk instead of blue milk, we headed out from the Texas Spring Campground and headed… Continue reading Death Valley: A Galaxy Far, Far Away
The Cranky Camper 