Horse and carriage with “new Sacramento” in the background
Mark and I drove across the country and temporarily moved to California to enjoy a warmer winter than last year in New England. So far, we cannot complain. It is not as hot here as in Southern California or Florida (or French Polynesia :-)), but the 70 degree daytime temperatures (20s Celsius) have been very pleasant.
Because it will get colder and rainier soon, we take advantage of the sunny days by going on long walks and hikes with Herk (the cute rescue dog we are currently caring for), even during the week.
Start of one of the many trails in Auburn State Recreation Area
View in Auburn State Recreation Area
Walking a loop in the Rec Area
Highway (I-80) bridge
The main valley and river in Auburn State Recreation Area
Hidden Falls
Hidden Falls Regional Park – at 4pm, the sun is hidden by the mountains
Walking back to the car before sunset in Hidden Falls Regional Park
I-80 bridge from a different angle, on a different walk
Following the valley on an easy hike in Auburn State Recreation Area
Walking the popular Quarry Trail, along the river
Herk is having a great time; there are lots of good sniffs!
Herk in Auburn State Recreation Area
Turn around point on one of our sunny walks
Northern California is not new to us – Mark and I met here in November 2004 – but the Sacramento area is. As I have mentioned before, one of the greatest joys of our house and pet sitting lifestyle is the opportunity to explore different areas and fascinating parks. While some places in the US are more spectacular than others (the Rocklin environment is not too special), we always find enough beautiful parks to discover, exciting trails to conquer and interesting cities to visit. California has a lot to offer the outdoor enthusiast and city lover. We are doing our best to experience some of it first-hand!
Downtown Sacramento:
Capitol Mall leads in between tall office buildings to the Capitol
Sacramento Capitol
Capitol building
Mark and Herk pose in front of California’s Capitol
Leland Stanford Mansion
Firemen monument in Capitol Park
Many weddings and wedding photography take place in Capitol Park
The Vietnam Memorial
The Vietnam Memorial is well-done and touching
Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament – I wonder whether Sacramento is named after it?
Governor’s Mansion – Nancy Reagan found the mansion not up to her standards, so the pair rented a house elsewhere in the city during Ronald’s governorship
Old Town:
Tower Bridge spans the Sacramento River
The Tower Bridge was built in 1935
MV Delta King
Ship’s bell along the waterfront
Old Sacramento contains many brick buildings
Herk relaxes in Old Town – he was not a fan of the busy, touristy sidewalks
2nd Street in Old Town
“Ancient” hardware store and store fronts in Old Town
Old Town
Midtown:
Sutter’s Fort in Sacramento
This is an interesting location for the fort, right in the middle of town
Victorian Row in Midtown
Older houses sit alongside newer ones in Midtown
Sacramento Auditorium
Old and new in Sacramento
German beer garden in Midtown
Anti-Trump demonstration in Midtown, yesterday
Rose Garden in McKinley Park
Still blooming strong!
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November 14, 2016 at 18:25
It looks like you are having a great time taking advantage of the area and the weather. If you haven’t already, you might want to check out some of the little towns around Calaveras, Amador, and Tuolumne Counties (like Murphy’s, Angeles Camp, and Sonora). They are pretty and fun to wonder around in.Of course, Mark Twain made Angles Camp famous in his short story, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. Lots of wineries in that area too, if you like that sort of thing.
November 15, 2016 at 11:41
Thanks for the tips, Janis. We have not ventured that far out yet. I have been reading about the sequoias in Calaveras and I’m looking forward to exploring some of the Gold Rush towns as well. Let’s hope the sun keeps showing up during the weekends and that it does not get too cold the coming months! 🙂 Thinking about a winery “hop” on my birthday weekend (Lodi or Shenandoah region), the end of November. Heaps to do and see everywhere. I love it!
November 14, 2016 at 19:07
We’ve driven through Sacramento heaps of times but have never stopped — it looks like a beautiful city. I’ve always wanted to go camping in Yosemite, but we it’s always been too cold when we were in the area. Do you have any plans to go?
Stephanie @ SV CAMBRIA</a
November 15, 2016 at 11:45
Parts of Sacramento remind me a bit of Washington DC and some of the neighborhoods made me think of Burlington, VT. I like strolling around town – wide lanes and sidewalks and loads of trees. And who doesn’t like to look at a bright white capitol. 🙂 Mark and I visited Yosemite with my parents over a decade ago, when we first met. We haven’t been back yet, but hope to next year. We just looked into going for my B-Day weekend, actually, but they don’t allow dogs anywhere, except in the campgrounds and, really, it is too freaking cold for that right now. If they are even still open. 🙁
November 14, 2016 at 19:20
My one and only marathon was four years ago in Sacramento, the California International. Looks like you are getting to explore a great deal of the city. We are going to be in the area the first week of December. If you would be interested in seeing if we might get together for a coffee my email is traveltalesoflife@gmail.com
November 15, 2016 at 11:48
We are only a 25 minute drive away from Sacramento, so it seems to be our “go to” place now when we don’t feel like joining the crowds in nature around here on the weekends. 🙂 We are getting a good feel for the city. A marathon, Sue! You are truly amazing. And, I can’t wait to meet you! Why don’t you come to the area the first week of December and we can make that happen? 🙂 I’ll shoot you an email soon…
November 14, 2016 at 20:28
Great Country. Wife and I were station there in the 1960s while serving in the air force. We lived east of there in Rough and Ready.
November 15, 2016 at 11:52
That’s great, Scott. Lots to do and see, and quite the history as well… A lot of people in this area seem to serve in the air force.
November 14, 2016 at 22:18
Great photos, Liesbet. Your lifestyle definitely gives me itchy feet!
Donna
http://www.retirementreflections.com
November 15, 2016 at 11:54
Thanks, Donna! What are you waiting for? 🙂 This is the best time for you two to go and explore again, right?
November 15, 2016 at 02:10
Your hikes with Herk the rescue dog, look great. He is pretty cute too. I love how in Northern California one is so surroubded by nature and can easily access walks, rivers, mountains etc. Looks like you got a good spot for the winter. (I assume you are house sitting…)
Peta
November 15, 2016 at 11:56
Yes, we are house sitting in the area here until January 10th. The weather has been enjoyable, but we see it is changing soon. Not bad for the winter, but we hope to make it further south in January. It is still a tad cold here for our “tropical” bodies. Much better where you are! We love to take the dogs we are sitting for hiking (and camping when it is not too cold) trips! 🙂
November 15, 2016 at 03:55
Sacramento looks an interesting mix, Liesbet. And, oooh, a meeting with Sue!!!! 🙂 🙂 Thanks for sharing and good luck with the writing.
November 15, 2016 at 11:57
Yeah, right!? Imagine that, Sue coming to my neck of the woods. When are you swinging by? Lots of walks to have… 🙂
November 15, 2016 at 04:14
You guys do have a great thing going there with the long-term house sitting. Enough time to get to know and enjoy an area. Herk looks like a great dog. I’m always glad when people adopt rescue dogs and give them a good life full of love and treats.
November 15, 2016 at 12:00
That’s right, Ellen, but, since we don’t have the next house sit lined up, it is starting to cause a bit of anxiety. We don’t like to plan far ahead of time and something will more than likely come up, but sometimes we wonder, when it is less than two months out… And, we are getting picky, desiring warm weather over the winter. 🙂 Are there any other dogs than rescue dogs? Adopt, don’t shop! 🙂
November 15, 2016 at 08:58
Looks like a great place to be for a few months. Great pictures, including the memorials to firemen and Vietnam – both movingly done.
November 15, 2016 at 12:01
I am impressed by the memorials in Capitol Park. And, in many other parts in this country. It is one of the reasons why Washington DC is such an amazing and impressive place to visit as well. We are happy here… for a few months. 🙂
November 15, 2016 at 12:52
Sorry, Liesbet- more chance you’ll come my way 🙂 🙂
November 15, 2016 at 15:59
🙂
November 15, 2016 at 13:42
It looks like wonderful hiking up there and please give Herk a big hug from us xxx
November 15, 2016 at 16:00
I will certainly do that, Xenia! I just finished my after lunch snuggles with him. 🙂
November 15, 2016 at 15:40
Liesbet the running a marathon crept onto my bucket list ever so slowly. I spent decades saying i would never do one. Then as I approached 50 I started thinking maybe I should try. It was one of the toughest things I’ve ever done. So grateful to have had good health and the support of Dave (five time marathoner) and good friends who had run dozens to coach and cheer me through.
I’ve responded to your email so hoping we find a way to connect.
November 15, 2016 at 20:09
You ventured out on a great weekend! Too bad we were so busy! Great photos and always amazing to see photos of my hometown by another blogger! If you like snow, Tahoe will have plenty soon! Enjoy the leaf show, this is the peak time until after Thanksgiving, once the winter storms show up!
November 16, 2016 at 12:09
We like looking at snow, but hate the cold! Might get up to Tahoe again this winter… not sure. Love the leaves turning, but… not the colder temps. Did you say winter storm, Terri? 🙂
November 15, 2016 at 20:56
If you go wine tasting in Lodi, visit Oak Farm. They have a really lovely tasting room and patio. Lots of tasting rooms in Lodi’s old downtown area too.
November 16, 2016 at 12:10
Thanks, Janis! Writing that down right now. Mark is arranging it for my birthday, but I’ll let him know. 🙂
November 22, 2016 at 05:16
Brings back very happy memories of visits and family get together’s over the past 30 years . . . .
November 22, 2016 at 13:34
That’s nice to hear, Becky. Sacramento has some “hidden” charms, we are discovering! 🙂