Coloma/Gold Discovery Park & Sutter's Fort

19 May 2004

     This day's itinerary included a docent led walking tour of California's "Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park" in the Coloma Valley.  To add to the guided tour, our guests would receive instructions in gold panning at the American River very near the location where gold was discovered in 1849.  We would be met at the park by Keith's non-Slooper first cousin Tom Birch and his wife Dee.  They would assist our guests in our tour.   We then headed down from the Sierras to the State capitol of Sacramento to visit the historic Sutter's Fort State Historic Park before returning to the San Francisco Bay area.  This would be the last full day in the US for most of our Norwegian guests, as all but 5 would be flying home on the next day, the 20th.  At the end of this long day, Peg, Keith, 5 Norwegians & Wilma from Florida would end up with just one smaller van back at the borrowed San Francisco house near the Cliff House.
1

Relaxing & enjoying the early morning sun at the Auburn Super 8 Motel, we find Kate, Liv, Signy, Norfrid & Helga.
2

Once "rounded up and headed out" we arrive at the Visitor's Center of the Gold Discovery Museum.  Norfrid takes Håkon's photo.
3

We are met by our docent who introduces us to the various exhibitions on the park grounds.
4

She explains the workings of this ancient piece of equipment which we think is a stamp mill.
5

This stone building (the purpose of which escapes our memory) is the backdrop to additional explanations of life in the time of the California gold rush.
6

Down by the riverside, we manage to coral everyone together for a group portrait at this clearly signed location. On far right are Keith's cousin Tom & wife Dee who live in the area.
7

A few of the group consider the possibility that there still may be gold in that there river sand - this being the approximate site where those first nuggets were found.
8

Mormon Cabin..?
9

This sawmill replica is patterned after the one at which gold from the South Fork of the American River was first found.
10

Our knowledgeable docent describes the panning process. Many of those who hope there may still be gold just waiting for them to find, pay close attention.
11

 Whether searching for elusive gold, or the fun of reenacting this important part of California history, our guests enjoy the river bank with gold pan in hand.
12

A lunch is provided at the Coloma Grange building & we enjoy sandwiches, chips and sodas.  This was also Sonya's birthday & there is a cake & some gifts.
13

And one of the most interesting artifacts at this historic site (at least for some of the guys), was the beautifully restored Plymouth hotrod coupe driven here by Keith's cousin Tom.
14

Continuing with the California history theme, we visit Sutter's Fort near the downtown area of the city of Sacramento.
15

Entering through the south gate, we gather outside the orientation rooms.
16

From a guide, we receive welcoming words and a handout which includes a map of the fort with the locations of the various exhibits.
17

Einar & Ivar are pretty impressed with the American size of this coffeepot.  Okay, they knew it was an early still.
18

As we head out of town, there is also the obligatory pass by the state capitol.  We are completely unnoticed by Governor Schwarzenegger.
19

Sonya had plans to go to Los Angeles on a flight from the very convenient Sacramento airport, so we are able to drop her off there on our way out of town.
20

By now everyone is in the mood to try some California/Mexican cuisine.  We stop at Chili's in Vacaville where we are provided with numerous choices. 
21

Everyone was aghast at the size of the plates.  Even large Norwegian appetites were not expecting so much food.  To their credit, there are no complaints of "too spicy"
22

Back in the van for the final leg to the airport hotel, Liv (left) and many of the others need to be in place for the departure planes the next morning.  Jorunn and Helga (right) will stay a few more days.
23

The evening destination for the members of the group who would fly out of SFO the next day was the La Quinta Inn near the San Francisco airport. All, but 5 Norwegians plus Wilma from Florida, would spend the night here. Those staying, get checked in.
24

It was time to bid one another farewell in the lobby of La Quinta. Peg & Keith would run over to the airport to check in the 2 12 passenger vans & pick up 1 smaller van. Hugs & goodbyes said, they would then take the 3 Slogvik sisters, Håkon, Ivar & Wilma back to the borrowed "D-house" near the Cliff House.

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