Columbia, CA

 The coddiwomplers have been visiting  family  in sunny California. The folks took us to one of the most historic towns in the state: Columbia. It is an old mining town. The town is habitated by workers wearing  period costumes.  The kids were treated to a stagecoach  ride, and "held up" along the route. A photography studio took all of the kids in a dressed up picture, which they loved very much. 

The Family  has a comfortable house that my Uncle built. We all had the option  to sleep inside, but Kimber and Nickole chose a front yard location to pitch a tent. Becky, Tyrel and I slept out on the back deck beneath the stars. Uncle told us one of their neighbors watches a black bear and cubs outside the house  many mornings.  We saw wild turkey. I was convinced I heard a wolf in the wee morning  hours, but Uncle said there are no wolves near his house, though they have been reintroduced northern parts of the state. I am quite familiar with  coyote sounds... this was not a coyote.