Jamestown, CA

Early yesterday, when I rose at 4:30 am to get a good start on a daytrip to Yosemite National Park, I was wide-eyed and bushy tailed with anticipation. I was also looking forward to views and amazing sights along the way. Although many Greater Sacramento residents will take Highway 99, toward Manteca as route to Yosemite, I did not. Those that live in the North Eastern part of Greater Sacramento (Fair Oaks, Gold River, Rancho Cordova), have a shorter and more rewarding route by taking Sunrise Boulevard to Highway 16 (Jackson Highway) and heading South East.

Highway 16 travels through the town of Sloughhouse, connects to Highway 49, which meanders through 1850s California Gold Rush towns - Drytown, Amador City, Sutter Creek, Jackson, Angels Camp, San Andreas, and other historic places in close proximity along the way.

I arrived at Don Pedro Recreation Area, shortly after sunrise. A rest area next to the road, presents an awesome vantage point. It was the perfect place to open the cooler, and have a little breakfast - snap a couple photos while stretching my legs. As the sun continued its elevating journey to the sky, I watched its light jump from leaf to leaf.

Don Pedro Lake, also known as Don Pedro Reservoir, boasts 160 miles of shoreline and approximately 13,000 acre-feet of surface area at full lake level. The recreational treasure provides camping, boating, fishing, swimming and water sports for visitors. The annual fireworks show over the lake each July 4^th is an anticipated event for the area.

The Don Pedro Recreation Agency, which is responsible for the recreation element of the Don Pedro Project, is sponsored by the Turlock Irrigation District, the Modesto Irrigation District and the City and County of San Francisco.

For more information, call the Don Pedro Recreation Area at (209) 852-2396 - or you can visit their website at: http://www.donpedrolake.com

The merchants in Jamestown, CA will sponsor a Trick or Treat Street starting at 11am on Sunday October 31, 2010. A Harvest Festival Parade will start at noon, staging will be at Donovan Street heading towards Jamestown Elementary School. Then the festivities begin at Jamestown Elementary School noon to 3 with a free pumpkin patch. Happy Halloween!

Come and ride the renovated Sierra No. 3. This special train with run at 3:00 and 4:30 on September 4th & 5th 2010. The other train runs on the hour from 11 - 3. This is located in Jamestown, CA at the State Historic Park, corner of 5th Avenue and Reservoir Road.

(c)copyright 2009 Kathleen Burby