John and I decided to follow Historic Highway 49 for a week. The discovery of gold in California at Sutter's Mill in 1848 set off the largest gold rush in history. Reminders of this abundantly rich history can be found everywhere along Hwy 49 as it winds and meanders through the Mother Lode mining towns of days gone by. We tried our hand at gold panning, which we finally got the hang of the day before we left. Mostly, we were able to relax and enjoy the scenery and the ambience of the Old West small towns still standing.
First place to pan near Oakhurst, formerly known as Fresno Flats in the 1850's.	John, NOT getting his feet wet thanks to his waders.	Lynn - venturing in deeper — with a chest-high waterproof suit on. The feeling of the water on the suit was still pretty cold!	Experienced gold panners giving John some pointers.
Fields and fields of wild lilac throughout most of Highway 49 gave the air a sweet scent.	Old West town of Mariposa, established in 1850.	You can buy this house for cheap!	The view from Hell's Hollow of the Merced River.
Nice way to spend an afternoon on the Merced River.	John setting up the sluice box.	You talkin' to me? Photo taken in Angels Camp.	Main street of Angels Camp, est. 1848, home of the Calaveras Jumping Frog Jubilee. The camp at one time had as many as 4,000 miners working the surface gold.
Mokelumne River in Calaveras County.	Enjoying the sun!	South fork of the American River by Caluma, where Sutter's Mill was built in 1848.	Our hotel in Hangtown. The Original Thomas Kinkade Gallery is located on the right.
Panoramic view from our hotel balcony in Placerville. Originally called "Old Dry Diggings" the town later earned the infamous name of "Hangtown" for the overzealous use of hanging as a means of justice. Hangtown was center stage for the "Wild West." You can see a stuffed dummy hanging near the top of the building across the street. Actually, the stump of the tree used for many of the hangings is now in the cellar as the building was built on top of it.
Crocker Art Museum, oldest art collection in California.	Inside of art museum.	Ferry boat turned hotel on the North Fork of the American River in Old Sacramento.	One of hundreds of old buildings in Old Sacramento from the mid 1850's.
Check out this site for more info on Highway 49.