Day 3, Tuesday, 6/16: Sutter’s Mill, John Marshall Gold Discovery Site, exploring gold country

After a pancake breakfast, we went to Sutter’s Mill on the American River and to the exact spot John Marshall discovered gold.  We enjoyed the history and scenery of how California became the Golden State and imagined what the gold rush of 1849 must have been like.  We then panned for gold in the river, pulling out a few tiny gold flakes.  After a few museum stops, we continued driving/exploring Gold Country and ended up in Placerville.  We walked up historic Main Street and went into the hardware store that has been open and operating since 1852 (the longest continuing business site west of the Mississippi).  We also saw the place where people were hanged during the gold rush.  Placerville used to be known as Hangtown.  Then we walked about 1.5 miles, up hill, in 99+ degree heat to the Gold Bug Mine.  At times, the kids acted like they were on the Bataan Death March of WWII.  Once at the mine, it was refreshing to go into the cool interior.  Somehow, Ryan was freezing in there almost immediately, as can be seen in the picture(s) with his arms pulled into his sleeves :).  After the mine, we had well deserved ice cream and drove back to the RV.  Andrea and I fished in the river while the kids played on their phones for the first time in 3 days.  Later, Andrea and Sarah got up close to a female deer and saw another deer running/jumping.  I fished at sunset and saw a large doe in the middle of the river walking towards me about 50 yards away.  She was beautiful walking in the flowing river.  It was a fun but hot day.

Sutter's Mill

Panning for gold where gold was first discovered

man hanging on a noose in background in "Hangtown," USA

Placerville (Gold Town), CA

Inside Gold Bug Mine (Ryan trying to stay warm with arms inside his shirt)