3170-3169

Back from a trip to the foothills. It was enjoyable, cold, and dark. It was good to get out and further about than normal, and to spend the night in a new/strange location. But, it was cold. Just got a confirmation that I couldn't make it in a really cold place.

Perhaps the most noticeable features were how quiet it was and how dark at night. The incidental lighting is almost non-existent--it gets really dark when that is true. Also, there was little to no traffic where we were--it was quiet, really quiet.

The grandkid had a busy couple of days. With two grandparents around for her to give directions to, she was non-stop and a ball of energy. Essentially, she wore both of us out and her grandmother called a time out for the two adults and we drove back this afternoon.

During our visit to the gold rush towns of Grass Valley, Auburn, and Nevada City we managed to spend a lot of time in toy stores, ice cream parlors, candy shoppes, cafes, coffee shops, galleries in addition to our indoor activities at the house (building forts, reading stories, taking baths, eating stuff, making a fire, and more).

Tomorrow is the grandmother's birthday, but she elected to not stay in Fair Oaks this evening to partake of a pre-birthday meal (Chinese), but to return home. The dinner was excellent--the local Chinese food place is really good.

So I'm back in Fair Oaks and getting ready to launch into the new year. 2014, here we come!