South Lake Tahoe to Sacramento, California 5/17/2017

May 17, 2017 (Wednesday)

Woke up to snow. The wind had died down but it was quite chilly when we were loading up the car and getting ready to check out.

We had our cereal and coffee breakfast and then headed out. The drive today was about 100 miles (all downhill) and quite beautiful. Could not count all the waterfalls we saw along Highway 50. So lovely. The trees looked greener and more healthy than they have in quite awhile. Good to see it. We stopped to look at a 5^th wheel trailer in Sacramento and then headed on to have lunch with friends in Old Sacramento.

“…the great inundation in January 1850.”

Oh My Goodness, a sourdough cheese laden sauced up appetizer, Pretty excellent.

The friends are Marilyn and Carolyn and I’ve known them since the third grade (a long time). They are the sweetest people in the world, and have been since we first met. Carolyn was the friend we met up with in Salt Lake City last Saturday, but she lives in Sacramento. I had planned on contacting them to try to get a visit in when we got down to Sacramento – so it worked out nice as I got to see Carolyn twice. The lunch was wonderful. We ate at Rio City Cafe – right on the water. Really yummy and a great view.

After our visit, Michael and I headed to the Capitol.

Going through security, I thought Michael was going to get arrested because he took a picture and that is a big no no. They even asked him to delete the picture he took. I told them they were worse than the New Jersey Capitol security. We were able to get a tour and the tour guide, Tabitha, was wonderful. There were five of us in the tour and we asked all types of questions and she was able to answer them. We got to see the Senate, the House, the rotunda, the lower level, the new building, pictures of the Governors, stories of old – very fun. It’s a lovely Capitol. We have been in it many times before but we have never taken the time to take a tour and we were glad we did.

Large and pretty. Lots borrowed from the Acropolis.

Corinthian capitals, Greek in every way.

Shoe shine kiosk, not nearly as busy as it used to be.

Each county in California gets a space to display its pride and accomplishment.

Just outside the Governor’s Office, a brass bear donated by then Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Many hands pet the bear and spread many germs.

Statue of Ronald Reagan in the basement rotunda.

All states celebrate Presidents that hail in any form from that state.

The building has been built with not always well planned add ons.

Our guide, Tabatha, a very pleasant and knowledgeable woman.

Tabitha told us one story about a former Governor of California who was only the Governor for five days. Apparently the goal of politicians was to go to Washington DC. There happened to be an opening for a Senator and he took the job. She also showed us some secret stairs in the Capitol, between the old building and the new.

Governor Brown’s portrait is the most valuable of all due to it being done by Don Bachardy.

Ceiling changed, lowered, cuts off design of original walls near the top

After the tour we went outside and walked the grounds. We were on a mission to see the “moon tree,” the tree that went up to the moon and back and then was planted on the Capitol grounds. Michael was finally able to find it. Too fun.

The seedling went to the moon on Apollo 14, brought home and planted here.

Planted shortly after Feb 9, 1971, it is now huge.

On our walk back to the parking garage, we stopped to get a light snack for dinner to take back to our room.

Our “home” for the night is a La Quinta Inn. It’s okay – it’s a hotel and we’re pretty tired of being on the road. (Priceline for about $70.00.) That was our day. Hope yours was great!