This years’ 49er camp is in the history book. What a trip! This two day camping trip was a go go go right from the beginning. The drive from Woodland to Coloma was just over an hour. We were given two hours to get there. So with time on our hands we kept ourselves entertained by playing games for 45 minutes.
When game time was up, our time traveling hosts arrived from 1854. They were dressed for their time and even had an old western accent. I'm not sure if it was correct but it sounded good. Our first tour was of the old gold mines at Gold Bug Park. When we finished there, we drove our wagons to Coloma where John Marshall first discovered gold in California. We hiked among the hills and walked along the banks of the American river.
After visiting the saw mill in Coloma, we loaded up in the wagons again and traveled back in time to 1854 to the Rock-N-Water claim site. We had just enough time to pitch our tents before the evening grub was served. Mm! Mm! Chile, corn bread, chips and some fine salsa.
What's a camping trip without a camp fire? Well we had one alright. We had a hoe down! We didn't know we could dance or laugh so hard. Towards the end we were all praying for it to end. We were bushed! I think that was part of the plan. They got us and the kids so tired we fell fast asleep.
Seven am came soon enough and it was time to take the tents down. Breakfast at 8am consisted of eggs, potatoes, peaches and more of that salsa. The remainder of the morning we spent hiking around the claim. We learned all about the Native American lifestyle and how the gold rush brought about change in their lives.
At high noon we met up at the mess tent for tuna sandwiches and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches; and yes we had chips and salsa; and no it was not made in New York City! Time to go home came all too soon. We loaded up our wagons and stated the time travel back to 2008 to Woodland.
Life in 1854 was tough. Life now is good, but eternal life will be better! Praise God!