Totally sharing right now. This was not a work trip or a day trip. It was a field trip for my 4th grader (well, now 5th grader) and her class. We went up to Coloma to a Christian adventure camp called Rock N Water. Talk about a refreshing two days spent with my oldest. No electronics, no cars (other than to get from point A to point B) and lots of walking through the most beautiful countryside I've been to in awhile. We had a guide named Maggie (who had the thickest Irish accent, it was endearing) who took us through trails and taught us about the Native Americans that inhabited the land. We learned about nature and what to eat to survive. We also learned about the Gold Rush. It was awesome. So, of course, I took pictures and I wanted to share.
If you are ever up in Placerville, check out a park called Gold Bug Mine, that's where we started. We hiked trails and toured two mines. Then we were carted off to the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma that has a small history museum, historic buildings and tons of trails to walk.
These are great places to take the kids for a day trip and for a great history lesson or just a nice walk through nature.
Lastly, we went to set up camp. Rock N Water has privately owned land where they have us camp, pan for gold, trail hike and more. If you are looking for a way to get the kids out and away from their DS, look into taking a group to Rock N Water. They are amazing and we had such a great time!
Most of my photos are of Gold Bug Mine and the Rock N Water property since it started raining on us at the State Park.
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| There was a lot of stairs. I got my workout! |
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| and the trail goes on... |
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| Maggie is showing us the benefit of chewing on pine needles. Surprisingly, they didn't taste too bad. Just don't swallow them! They help with keeping your body hydrated. |
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| These photos don't do the environment justice. To be surrounded by such vast beauty was incredible. |
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| Maggie was looking for the weed that helps with poison oak. |
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| Dinner was chili. Soooo good! |
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| The Rock N Water experience is like going back in time. The focus being on the Gold Rush. |
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| Our campfire host was funny but entertaining, teaching the kids how to juggle and the history of different games that came from different countries while people migrated to California during the Gold Rush. |
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| He is also a master juggler. |
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| Our last hike on the last day. |
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| One of our "Quiet Spots". We had the opportunity to separate ourselves to our own little corner and say quiet prayers, meditate or just enjoy our surroundings. Reflection is a powerful thing. |
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| Part of the Rock N Water property. |
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| Sweet Maggie. She taught the kids so much. |
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| We did pan for gold. One of the girls in our group found some. |
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| Seeds called Jobe's Tears. We made bracelets out of them. |
It was such a great trip, these photos can not possible encompass how wonderful the time there was but I couldn't help sharing :)
