Rosie

Want to get out of the heat? If you are in Sacramento and your looking at the 7 day forecast of triple digit temps, you may.

Remember, Sacramento has access to both the coastal area and the mountains. When I was in high school 5 decades ago I had a history teacher who came from California. She told us that it was a 2 hour ride west and she could be surfing. Going east 2 hours she could be skiing. Coming from Long Island, N.Y. this sounded great. Well, I never surfed, or skied, but the concept that the climate could be that different impressed me. Last week my granddaughter spent the week at camp in Lake Tahoe. On Sunday June 11th it was snowing. Roads were icy, and we white knuckled it back home to Sacramento. My husband picked her us on Friday, the weather in the mountains had warmed up to the 80s. Yesterday in Sacramento we reached a record high for the date of 106. Happy for my air conditioning.

In Richmond, California there is a Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park. This is a gem of a museum. Lots to see, and it is easy for photographers to capture. Easy to get to, easy parking, and if you have a National Park Pass admission is free.

National Historical Park

Richmond scene

Lunchbox

There is a cafe right next door, but this time we decided to venture into Port Richmond. A local pointed us in the direction of a sandwich shop. After a salad sampler the streets of Point Richmond beckoned.

What I like about my outings and photography is coming home and diving deeper into the history of the places I visit, or learning more about my natural surrounding. I came across this interesting website, and learned more about this statue of an Indian in the center of a little park.

Second statue to be erected here.

Street of Point Richmond

Historic Hotel

You Are Here!

Point Richmond Reflected

Theater with Red Door

1910 Fire Station

Current Point Richmond Fire Station

We left Point Richmond, and found another cool place to explore, The SS Red Oak Victory Ship. More about that in my next post.

Grass Valley Street Scenes

I do not photograph a lot of architecture, but when in Grass Valley the subject presents itself. At first I wanted to capture the building itself. Flag flying, columns, an official seal. But without specialized lenses the buildings are leaning in all kinds of directions. I don’t know what is happening with the building on the right!

Nevada County Bank

The only information I could find about this building is that in 2015 this building was up for sale. The architecture’s classic style really shows through in this second photo.

I love the dome!

This Grass Valley Public Library has a classic look. At first I took a photograph eliminating parked cars, but with the cars the library feels used. After leaving Rough and Ready I didn’t want a ghost town feel for this library.

Grass Valley Public Library

This Art Deco theatre continues to serve as a theatre since 1940. Not sure which photo does it justice. Cars or traffic? In this case I may have opted for no traffic. What do you think?

Del Oro Theatre

This is another view of the theatre. Now imagine the scene with cars from the 1940’s?

Couldn’t resist taking a picture of the very mellow dog.

Bernese Mountain Dog

Some eye candy I found in a little shop on Mill Street

Cute onesie in a shop window. Note the CAPITAL letters!

A perfect bench fit for some ice cream

Less than 5 minutes away is the North Star Mining Museum. Visiting at the end of the day does not do this museum justice. This is a small museum packed with history about gold mining. I taught 4th grade for many years and in the spring the main focus was the California Gold Rush. I’m sorry that I did not know about this place. The friendly volunteers are very knowledgeable. And there is so much to take in that I know I will be back, and stop here earlier in the day.

Wolf Creek runs along the museum, and I took some time to photograph the running water with a slow shutter speed. I like the way the sun plays upon the water, creating colors. I see a face peeking out on the right. Do you?

Wolf Creek

Wonder about this stone sculpture in Wolf Creek. Looks like a whale on top to me.

This is just a tiny sample of this museum. This assay office and its importance to gold mining was explained in detail.

Assay Office

30 foot Pelton Wheel is an original working machine. This museum was built around this wheel. It is amazing to see in person. All types of mining equipment is found at the museum, along with the effect of mining on the environment, economy and the people of the region.

30 foot Pelton Wheel

Humble beginnings.

Just liked the patterns

I will be back to see more of this little North Star Mining Museum. Yes siree!!!

May be Rough, but certainly not Ready

Wanting to go explore some place new, my friend and I headed to the Gold Country.

Arriving at 9:00 a.m. I see many photo opportunities to get my camera clicking. This is represents a mining town in 1850. This town left the union in 1850 for a short time, and rejoined so that 4th of July celebrations could continue.

Mining scene complete with a prisoner in the jail

House with many old signs. Not sure what its purpose is now. Antiques?

Place to go for what ails you

Some humor from the creators

Pay attention to the toll charges.

Toll Road Marker

Toll Gate

Historic markers and gold mining scenes contrasts with all the No Trespassing and No Parking signs. I wonder what is going on.

Three “No Parking” signs in one parking lot

Community Events in Rough and Ready

Modern Fire House framed from the Post Office

Visiting on Saturday it was strange to see all the “No Trespassing” and “No Parking” signs and no people in town. The country store was closed up, and for lease.

Rough and Ready Country Store

The town appeared to be a ghost town in the making.

Good bye Rough and Ready

No reason to hang around so we head to Grass Valley in search of some lunch. Next post from Grass Valley.

Point Reyes National Seashore: Ocean Calling, but first explore the area’s history.

My friends know that I am drawn to the ocean. So we head to Point Reyes on a Saturday morning.

First stop is the Bear Valley Visitor Center where we meet with other photographers from Exploring Photography Meet Up. Laura picks up a hat, and I purchase a tee shirt celebrating the National Parks 100 year anniversary. 100% cotton, and made in the U.S.A.

We head out for a hike. Following the Earthquake Trail This is not my first time on this trail, but this time I have my Nikon with me.

Easy, short 1 mile hike

Serene lush setting

The San Andreas Fault line runs through the Point Reyes National Seashore area. The Pacific plate moves 2 inches per year, but on April 18, 1906 a 7.8 earthquake caused the Point Reyes peninsula moved 20 feet northwestward. The San Francisco earthquake caused much damage due in part to the fires that followed.

Walking along the San Andreas Fault line

Bird grabs a blackberry

Morning Glory

Quiet bench along the way

Spider web captures the sun

Hanging moss

Profile of relaxing pose

Elephant running

Much information to assist in preparation for the “Big One”

Don’t ignore the power of mother nature!

This meet-up has set up an itinerary, but the schedule allows for some changes. Before we head to our next destination, we pay homage to the infamous S.S.Point Reyes. This 380 ft. cargo ship is grounded on a sandbar in Tomales Bay. Located in the town of Inverness this ship has been a magnet for photographers. It was towed to its location, and was never shipwrecked. The protected inland area allowed the slow decay of this vessel. Until one night about 6 months ago when it accidentally caught fire during a photo shoot. Damage was done to the back end, and there is a question as to how long it will remain here. There are so many photographs that I was not totally interested in capturing it myself. But how can I resist. Recommended time for shooting is the golden hour, but with fog that was not going to happen. Anyway, I Iike the foggy atmosphere.

A perfect photographic spot to end its journey.

I played around with some processing techniques. It is not hard to see this as a painting.

During the earthquake in 1906, the pier in Tomales Bay sustained considerable movement. During restoration it was found to be curved, and 12 feet shorter.

Bailey’s pier at Inverness

Our next stop was to Abbott’s Lagoon. Here my friends and I encountered an easy trail with much nature to photograph. Now that I am home I can learn about some of the plants in the Point Reyes National Seashore.

This is a thistle, but I’m not sure which kind. I like the splash of color it lends to the area.

Even with closer photographs my chart to identify this plant is lacking.

My path forward

California Quail

There was a crooked tree…

This black beetle may have landed on some Cow Parsnip.

Two friends resting

Abbott’s Lagoon trail

This may be Brownie Thistle

Our next stop was Pierce Point Ranch. No sign of promised sun, and we picnicked nearby. I was surprised by how many dairy farms were located so close to the coast. Pierce Ranch was one of the most successful dairy ranches in the area, and the buildings provide some interesting photo opportunities.

I like the way the fence leads your eye to the farm house.

Lovely light in this barn

Foggy and cool

Outhouse

Reflections and foggy

Reflections and a peek through the door

Self guided tour through the farm complex

Goldfields

This interesting bumble bee is targeting this yellow wildflower.

I can’t identify the flower, but the bee sure knows what he wants.

Monochromatic capture

Though the fog I see the Pacific Ocean

Careful not to step on this catarpillar

Farmhouse scene

As we were leaving the Pierce Point Ranch area we finally see some Tule Elk. This is also home for the Tule Elk Preserve.

Tule Elk

Still hoping for sun we head to the Point Reyes Lighthouse. Too foggy to even see the lighthouse.

We head to North Beach, and here comes the sun. Yeah!

Only a part of North Beach is open for the public.

Finally get to hear the roar of the ocean waves!

Wildflowers along Point Reyes North Beach

Great day, and a big thank you to my friends Anne, Laura, and Linda!

Until the coastal waters call to me again.

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A Photo's Worth

Words & Images by marlene frankel

Northern California

Rosie

Grass Valley Street Scenes

May be Rough, but certainly not Ready

Point Reyes National Seashore: Ocean Calling, but first explore the area’s history.