One of our favorite getaways is to go up to the “gold country” in the foothills of the Sierra mountains for a long weekend. This time we stayed a night in Angels Camp, then a couple more nights in the Sonora area. We were a bit surprised at how hard the recession has hit Angels Camp, not that we didn’t expect empty storefronts, but not so many of them. At ten a.m. one Sunday morning we walked up and down highway 49, which goes through downtown, and we’re surprised at how empty it was. Mrs. O wanted to check out a store that didn’t open until 1 p.m., so the next day we went back into Angels Camp for lunch, and other than a couple deli counters, there was nothing open. We drove just outside of town to find a 50s diner where we could sit down in a booth.
Sonora seems to be faring a little better, although a lot of people are very nervous. Three of the largest employment sectors have been hit hard. Construction has virtually stopped, lumber, which relies on construction, is right behind, and the corrections system (state prisons nearby) expects layoffs with the state budget problems.
Frankly, I was kind of glad to spend money up there — and I’m usually a bit of a skinflint.
We like to stroll the streets of Columbia, a state historical park that seems frozen in the 19th century. A number of movies have been filmed in part there, including High Noon. We also love the second story balcony of the National Hotel, on the main street of Jamestown.
The National is dog friendly (which goes a loooong way with us), we like the rooms and the restaurant with its outdoor patio, and we especially like hanging out on the balcony, up over the sidewalk, where our dogs will hang their heads out through the wooden slats and we can hear passing tourists down below exclaim, “oh, look at the dogs!”
Never ceases to make us smile. A cup of tea (or stronger), a good book, and there are fewer better ways to spend a relaxing, sunny afternoon.
We also took a nice hike out to Table mountain just outside of town–but I’ll save that for next.
OmbudsBen 
A cup of tea on that balcony would be idyllic 🙂 I bet that jasmine in the foreground smells lovely in the evening, too.
Oh my, I just want to plop in one of the empty chairs. Such a charming spot (and beautiful woodwork). Your masthead is fantastic, too.
I know how you feel about wanting to spread a little of your gains with those feeling this recession so badly. I used to feel a little guilty having so many girlfriend lunches, but now it seems almost patriotic. I was patriotic last week and will be again this week. Will look forward to more pictures.
You’re both right, Woo & Anhinga. It’s a lovely place to spend an afternoon. The two rooms in front both have windows out to the balcony, and we’ve rented each. When I retire, I’ld like to rent one of those rooms for a month (or even more!) and keep a bunch of books on the room’s windowsill. so I could simply reach in, when done with one, and select another …
That’s sad to hear those little Gold Country towns are struggling so. I remember driving going for a Sunday drive and coming up to Jamestown and being amazed at how bustling it was – full of tourists and locals alike. In fact, it was so bustling it was to the point where I wanted little to do with it (if I want bustling I’ll just go to the City, ya know?). Maybe come this fall when it cools down a spell another trip to the Gold Country may be on my itinerary.
LB, I meant to reply to this sooner, but I got caught in an occupational psycho-chaotic vortex, if you know what I mean, and you just might.
You definitely should go up to the Gold Country if you can. Now is a great time to see it–and they will be happy to see you. Jamestown is a little busier than some of the others, but it ain’t like it was during the boom times–and the Gold Country has always been defined by boom and bust. 🙂