Columbia: A Hidden Gem and Our Road Trip Kickoff

Have you ever stumbled upon a hidden treasure in your home state? Imagine a town steeped in history, cradled by the rugged beauty of the Sierra Nevada Foothills- Columbia, CA. We uncovered this hidden gem as we embarked on our Full-Time adventure. 

Once known as the “Gem of the Southern Mines,” Columbia has stood the test of time, offering today’s visitors a chance to delve into its history, enjoy shopping, dining, and a taste of its unique past. Two years back, my family had the pleasure of experiencing this special town, inspiring us to share its allure with my sister and her family as we kicked off a thrilling three- week road trip together.

Where we stayed

Our journey unfolded in two memorable stays. The first, at Ironhorse Campground at New Melones Lake. It’s a budget friendly spot in Angels Camp, about 20 minutes from Columbia. This is a beautiful spot if you are willing to dry camp and are seeking an affordable option. At the time, we paid $10 a night, but I believe the fee has since doubled.

We enjoyed stunning scenery, a fire ring, and being near the lake, making it an ideal starting point for exploring the broader area of Sonora, CA. Unfortunately, a short distance away, a couple residing in their vehicle were involved with drugs. They had an aggressive dog wander into our camp. It was a scary and uncomfortable situation, but they were gone the next day thanks to the park ranger. This incident taught us to emphasize to our children the importance of being vigilant in unfamiliar settings and to avoid approaching unfamiliar dogs. 

On our second visit with my sister and her family, we wanted to stay within walking distance of Columbia State Historic Park, so we opted for Marble Quarry RV Park.

Pros:

* Nice, short trail that led to the state park- we even spotted deer!

* Full hook-ups

* Quiet and amongst trees

* Had a pool and play area.

* We had spots right next to each other

Cons:

* The most un-level sites we have stayed in over the past two years - that tells you something!

* The pool was green the first day, but clear the next...

* There was a stray dog that kept making its way to our camp spots ( he was old, blind and sweet, but covered in a million flies and the little ones kept wanting to approach him)

*Pricy at nearly 70/night

Activities to Explore Nearby

A must when you are in the area is to visit Historic Columbia State Historic Park. Your initial destination should be the museum, brimming with the intricate tale of the Gold Rush era. It's both poignant and distressing to discover the harsh realities faced by Chinese immigrants in 'Chinatown'—subjected to a foreigners' tax and limited to mining areas already excavated by the white population.

Once you've explored the artifacts, venture to the back where a room awaits, featuring a movie and racks adorned with period clothing. I especially enjoyed watching my kids play dress up and interacting with their little cousins.

After the museum, head next door to the spot where the miners gather for bowling. The room is set up with bowling pins and balls, making it a hit for the kids.

Next, venture across the street to enjoy delightful coffee, ice cream, and tea. I adore coffee shops housed in historical buildings; their charming decor and refreshing treats were a perfect match for a warm day.

Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the streets, exploring shops, observing chickens and traditional horse-drawn carriages.Don't miss a visit to the blacksmith's shop for a live demonstration and the chance to take home a genuine memento. We had a fascinating conversation with the blacksmith, who once embraced a life of full-time RV-ing and fell in love with this charming area, ultimately deciding to settle here.

Finally, make your way down to the gold panning area, where for a small fee, you can pan for gold and gems. Last time we were here, a gentleman took time out of his day to talk to us about his love for gold mining. He even gave us a flake of gold to donate to our favorite charity.

Columbia turned out to be a delightful escape during the pandemic, where businesses were open, people were engaging, and masks were generally optional, offering a breath of fresh air- literally. What a great start to our road-schooling experience! We love hands on learning especially from individuals who are so passionate about what they are sharing. It's worth noting that my daughter would feel faint when she had to wear a mask, so she would absolutely refuse to put it on. She faced a mask-related incident at the candy store, although considering the steep prices, it wasn't a huge loss.

Another great destination to visit with children is Railtown 1897 State Historic Park located in Jamestown.

Here you can tour locomotives, they even have the one used in Back to the Future.

Make sure to experience the 45 minute train ride.

The views from the train were incredible!

Exploring the fascinating state parks steeped in history may leave you craving a dose of nature and outdoor adventure. Head over to Calaveras Big Trees State Park, where you can wander along hiking trails amidst awe-inspiring giant sequoias—among the two varieties of redwoods native to California. Enjoy a relaxing picnic or try your hand at fishing for rainbow trout in the serene waters of the Stanislaus River or Beaver Creek.

The Beginning of our Three- Week Adventure Together

Days before our road trip, we were left questioning if it would happen as Hurricane Hilary was about to hit Southern California. My sister and her family live in a remote area off a pretty intense dirt road. Despite the storm being less severe than expected, their road became impassable. My sister couldn't even drive her car out of the driveway, let alone move their motorhome.

We wanted to assist somehow, so we grabbed free sandbags from the local fire station and took turns filling them with sand. We managed to fill the ditch in front of my sister's house, allowing them to get out of the driveway, although driving the motorhome on the tough dirt roads to the main highway was still out of the question.


My brother- in- law tried reaching out to the county, city, and fire department to grade the roads, but they all claimed they couldn't do anything. Thankfully, my sister's amazing neighbors stepped in. They used their tractor to fix the ditches and even mentioned that another neighbor was fixing the road for his motorhome trip that week. God is good!


Initially, when we saw the neighbors driving by on their tractors without offering help, Scott and I skeptically commented, "If this were a different state, they would have definitely stopped." However, within 5 minutes, they circled back to lend a hand. These were their new neighbors, and their kindness taught us a valuable lesson about refraining from quick judgments based on assumptions.

We hit the road three days later. Our drive to Columbia was 360 miles, making it our longest drive. It was fun caravaning together.

Our only hiccup was that Scott noticed our tire needed to be changed due to a bent axle. Within minutes he had our spare on.

For our trip, my sister gifted us girls with bullet journals. We had a blast unleashing our creativity and recording our memorable moments. 

We cherished bonding with our nephews, especially their eldest who adored exploring our trailer. It marked the start of his enthusiastic visits, wide-eyed and curious, asking, "Aunt B, what's inside your trailer?" To which I'd reply, "You already know, want to go see?" and he'd excitedly articulate, "Yes."

Bible Verse of the Day

James 1:26-27 NLT

If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

A few things stand out to me in these verses:

• First, our words matter. It's essential to refrain from speaking negatively about others, passing judgment, or indulging in self-promotion. Recently, we discussed this with our children, emphasizing how our words can have a lasting impact on someone's life. Reflect on your own childhood experiences – those instances of appearance-based teasing, unkind remarks about intelligence from teachers, or casual comments from family members all played a significant role in shaping how you perceive yourself in the broader world.

• Second, a word that has always bothered me is "religious" because of the associations it carries. When I contemplate religion- images of pharisees, hypocrites, and those overly fixated on rules and rituals instead of faith and grace come to mind. But then, I consider verse 27. If genuine religion entails genuine care for others and an unwavering dedication to staying uncorrupted, then I wholeheartedly embrace being "religious."

Prayer

Father, 

Thank you for not only protecting me, but guarding me and guiding me. You are willing, faithful, and true. Thank you for caring about even my smallest desires and worries. Thank you for taking away my worries as I surrender what I try to control over to you. I pray that I will not judge others, but instead offer  help and grace as you did for me. Help me to first see the good in every person and situation. Thank you for revealing to me where I need to grow and for showing me who you are through your Word. 

I acknowledge the profound truth that the Bible is a collection of your inspired words, penned over a period of 2,000 years by individuals from different cultures. People who never crossed paths- and yet their historical accounts, laws, poetry, letters, and more have been seamlessly woven together into a unified, cohesive book. A book that is historically accurate, containing prophesies that have been confirmed through modern discoveries. It seems impossible, but through you all things are possible. You are Truth and you are Good. Please give me understanding as I study the Bible and put what I learn into action. 

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences, feel free to leave a comment below.

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