So, perhaps it dates us, but we like to drive around just to see stuff. You can hardly throw a rock and not hit a festival of some kind around here, especially this time of year. We like it! It's fun! And, this weekend we had a choice between various and sundry harvest fairs, an open-art-studios tour, an eat-your-heart-out-you-don't-live-here dazzling-homes tour (all-for-a-good-cause, of course!), and so on. We chose Fine Arts Weekend in a tiny town nestled way back in the mountains on highway 49 called Sierra City (yesterday, was their Oktoberfest, but since we had done one, this year, already...).
But, it was really just an excuse to drive up there. Though we've lived here six months (!!), there are some fairly near-by locations that we haven't, yet, taken the time or gas to explore. And it's autumn! And a beautiful Sunday!In and around Grass Valley/Nevada City, there are trees turning amazing colors!
Most of them, of course, have been brought in from somewhere else, like New Hampshire. Nevertheless, they love it here (who doesn't?) and show it by decorating the landscape with bright reds, oranges and yellows. So pretty! Out a bit farther, though, in the natural Sierra Nevada forests, reds and oranges aren't quite as common, but the yellows are breathtaking! Cottonwoods, Aspens and Big-Leaf Maples are the main species, standing out against the dark evergreens. 
We made a big circle, starting out on Hwy 49, ate lunch in Sierra City (the "Fine Arts Weekend" consisted of a few buildings, each with a few photographs, pots or jewelry--but, hey! not bad for pop.250!), caught Hwy 89 on the other side of Yuba Pass, which got us to Truckee (ice cream) and I-80 west to Hwy 20 and home. We basically just sauntered, stopping frequently, enjoying the air. I'm pretty sure it dates us. Too bad.We love that it's all so close! I have gotten into the spirit of the townies, though. I went out, this
week, and bought a sugar maple and a Japanese maple. Also a dogwood, for spring. Just a few touches in amongst the oaks and pines...The pictures are: the courthouse in Downieville (on 49 on the way to Sierra City--mountain biking Mecca), the garden cafe where we ate lunch in SC, Tom reading about the Sierra Valley (largest valley in the Sierras), shots of the aspens along the road.
