We were in dire need of an autumn fix so off we jumped in the car and drove to Murphys, a town that was formed during the 1840's California gold rush. There's nothing not to like and everything to love about this small mountain town. It's quaint, charming and home to 22 wineries and lots of places to eat. (Editor's side note: Murphys has gotten a bit foo-foo of late but we chose to ignore that vibe.)
Once you leave the Bay Area traffic and the flat San Jonquin Valley behind, the low-lying Sierra foothills beckon with their undulating forms and wide open vistas. It's a lovely drive. The sky kisses the vast grasslands and fields, which eventually give way to stately oaks, native shrubs and rock outcroppings. The mountain peaks loom on the horizon.
Eventually the straight road goes serpentine, the speed limits drops, time slows down, and a final turn leads right down the heart of a tree-lined street complete with historic buildings and modern boutiques. We could just feel our bodies relax yet tingle with anticipation as we parked our car, grabbed our cameras and started to stroll.
We were not disappointed, but then we never are. There is something deeply satisfying to the soul to be steeped in the beauty of autumn in the presence of others who equally appreciate this gift of nature. The locals and visitors alike basked in the warm sunshine, the cloudless blue sky, the breathtaking colors. Smiles graced faces and friendly conversation flowed from the lips.
We stopped to talk to a man and throw a ball for his dog. As our conversation progressed it became almost conspiratorial as we shared "secret" spots up the mountain that revealed incredible views to those willing to hike to their locations. He pointed to the vast lawn of the small white house that he bought just so his beloved dog could run freely. It brought tears to our eyes when he shared that she had a hip disease and would soon be rendered a cripple. But she didn't know this and barked insistently for us to engage in a game of throw and chase. We happily complied.
We enjoyed a delicious lunch on the back patio at Grounds. We always do even though we say we are going to try someplace new. And there are so many new places these days, but Grounds never disappoints and it has become a part of our ritual.
While we often stroll in and out of the interesting shops, this time our pace slowed down as we focused our attention to discovering the gems that nature had placed along our path. In my next post I will share a few of them with you. I hope you enjoy the journey.
Editor's note: No trip to Murphys is complete without a stop at the old fashioned ice cream parlor for a single scoop of icecream.
1 comment:
love it!
Post a Comment