Monday we stayed put, in the California State Historical Park of Columbia. I spent a lot of time here as a kid because my mom’s friend Jill had a house here. We came for a visit most summers beginning when I was about 9, and when I moved out of my mother’s house I stayed with Jill for a month or so.
We visited the preserved town of Columbia; it was really hot, but the stores and buildings were nice and cool. Eddy and Owen liked the blacksmith a lot, Jonah liked the saloon where we drank sarsaparilla (bottled locally) and Kate liked the candy store.
Then we decided to drive up the hill to where Jill’s former house is. I knew that she didn’t live there anymore, but I thought it would be nice to show the kids. I have to say that I don’t remember the road being quite so steep or narrow! In my car it would have been much easier, but the van is good for road trips, not mountain climbing, and there were a few times where the bottom scrapped the road!
When I saw the bed across the stream, I knew that Helen and Ray still lived there. Almost all my time at Jill’s house was not actually spent at Jill’s, rather it was spent following Helen around. Helen lives right down the hill and is one of those warm amazing friends that every kid (and grown up!) should have in their lives. Seeing her was amazing and I’m glad the kids got to meet her.
Today we head to Los Angeles. I think Eddy is going to have to watch the US play Belgium in the World Cup on the road. Go USA!
And Now We Are Five 