Dixie Fix

When Was the Last Time You Did Something for the First Time?

I love that question...and I can answer "yesterday" because I went snow shoeing! My friend Monica and I drove til the snow was deep (around Castle Peak) and put on show shoes and started walking! Once you get used to the big, awkward shoes, it was a blast! Of course the sun was out and it was so warm we were in jeans and shirtsleeves -- ideal weather for the mountains, and amazing for February!

It was a great workout, and we got to chat and catch up on stuff. When I got up this morning I had some aches and soreness in new places, so I know I used some muscles that haven't had much of a workout. Although there were a lot of people out in the snow, it was a weekday, so the crowds were minimal and parking was a cinch.

And guess who we ran into? Cathy Anderson Myers of Grass Valley. She is MS. SNOWSHOE, giving lessons and tours all winter long! She told us about a good trail for our next adventure. Cathy had a group on an REI tour (she no longer does "private tours," she said) and they all looked happy and tired. If Cathy's name sounds familiar, she is the founder of the Barbara Schmidt Millar Women's Triathlon that is held in Cascade Shores every September. Amazing woman!

You know how easy it is to tell a friend, "Oh let's get together" and it never happens? Well, Monica and I have threatened to go snow shoeing the past two winters and haven't gotten around to it, so this winter we made a vow to follow through and go! And I'm so glad we did!

We all think we have a lot of time in this life, but really, who knows? You see something like Jim Rodgers, dead at 53, and it makes you realize that TODAY is really all we're sure of. Did you make the most of it?

Traveling the Length of California

When my youngest daughter called to tell me she fractured her elbow, I knew that she would need help. Three kids, no washer and dryer, can't drive -- disaster! So, I set out from Nevada City to Huntington Beach...about 530 miles, one way. Here are some observations from the trip.

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Best bumper sticker: "God Bless the Whole World. No Exceptions."

Weirdest bumper sticker: "Someone I Love Was Murdered." (Seen on an LA freeway)

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State of our state's highways: Freeway maintenance has fallen by the wayside in these tough economic times. There is virtually no maintenance; trash is visible and ugly; the shoulders are full of shredded tires and bits and pieces of tires. California is such a beautiful state and I felt bad for how it looks to someone traveling up and down its length. Too sad.

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Bakersfield has embraced its country western roots. There is a street named after Merle Haggard and another after Chet Baker.

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If you think the economy's bad here, stop along some towns that dot the 99 Freeway. Earlimart would be one example. It looked like time stood still in 1950, and not in a good way. Judging from my cursory glance, unemployment is about 50%.

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If a freeway sign says "downtown" or "business district" you can guarantee that you will drive for miles without seeing signs of life. The downtown has moved, in most cases, and freeway signage hasn't kept up.

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Those little stands at gas stations that hold water and squeegee's to wash your windows are still there, minus the squeegees. Are they valuable? I stopped at 2 different gas stations to wash my windows and there were no squeegees to be found. The third gas station had one, only. And they were big, brand name gas stations, too. No corporate oversight?

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There is an actual kid's toy named "Fart in a Jar." It is full of green gooey stuff. If you put a finger in

the jar and pull it out, the jar makes farting noises. If the 4 year old you're babysitting dumps the jar on your teenage grandson's head, it is a sticky, gooey mess that is almost impossible to get out. Trust me on this one.

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If you are out of Nevada County for a week and ask what news occurred while you were gone, everyone will say "Nothing really happened." Even if it did.

Reno's Recession...

Just back from Reno, and there is clear evidence of the economy there, especially downtown in what was once a vibrant strip of casinos.

Fitzgeralds is gone, the Virginian also. Lots of empty storefronts, places boarded up. etc. Many restaurants are closed. The whole downtown has a "Yuba City" look and feel.

It seems all the action was at The Atlantis and The Peppermill, both remodeled to be a lot more fancy.

We stayed at The Peppermill (free!) and they gave us a suite that was almost the square footage of our house! It had a jacuzzi, sauna, wet bar, separate living room...it was terrific!

The Atlantis has a seafood bar that is all glass above Virginia Street (and smoke free) with delicious fish, including sushi. We had a colossal Mazatlan cocktail, which was a gazillion shrimp and about 7 scallops, with avocado, tomato, cilantro, onion. A total meal in a huge margarita glass.

Also saw "Menopause the Musical," which was a riot!! The singing, acting and song selection was awesome and you will laugh your head off. (It wasn't so funny when I was going through it, however.)

Made a side trip for shopping (hubby wanted to go to Scheels -- huge, but no bargain.) We also went to Virginia City. Who can resist a bar called Bucket of Blood?

I'm not much of a gambler...$20 was my limit for 3 days, but I played some video poker and won...nothing! Oh well.

Reno is about as different as can be from Nevada City, which is why it was a fun getaway. Nice to visit, wouldn't wanna live there!

Going Down the Hill...

My friend and neighbor Denise needed towels, so a trip down the hill was in order. She was trying to match a particular color of teal, and Kmart didn't have it. I bought towels at Penneys that fell apart, so off we went to Target. Not crowded at all. Of course they had the perfect ones, so she was a happy camper. I always feel a bit guilty doing that, and I really do try to support the local merchants, but I guarantee she couldn't have found what she did in town, so what can you do? I really want our stores to make it and get through this economic crisis.

It's interesting to me that Kane's is almost always crowded. He always seems to have some gimmick or sale. This week it was pastrami flown in New York. He sold sandwiches with extras for under $7 and he told me Tuesday night that he would probably sell out by Thursday, although he hoped he had enough for the whole week. So, people are eating out and scooping up bargains, despite the economy.

People have been complaining about the "Smoke Shop" that went in across from Grass Valley City Hall. But that's free enterprise, right? How do you stop something like that? But the huge Marlboro sign in the window is definitely not attractive. Should it have gone in downtown? What do you think?

Quarks, Strangeness & Charm in Orange County

It really is like another country there!!

There are signs of the recession, but it's much more anonymous than in our cute little town. Lots of new Internet businesses, with Web sites on car windows. ("I pamper moms" www.pamperedmoms.com)

Downtown Huntington Beach has a store called Punk Baby.

Every restaurant downtown was packed (it was Easter Week, after all)

Saw Monsters vs. Aliens in IMAX 3-D; went to an 8 year olds birthday party; pool/beach time; shopping but not much buying; got 9 year old granddaughter an outfit at the newly-trendy among tween set girl's store, Justice. Everyone who works in there looks like Hillary Duff. Watched way too much Hannah Montana. Looked in amazement at daughter's new iPhone -- it's an iPod, alarm clock, message center, Internet, e-mail everything.

Nine year old loves Hannah Montana and dying Easter eggs; 13 year old gransdon is either surfing or skateboarding 24/7; 17 year old granddaughter spends about 12 hours a day on hair, nails, makeup and generally looking beautiful.

Daughter and significant other are in touch 24/7 on iPhone. (It dings at 7 a.m. He text messages :"hey."

Grandson's cell phone rings early -- surfing plans have to be made. Where are the best waves, etc. No sleeping in!

Other set of kids/grandkids were at the Colorado River. Husband going down to see all next week. (We hate to leave the dog alone) That's our "Fur Baby."

Glad to be back to what I call Civilization!!

Happy Easter -- after helping to dye at least 4,000 eggs I hope I don't see another one until next Easter!

The kids and i hid an Easter Basket for daughter Amber! We filled it with practical things like postage stamps, pistacios, and of course, the ubiquitious Starbucks gift card!

Hope your basket was filled with love and joy!

Grandmapalloza...

Is taking place in The OC this week...Easter Week with the grandkids!

Maybe I'll go to Balboa Island for old time's sake...

Don't know if daughter has a working computer, if not, check back on Easter.

May the bunny leave you just what you wanted in your basket!

Back from the Beach...

Spent a few days in the Santa Cruz/Capitola/Aptos area....free use of a beach house with friends. We had an unconventional Thanksgiving with lobster, crab and ribeye. Three dogs for plenty of long walks and exploring everything! My Little Pony has a t-shirt that says Keep Santa Cruz Weird (his daughter is in school there, a banana slug graduating in June). No chance of Santa Cruz NOT being weird. Lots of street musicians, costumed performers, and tragically hip people populating the sidewalk cafes and coffee shops. There is a large Mexican population just outside of downtown, and that meant some fabulous hole in the wall restaurants with terrific food! Mole, anyone? Homemade tamales and salmon (!) tacos.

Capitola is charming with a capital C. Just a cute little village with lots of interesting shops, galleries, and ice cream joints. The place must be fueled on ice cream. But we noticed that almost every shop offered 25% off everything, and the retailers had a bit of desperation about them. Bet the place will look very different in a year.

Aptos is an undiscovered beach town that's still funky, although housing prices are even higher than Nevada City. Nice neighborhoods, crowded with dog walkers. I expect it will become gentrified in the next few years, when the economy rebounds. That said, it's GREAT to be home. There's no place like Nevada County!

Check Out Ice Lakes Lodge

It's located between The Rainbow and Donner Summit (9 miles from The Rainbow.) It's a beautiful ski-type style lodge in Soda Springs, right on Serene Lake. The rooms are right on the sand, you can kayak, canoe, peddle boat, swim..there's also a grassy area if you don't like sand. Big rooms with 2 queen beds...lots of hiking because it's right where people cross country ski. And lots of level streets, perfect for biking. The restaurant looks good..we didn't eat there but friends said the food was excellent. It's at about 6,700 feet elevation, so it's not as blistering hot as it has been here. But a really nice spot off the beaten path.