The following
morning (9-18), I stopped at the railroad museum in Portola. I can talk about these things
now that I’ve come out of the closet (as being a railroad buff). The have a very nice
collection of diesel engines, including many in operating condition. Much of the
collection is from the Western Pacific Railroad, which built the original lines through
the Keddie area and Feather River Canyon. The Western Pacific doesn’t exist any
longer, however, having been taken over by the Union Pacific in 1982. This particular day
happened to be the one day in the year that the museum people get a bunch of the engines
running, form small freight trains with their rolling stock, and do "run-bys"
for railfans and photographers. Lucky me!
The side-trip to Portola caused me to alter
my route a little bit, and I ended up taking California Highway A-23 for about 15 miles
through Sierra Valley. There were mountains all around me, but the road was as flat as a
pancake. Also, I encountered the exact same number of big trucks that you would expect to
find on an average pancake. (I just know someone is going to think that’s three or
four.)
After I rejoined Rt. 89, I
found a very interesting highway sign. Don’t blame me if I get lost today. It seems
that the California Department of Transportation isn’t sure which way is North.
I stopped in the small town
of Sierraville just to get something to drink, but ended up with a piece of (warm)
Ollalaberry pie and ice cream. Yeah, I never heard of it either, but it was mighty good. I
guess in Washington State the same berry is called the Marionberry. I remember seeing
signs about Marionberry
pie or jam when I was in Washington, but other than that had never heard of it either.
Eastern people – you’re missing something good – better head for California
or Washington.
Near the city of Truckee, I
stopped at a rest area that was the site of the Donner
Family encampment during the winter of 1846/1847. In case you don’t know the
story, the Donners led a group of 87 emigrants to California on an untried
"shortcut" (the Hastings cutoff) through Utah and Nevada and then (intended)
across the Sierra Nevada just North of Lake Tahoe. The shortcut didn’t turn out to be
one, and the group arrived at the Sierra Nevada mountains much later than planned. Then
the Donners had a problem with one of their wagons and fell behind the rest of the group.
(Great
Adventures to Scenic Places)
