No miners actually made money from gold during the Californian gold rush, with the motherlode being the initial discovery, but others did including Mr Levi Strauss with his denim work trousers and Samuel Brannan who opened an extortionately-priced supply store and became the state's first millionaire. At Gold Bug mine it was easy to see why most didn't hit paydirt - a ton of hand-dug ore was considered good if it yielded an ounce of gold. We wandered deep into the hill but couldn't find any overlooked nuggets.
The area might be poor in minerals but it's rich in apples! Being a Somerset boy I'm well versed in God's own fruit and the variety and volume around here is impressive. It's like Napa Valley but with apples, and they can be found strudelled, pied, tarted, made into cookies, candles, soap, etc. etc. Though not enough turned into (hard) cider, in my opinion. The weather turned decidedly Somerset as well; the heavens opened, and Californians stared aghast at the skies wondering why they were grey and had water falling out of them. A little further north in Tahoe they were pleased to get the first snow of the season. Skiing tomorrow?
Kings of the wild frontier.
Going underground.
In a cavern, in a canyon.
The end of the line, and of any useful gold ore.
Pricey! It was about $20 an ounce in the year it was pulled out.
Who's in the mine?
Panning: easier than mining.
Hannah's haul, with a value that was difficult to calculate.
What are you doing to me?!
Like comparing apples to pumpkins.
Um...
Inside the shed at Rainbow Orchards, who coincidentally sell their wares at Walnut Creek market, while rain beats down on the tin roof.
As cute as apple pie!
Clever marketing.
Back at the hotel, and proof that the apple hasn't fallen far from the tree.
