Drive down Main Street

[49er]

Happy New Year and what better way to celebrate but taking a drive in our SL. Unusually warm weather persists here in the foothills (70f today) so the soft top is still stowed. Here are a few pictures of our little town of Placerville's (formerly "Dry Diggings" then "Hangtown" for some early Gold Rush justice at the end of a rope:-) Main Street taken by lovely navigator through the windshield.

John

[hank sound]

Happy New Year, John........

Your "lovely's" photos make me yearn, yet again, for my old home in Tahoe City that I had some 36 years ago.   Interestingly, instead of an oil rig in the center of the town's main drag like your's, yet slightly off to the side, we had a huge old pine in the middle of town, smack in the middle on the double yellow line that separated and wrapped around the tree   One night (dark and fuzzy, I'm sure), someone thought the tree's location should be "elsewhere".     Not a wise or healthy move was that, though as a result of the massive hit, the TCRPA did cut it down! Even without that gorgeous tree standing tall and proud in the heart of Tahoe City, it is still a very beautiful and vibrant location - though (from your pics)  I think I like your town almost as much as mine - and your rig is still there !!!

My recently purchased Ingrid, is finally in my shop of choice - so as to make her truly roadworthy and dependable (like for a Burbank to Tahoe and back road trip).  
This coming Spring, I'll be on my way up North.    I'd love to stop by to say hi - if I may

Be well,

Hank

[49er]

Good Morning Hank,
  It would be great to see you and "Ingrid". We are not far off of Hwy 50 on the westside of Placerville. I will send you my email address so you can get in touch with me. We go up to the lake and Tahoe City often. City has grown considerably since you lived there. Pretty much snowless too which has been quite a change from last year. Only a few flakes have fallen since the 1st of November and the mountains are pretty bare.
 The "oil rig" in the photo of Placerville's Main street is actually a bell tower. The original tower was put up in 1853 and was used to summon volunteer's to fight the fires that ravaged the early mining camps. The bell was added in 1865 and came from England. Quite a prize in it's day. The existing tower was put up in 1898 and still used until the 30s but now just on special occasions and gets decorated for Christmas.

John

[49er]

Hope I am not wearing out my welcome here but the weather has been so darn nice (record highs for this time of year) we just can't keep the car in the garage. Drove down today to the spot (the little town of Coloma) where gold was discovered here in California back in 1848 and had the place to our selves. Crossed over the American River there on a one lane bridge built in 1915. Hardtop is all ready to go back on but if the weather stays like this, it looks like more topdown rides await us:-)

John

[hank sound]

Hey John, ride that weather for all its worth :D

Cheers, Hank

[Iconic]

Hope I am not wearing out my welcome here

John,
Keep it coming.
There's salt all over the road around here, so I'm happy to live vicariously through you.
That is quite a car .... as you know.

[J. Huber]

Hey John. Well, I thought about you this afternoon as I looked up and saw nothing but blue skies... I figured you just couldn't come to put that hard-top on quite yet. And guess what? me neither! took a spirited ride on a couple nice backroads. Seemed like May to me...