On the Gold Trail

There's a gold mine in the sky far away
Pat Boone 1957

We managed to leave Mariposa without serious incident. (It was here that I redesigned the front end of my rental car last year.
A huge sigh of relief came from the passenger seat which was more fragrant than that which was emitted at the time of the accident!
We took our time today, wandering up SR49 (It really does wander too, round some serious hairpin bends). We stopped for photos at a couple of old mining towns, Jamestown and Coulterville.






After lunch in Angels Camp (the home of the jumping frog!!) we headed to The Moaning Caverns nearby.
Val chose the sensible option of staying in the car with her book whilst I decided to venture down the cave. Fool!
The first 90 steps were down a very narrow staircase with cave walls pressing in on either side. My claustrophobia was kicking in big time.
Once I got to the 65' level there was a caged metal spiral staircase down to the cave floor. Just 144 steps this one.
Meanwhile my guide had taken the quick way down on a rope.
After everything had been described and presented to me (I was the only idiot on the tour) I had to do the 234 steps back up.
I managed to get back to the top on my 'jelly' legs, proud of my efforts but in all honesty, it was pretty boring.
Still, someone had to do it!
I'd have rather been singing with Local Vocals who were busking today in Dorchester.

Overnight stay in a town called Lodi and dinner in the 'Richmaid' restaurant who's claim to fame is an appearance in 'American Graffiti'
As you can see from the picture, it's a real traditional American diner.