Still Standing
It's amazing that all these little towns are still standing and most are thriving.
California Gold Country
Pellerun 2026
A father-daughter journey through California's Gold Country.
The Ride
Exploring the history of the California Gold Rush Together
There is nothing quite like the open road to bring a father and daughter closer together. This journey was less about the destination and more about the shared moments of discovery, from stumbling upon hidden gems in historic mining towns to simply enjoying the quiet stretches of highway side by side.
Route
Old Route 49
Winding through the historic foothills, Highway 49 connects the vibrant ghost towns and mining camps that defined the California Gold Rush. Along the way, it passes through historic communities like Placerville, Angels Camp, and Sonora, each offering a glimpse into the region's storied past.
Photo Story
Al the Wops
Al the Wop’s was constructed in 1915 by Lee Bing who ran a Chinese restaurant in Locke, California. In 1934 Al Adami came up the river from Ryde to become the first non-Chinese business in town.
Jagmeet's Farm
We stopped at my friend Jagmeet's farm in Galt and ate fresh organic produce, straight from the field.
Road Notes
June 19, 2026
Had a great ride up Highway 49 today through some absolutely beautiful country. I made it to Nevada City just in time for dinner, followed by drinks at The Mine Shaft. It was really nice getting to chat with Jeff for a bit.
The ride back to my Airbnb was an adventure. My GPS was acting up, and the forest looks completely different at night! I ended up getting lost, but thankfully some guys hanging out nearby gave me directions. The room itself is nice—I think an old hippie lives here, given all the new age stuff around.
June 20, 2026
I grabbed breakfast downtown—chicken fried steak—and walked around for a bit before heading to Auburn. They had a really cool downhill skateboard race going on, which was super fun to watch. Deanna met up with a bunch of her friends there, too.
Afterward, we rode back to Jeff's, made burgers, and hung out. I eventually headed back to my Airbnb, and I'm happy to report I didn't get lost this time! It was a great day.
June 21, 2026
It’s a cool Sunday morning, and it's Father's Day. Today we are heading down the freeway to eat in Sacramento, then visiting Jagmeet's farm in Galt before finally heading home.
Jag’s farm was rad! He showed us around and even gave us a bunch of fresh fruit. We decided to take the longer way home just to avoid the freeway. We were absolutely beat by the time we finally walked through the door, but it was a fantastic Father's Day weekend.
