Day 31 July 24

Ahhhh! California nights! As we slept, the temperature dropped into the low seventies and we woke to perfect weather. Foothills heat was forgotten as we started a most memorable day.

A short ride took us from Grass Valley to Nevada City where my nephew, Freedom lives with his beautiful daughter, Antara. Nestled in the mountains close to the state of Nevada, this small city immediately entranced.

The most important town in California during the Gold Rush, many of the original houses, including Freedom's, cling to the edges of narrow hilly streets. Trees of all types sweep over the sidewalks in a random display. The sense of community is strong here - where we walked, everyone was friends. Little traffic and a distinct aura of safeness makes it a perfect place for children, as proved by the number that we saw walking with their parents and friends in town.

Feedom, the most gracious and thoughtful of hosts, acted as our guide. We quenched our thirst with spring water flowing from a tapped rock at our first stop. Then to a pool on the southern branch of the Yuba River, below Lake Bowman. Another world bloomed before us as we climbed smooth rocks down to a crystal bowl of water fed by two small waterfalls. After the heat of the day before, we were ready for the plunge - until we put our feet into the iciness. We cowered on the rocks, indecisive. Not so my nephew, his daughter Antara and her friends, who were great company for us, too.They waded right in and as the little ones sat on sunny rocks, Freedom did flips from heights of 20 feet or more. Finally, Jules and I butched up and dove in ..... And then ... we quickly swam out. So cold, so pure, so invigorating. As I stretched out onto the hot rocks, my heart raced with the exhilaration and beauty of the moment.

We returned to Nevada City and had dinner with Freedom, Antara and friends. Raw/Vegetarian was the delicious cuisine in an immensely relaxing space. Jules ate food he would never have chosen on his own and actually liked it.

Goodnights and goodbyes said, we left on the bike. Nevada City and Grass Valley are gold, as earlier prospectors discovered. Family is also golden, and we were made rich by our time with Freedom and Antara.