April 23, 2021 - Trip to Silverthorn

 

Title: April 23, 2021 - Trip to Silverthorn
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Hike Info:

Type:Car

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I got the car all packed up and ready to go. Feeling a bit proud of myself for getting everything in so efficiently. Also that both Sherri and Steven had gotten their stuff together the day before so I could pack the car. Of course, there will be little odds and ends which we forgot which will need to be stuffed in. Then as I was going to sleep, I realized there were two things not packed, to major bulky things: our mattresses. So Friday morning, I unpack, decide what I do not need, what can be packed more efficiently and then repack the car. Now we are ready to go.

By the time we all get into the car, it is 11am. I will drive today to our campspot with Andrea and Lawrence. Steven and Korra come with Sherri and I. There is a bit of traffic along the way, particularly in Stockton and as we near Sacramento. But first we stop in a rest area near Turlock o let Korra run around a bit. Then see Sherri’s brother Jerry in Turlock. Tomorrow is his birthday.

By the time we leave Jerry’s place, it is after 1pm. Time for lunch. In-N-Out sounds good. Even in the drive through, there is a long line of cars waiting. So we wait about 20 minutes to grab some burgers and fries. We eat in the car before moving on.

Our next stop is the regional park in Elk Grove. Pretty nice place. We will have to make a note of this for future travels. After Korra got out and ran around a bit, we traveled our final leg of our trip up to Placerville. Traffic got heavy going into and through Sacramento, but then lightened up as we left it. A mile or so after Placerville, we turn off of 50 and go about five miles on some back roads until we get to our camping place.

“Camping place” is a bit of an understatement. Silverthorn Meadows is principally a wedding venue. But when not in use for weddings, it is on HipCamp for camping. There are two spots. We get the one right off of the grassy area. The one faux pax is there is a gate code to get into the area. We were given an old one. But Denny, one half of the couple who run Silverhtorn, is there a few minutes after we arrive and lets us in-and gives us the correct gate code. He shows us around the area and tells us to enjoy. Considering how well kept the palace is, there is very few restrictions: only do not go out in the boat; don’t let Korra play inthe flower beds, and do not bring the dog into the building where the restrooms are.

What to do about eats? We decide to go back to Highway 50 and head towards Placerville. Nothing struck out fancy until we got into the city when we saw a Mexican restaurant called Hangtown Cantina. It struck our taste buds and so we stopped there. They had outdoor seating and it looked dog friendly. SO we ordered and I walked the Korra. By the time I returned, our meal was served. Good eats. And then it is back to Silverthorn.

And now to wait for Andrea and Lawrence. Korra is having the time of her life, enjoying wandering and running around. About 9:20pm, the two of them come in with the teardrop trailer, looking like it traveled well. After they get set up-Korra needs to try out the bedding situation-we go down and enjoy a propane fed heater. A nice time chatting. Before we know it, it is after 11:00pm. All of us are tired and go to bed.

Background  Hangtown Cantina. We were visiting Placerville and wanted something to satisfy us. Because of COVID, seating was outdoors, which is good with us. An added bonus is we could bring our dog to their “cantina alley” seating. My wife and I shared a red chile chicken enchilada dish with beans and rice. Pretty good tasting. The only complaint is that the cost seemed a little bit high. This writeup was also posted to Trip Advisor