Cars, Trains and Boats

It was another beautiful Sunday morning (Oct. 14) as we made our way down from the foothills and into the agricultural flatlands of California's central valley.  This time it was a short hour-long drive to the very small town of Nicolaus.

We found our RV park at Lake Minden and pulled into one of the narrow spaces.  Unlike Lake of the Springs RV park, Lake Minden was compact with tight spaces, more activity and no deer.  The lake was the main attaction.  It was like an oasis in the heart of the farmland.

Ron's passion for trains put the California State Railroad Museum first on our list of places to visit.  Sacramento was only a half hour drive, so we spent the day visiting the museum and wandering the streets and shops of historic Old Sacramento.

The railroad museum is incredible . . . probably the best one in the country.  We never get tired of seeing its displays.  There are more than 20 restored locomotives and railroad cars, thousands of smaller exhibits and artifacts, and an extensive collection of toy trains that includes an operating Lionel layout. 

Here are a few photos of train stuff:

Huge Cab-forward Engine - Built in 1944 and taken out of service in 1956

Old Timer wood burner from the early 1800s
 

Train Kitchen

Restored dining car displays table settings from different railroads



Operating toy train lay-out

An important part of California's Gold Rush history has been preserved in Old Sacramento State Historic Park along the banks of the Sacramento River.  This district was the commercial center of the Gold Rush.  It was also an important transportation crossroads, connecting supply roads from the mining regions to the railroads and river steamboats.  Sacramento became the state capital in 1854.

It was interesting to learn that, after the city's commercial district had gradually moved eastward, the old district became a slum.  It continued to deteriorate until a redevelopment plan was adopted in the 1960s.  Since then, 53 commercial buildings have been preserved or reconstructed and Old Sacramento is now a National Historic Landmark and major tourist attraction.  With lots of shops and restaurants, it's a very nice place to spend an afternoon.

 

Second Street - Old Sacramento

Old Sacramento

Ron was ready to make another trip to Sacramento to see the car museum when he discovered that the International Auto Show was taking place.  So, while Bonnie was learning the creative art of "beading" at the RV park, Ron returned to Sacramento to the Auto Show.

The show featured the usual new car models as well as historical vehicles, horseless carriages, classic cars, art cars, motorcycles, etc.  This year, electric and hybrid vehicles were especially popular.  But we won't bore you with dozens of car pictures.  Instead, we'll include just a few of the more unusual vehicles.

This is an "Art Car", plastered with pens of all kinds.

Ron found the most interesting part of this show to be a small display of restored recreational vehicles.  He talked with the owner of this 1948 travel trailer who did most of the restoration work in his driveway.  It was like new inside and out . . . very nice!

And how about this motor home?  It would attract a lot of attention in any campground.

On Oct. 20, Lake Minden was the site of the annual hydroplane races.  It wasn't a real big event and the boats were fairly small, compared to those that race in Seattle's Gold Cup on Lake Washington.  Even so, the participants were enthusiastic about their sport and the competition was fierce.  It was a fun event for the campground to watch and a nice way to spend our final day at Lake Minden.