Auborn to Kona

May 8, 2010 It's about 6:30AM and we are on our way to Hawaii, via Phoenix. It was a very early alarm, 3:30AM for about an hour drive to the airport in Sacramento. So grateful that we made the flight to Phoenix.

Yesterday was such a fun day! Before eating and with the lightest clothes we would find, Linda and I weighed-in at Weight Watcher's. We were both under our goal so, we met Mike a Starbucks and celebrated with a really strong cup of coffee,with extra cream and sugar!

Back at home we readied for a short road trip to Coloma, where the first gold nuggets were found during the 1849 California Gold Rush.

Linda packed us another delicious, nutrious lunch. So upon arrival in the state park, we sat at a picnic table eating, visiting and taking in the beautiful surroundings.

We toured the Visitor Center's displays depicting the short history of the gold rush. Linda wanted me to share with you the connection of the 1849 discovery of gold in California by James Marshall and it's current influences. We traveled from Auburn on highway "49". Northern California's favorite team the "49'ers. The state nickname, "The GOLDEN State". Had there been no discovery of gold in 1849, what would these have been called?

Mike and I were most greatly impacted by the ill treatment of the native Indians during this time.

Our teacher taught us so much about that great event. (Once a teacher, always a teacher!) Following are several pictures taken in Coloma. We actually panned for gold and gathered some 'dustings'. If you look close at the picture holding the pan, you can see the shine of gold, it's true!!

We went back down to Auburn and spent some time in "Old Town" and "Downtown". The following pictures are all taken in "Old Town". It is a quaint little town with lots of fun shops and restaurants that emitted scrumptous smells that penetrated the air. It made us hungry so, we had another cup of coffee and sat outside revisting the memories we had made these past couple of days.

Back at home we retreated to the 'veranda' for a late afternoon snack and some intense bird watching. Well, most of us 'retreated', Linda was back in the kitchen preparing another delicious, nuturious meal of salmon, stuffed mushrooms and zuchini sauteed in sesame oil (Chooch you would love that dish)

Marvelous Marvin stopped by for a little chat, which was good because Linda said I couldn't leave until I met him!

I provided the after dinner entertainment with a little bit of "Magic", yes, my magic coloring book is going all the way to Korea with me. Maybe I'll get to perform for Malia's nieces and nephews in Hawaii.

We are getting very close to an attitude of 'hanging loose', once we make the flight out of Phoenix to Kona.

Living life to the fullest, we are blessed, indeed.