Timbuctoo

Historical Marker along Hwy. 20 in California reveals the ghost town location of Timbuctoo – a once bustling gold rush town in Northern California.

This is one of those rare glimpses of the past that you won’t find off a bustling main highway. It also serves as a wonderful reminder from the past – slow down and enjoy the moment!

It reads:

Timbuctoo

The largest town in eastern Yuba County and at height of its prosperity contained a church, theater, stores, hotels and saloons. {SIC} Wells Fargo Office and Stewart Bros. Store. Restored 1924 and dedicated to pioneer men and women of Timbuctoo.

The only thing left of Timbuctoo is the old remains of the Wells Fargo Office (which housed millions of dollars of gold in its day), about 5 miles away across the road to Smartsville (or Smartville if you want to stir up the historical debate!).  The land is private property and you can only see the remains from Highway 20.

Crescent City, CA - Where the Redwoods meet the Sea!

Crescent City is a great stop along historic Hwy. 101. Several campgrounds around the area allow easy drop-off for your RV. You can’t take a RV (or even a long-bed pickup) into many areas of Redwood National and State Parks. This region also has a couple great lighthouses, including Battery Island Lighthouse, which is only accessible from shore during low tide. The lighthouse actually seeks out RVing volunteers for summer months! They put you in a nearby campground (free) and you work at the lighthouse so many hours per week. There are many sights to see along this region, as well as shopping and casinos.

Bridgeport Covered Bridge

Bridgeport covered bridge across the South Yuba River, just outside Penn Valley is definately a must see when visiting Gold Country. Gold panning (“pans and hands”) is allowed along this stretch of the river. A wonderful place for a relaxing day trip, the South Yuba River State Park offers visitors hiking trails, visitor’s center, picnic area and restrooms. A short walk from the main parking area you will find an old cemetary and barn exhibit (with old wagons).

While you are there, stop in to the visitor’s center and pick up a gold pan kit and try it yourself! The volunteers and park officials will be happy to provide you with information on the technique. You will be amazed to see that the water under the bridge is literally glittering with gold flakes! Of course, it’s not enough to buy a new RV, but you’ll find your day at the Yuba priceless.

Truckee Trail - Greenhorn Creek Crossing Marker

A marker shows the Truckee Trail and a quote from an Emigrant Trail traveler, John A. Markle from 1849. The amazing thing about traveling and living in different regions for short periods, is that it allows you to really absorb the history of an area. This marker is actually hidden off of You Bet Road in Grass Valley.  If we weren’t told by a local that it was there, we would have never found it! In fact, this is probably the only mention online of this particular spot from the old Emigrant Trail.

It reads:

Truckee Trail – Greenhorn Creek Crossing

Came to another branch of Bear River; Where there were some of the gold diggers operating but not with much success; The road from our camp to the branch run;  Along a ridge and was very hilly. - John A. Markle     August 26, 1849

 

My absolute favorite stop in California is Bodie State Historical Park. Bodie is a modern ghost town that has been left exactly the way it was. The funeral parlor still has coffins on display, the school house has books on the teacher’s desks, etc… It is as though time froze. The amazing thing about Bodie is that as you walk the streets you feel like the past inhabitants are walking beside you. 

The past stands tall at Bodie SHP.

 

The drive to Bodie is a rather long 18 miles off of the main highway. There are warnings against taking larger and recreational vehicles as there is limited parking and the road is very rough. The last three miles of the road is nothing but dirt and stone. This is extremely rough. In fact, the toolbox in the bed of our pickup truck (which has been with us for at least 30,000 miles, unfastened) moved from its spot almost 6 inches. This is a heavy-duty toolbox! So if you are traveling in a RV, you should park it at a local campground and make the trip in your tow vehicle.

It is amazing though – I can’t begin to describe it and won’t attempt to. Here are some photos I took at Bodie.

A view of one street in Bodie.

 

Another view of Bodie SHP.

 

Everything left as it was...

 

Looking in the school house window.

 

The above photo is actually my favorite. I was looking in the school house and the reflection from the window revealed the beautiful scenery behind me and allowed a view from the school’s other window to see buildings on the other side of the street. It was one of those past, present, future moments for me. This place is absolutely amazing and the history of “the bad men from Bodie”  is fascinating. If you find yourself headed to the backside of Yosemite, take the hour drive northward to Bodie. You won’t be disappointed!

 

Colfax Train Depot

I think one of the neatest things about California is the railroad history. Who doesn’t love trains? We enjoyed visiting the different depots and train-related attractions. One of the biggest train museums is actually located in Sacramento in the older part of town.

Old Sacramento

If you have never visited “Old Sac”, you really should. Nestled among highways and skyscrapers are historic buildings and wooden boardwalks. It really is hard to imagine you are in a major city!

And of course, it’s only a block from the California State Railroad Museum.

California State Railroad Museum

There is a great deal to see and do in California. If you get a chance to visit, just don’t forget to get off the main highway and explore the history and beauty that the state has to offer.

We have our “get lost” days, where we just do that. We grab the road map, pack a lunch and take off in one direction and see where we end up! Our “get lost” days have turned into some incredible site-seeing trips.

One such trip was heading through the mountains to Downieville  and the Sierra Buttes. Although I will point out at this point, if you are heading into the unknown, make sure your fuel tank is fuel!

Downieville is a quaint little town and very beautiful drive. A few smaller towns along the route are rather interesting… one of which I regret not getting a photo of the “Dogs Playing in Street” sign!

Near Downieville

This is just a small sampling of some of the places we’ve seen and things we’ve done in California. From the Redwoods of the North to Death Valley in the South – California is an amazing place to visit.

Feel free to add your favorite sites and attractions in the comment section below.

 

March 8, 2009