Blogs from Nevada City, California, United States, North America

Aaaaaaaaaaaaah bliss! That's what it is at the life in Nevada City. I have been couch surfing a bit and have spent most of a lovely week at Joe's house, which was lovely as he is a fellow artist and garden lover. Then spent as much time as possible at the Yuba river or dirbiking. We camped there on Friday and watched meteor showers ate chocolate and drank wine while Colin played his guitar.... I love this river. So sacred and healing and clean and beautiful.......... read more

Dirtbiking rules North America » United States » California » Nevada City By iva doll July 11th 2007 Iva JanigaSo yesterday I went for a bike ride into town to take some photosof the cute little houses, then later I went dirtbiking for the first time. I haven't been on a motorcycle since Thailand so it was pretty sweet. We went up roundmountain and caught a great sunset, before heading into town for Nevada City's "Hot summer nights". ... read more

This is my second July 4th in the States. The first was years ago when I was a wee lassie, in North Dakota. We were camping, and everyone in the area produced a stash of fireworks and pooled them in a field. Our dog almost ate one that took too long to explode. This time, i was in Grass Valley, unfortunately, I did not have batteries for my camera during the best parts, and had to run during a break to get some, because it was just too good. True Americana, in a beautiful old unchanged, small town, overrun with old school flags and boyscouts. It was fabulous. While I made the jaunt out to the safeway, where the nice lady told me she had to work every July 4 for 20 years and always ... read more

Today we hiked the West side of the South Yuba Independence Trail, just North of Nevada City off of Highway 49. The Independence Trail is built on the original water course of the 1856 Excelsior Ditch. This canal carried water from the South Yuba River to the hydraulic gold mines in Smartville about 25 miles away. The Excelsior Ditch is an ingeniously designed and constructed facility made up of a combination of earthen and rock walled ditches and wooden flumes. Because the Ditch was designed to transport water, its nominal gradient makes it well suited for an easily accessible trail. From the beginning of the Independence Trail in 1978, Sequoya Challenge (a non-profit corporation) has constructed trail and facilities suitable for accommodating individuals with a broad range of physical challenges. In recent years, a partnership between ... read more

After much rain, we finally got a week-end of some fine weather and decided to take a short drive along Highway 49 and the very scenic South Yuba River Canyon. This day we made two stops, first at the old Highway 49 bridge. The old Highway 49 bridge (1921) an outstanding example of the concrete Rainbow arch-style construction which was very common in the 1920's. After over 70 years of use, the bridge was closed to automobile traffic in 1993. The old bridge is now used for foot traffic and for viewing the spectacular river canyon, it is a good spot to river-watch and access to the water. During the summer after the winter rains and the spring snow melt, the turquoise water slows down and turns crystal clear making for a great swimming hole. Our ... read more