One of our recent rambles was a visit to the historic site of Tragedy Spring. We began by heading west on Highway 88 heading west, then took the right-hand turnoff toward Tragedy Springs. (To follow the directions that follow, stop here and set your odometer.) Continue a bit farther along the Tragedy Spring loop road and […]
Memoir Tip: Two’s Company
The only thing harder than finishing your memoir is starting it. Or more accurately, finding a way to keep going to the finish line once you have started! If you’ve tried — and failed — to make much progress writing your memoir, here’s a simple tip that can help: find yourself a partner. Not an editor. Not a […]
Key in the Tree
Some discoveries just beg for a movie to be made about them. There must be a story behind this mysterious key, wedged firmly in the trunk of a tree at the top of Highway 4. A hidden treasure that this key would unlock? A clue to a long-forgotten murder? If you’d like to visit the mysterious key for yourself, […]
Hope Valley History
Hope Valley received its name from members of the Mormon Battalion making their way back to Salt Lake, who “finally had hope” of reaching their destination once they got this spot. Here they would have found water and grass for their animals, and a place to rest briefly before forging the difficult path down the rocky canyon ahead (Woodfords […]
Keto Tuna Burger
For vegetarians, it can be a challenge to get enough protein on a keto diet. Sure, you can always add scoops of protein powder to your shakes — but far better if you can find ways to up your protein intake from real food. If your vegetarian diet includes fish and eggs, try these tuna […]
Curtz Lake Mystery
Next time you’re up for a fun hike, try the short loop trail at Curtz Lake. Just over a mile long, it’s currently well-maintained (thanks to a recent joint effort between BLM and the Alpine Trails Association). There are plenty of scenic backcountry views along the trail, and interpretive signs make for interesting reading. For […]
Sloughhouse Adventure
Ready for an off-the-beaten-path adventure in Gold Country? Okay, so you’ve done Highway 49, walked the streets of Coloma, and seen Sutter’s Mill. Ready for a little different adventure in Gold Country? Here’s a recent discovery drive we took (with so much crammed in, we’ll finish it in Part 2!) Ever heard of Michigan Bar? Placer gold […]
Was Jacob Marklee Buried Here?
Alas, poor Jacob Marklee! His name lives on in his namesake town of “Markleeville.” But aside from that one honor, this first pioneer has largely been forgotten. We know Marklee was a Canadian, born about 1821. And we know he had a fine eye for real estate, picking out the beautiful 160-acre parcel (which now […]
Found: A Markleeville Pioneer!
The old wooden headstones that once graced Markleeville Cemetery have long since turned to dust. Time, neglect and a bit of vandalism have wreaked havoc here; sadly, most of those who rest in this historic cemetery now lie in unmarked graves. But this week, at least one of the cemetery’s mysteries was solved! Thanks to […]
Memoir Writing: Getting Unstuck
It happens to every would-be memoir writer: your words somehow just stop flowing. Or maybe, despite good intentions, they never get started. So you keep telling your kids you’ll get those family stories on paper. You ogle memoir books in the library and your local history museum. But when you sit down in front of […]
Walt Monroe Exhibit
Alpine County artist Walt Monroe was born in the tiny mining town of Monitor in 1881. His artistic talent became evident quite early when he began sketching murals in chalk on the schoolhouse walls at the old Webster School. At the age of 17, Walt had his first exhibit of wooden carvings. “In Markleeville, […]
Six Tips for Memoir Writers
We all have wonderful stories to tell! But memoir-writing can open up parts of yourself that you’ve long kept sealed. No wonder it’s so easy to put off! If you have a memoir inside that’s struggling to get written, here are six tips to help get your life story down on paper: 1. Start with […]