Took off for a few days to spend Christmas in the snow. Chairman wasn't particularly happy about being left behind.
Such a nice drive out to the gold country and almost no traffic once you get to Hwy 120.
Stopped off in Oakdale to get some gouda and pet the animals. There's also a great thrift store down the road where Franklin got some waterskis last winter. This time we stocked up on books and bowling paraphernalia.
Got to the Dorrington Inn well after dark and decided to forgo cooking in favor of a short walk across the street for burgers and beer at the Lube Room. The name made us wonder if we'd stumbled upon the only gay bar in Calaveras county.
I think it was actually a garage or filling station at one time, hence the name. Nowadays its full of antlers and Clampers memerobilia and a big wood-burning stove to keep things toasty.
Icicle dueling.
And down for the night.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 2
Woke to find the snow had fallen steadily through the night and covered everything in a soft, white blanket.
Such a wonderful way to start Christmas.
Naturally, a snow man was in order.
We gave him Jesse's pipe and named him Mr. Fats on account of his midriff.
Bundled up for a nature walk with with flasks in pockets and saucers in tow should we stumble on a good sledding hill. Wound our way past a few houses til we came to an old Girl Scouts camp closed up for the winter. A little good-natured trespassing hardly ever hurts.
The phrase "winter wonderland" kept popping to mind.
Made a couple good runs in front of the Arts and Crafts building (action photos courtesy of Franklin) then headed back to the cabin for pre-dinner hot toddies.
I'd read out about the Lake Alpine Resort some 30 miles up the road that also had cabins and a restaurant with a giant stone fireplace. The lodge was originally built in the 20's but crumbled under heavy snowfall in 1932 with only the fireplace still standing. That and the fact that they'd picked us up in a Sno-Cat at the gate were enough to lure us out in the dark and snow for Christmas eve dinner.
Sure enough, after an hour of driving the road dead ended and just when we figured we'd gone too far or missed our ride, there it was.
"You've got a big surprise coming to you, Wendy. "
In spite of The Shining I really have such a soft spot for mountain lodges. Or maybe the weirdness just adds to their charm. Wish I'd ordered a steak, but the wine was cheap and I fell in love with the painting over the fireplace.
Just about the end of dinner the lights went out and we finished our drinks in red and green romance.
Sno-catted it back to the car and on down the hill in a warm glow of food and wine only to find ourselves in a holiday team-building excercise involving Old Bluey and a snow-drifted turnout. A good deal of pushing, digging and sparking of tire chains and we were back in the car high-fiving our collective genius and cheering our way home.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 3
Awakened warm in our little cabin once again to find the snow had fallen almost unceasingly through the night.
Huge chunks kept sliding off the roof with an enormous thud.
Old Bluey got a snow coat. Dusted her off and headed back up the hill to find some steeper sledding spots.
Richard staked our claim.
Tromped way up and made our own toboggan chute. Man those little disks go fast.
Lots of piling into banks and little trees.
Started further afield then though better of it as the snowfall thickened. Drove past our little cabin thinking we'd grab another ration of whiskey in Arnold only to find a half-mile long line of cars stopped dead and awaiting the arrival of a tow truck to clear two cars who'd slid and blocked the road. Following a unanimous decision not to spend Christmas in a traffic jam, another team-building exercise was successfully completed, this one involving a 6-point turn on a icy hill using human bumpers.
More high fives and time for a celebratory drink.
Icicles are good too.
Jesse bought us a round of Christmas whiskey. Didn't think they'd be open, but the place was packed.
Just as we walked out the clouds started to break and blue skies shined through.
Such amazing light through the trees.
Time for grilled cheese and tomato soup.
Warm fire inside and champagne chilling in the snow.
I think a wise man once said Risk on Christmas is a bad idea. He may be right as I missed out on all the Christmas ravioli.
Rich and Jesse adventured out in the dark and brought back the world's largest icicle. And to all a goodnight.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 4
Packed it up the next morning and started for home, stopping in Sonora for antiques and snacks.
Found a neat little soda fountain with an amazing cellar full of books. Sandwiches were pretty terrible, but I guess that's what we get for ordering sandwiches in an ice-cream parlor. Next time I'll just grab a book and get a hot dog at The Sportsman.
One stop shopping. Pollock got himself a Red Ryder, Richard and I got knives and a round of beers was enjoyed. I love getting out of the city.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gold in the hills? Our little cabin was part of the Dorrington Inn, which has five or six A-frame "chalets" and a couple rooms in the lodge. The chalets are small and cozy with a gas fire and little kitchenette and a lots of knotty pine. The historic Dorrington Hotel lies just across the street and has a nice looking restaurant inside and The Lube Room next door. Its a nice drive up once you get past the east bay, when farms start taking the place of strip malls along Hwy 120. The 49 is also one of my favorite roadways, with lots of little towns and historical markers and interesting looking saloons. Next time we'll get around to all those Clamper's plaques.