Taking it all in

Three months is a fair chunk of time, but it will be gone soon enough and we need to make the most of it. We took a Sunday trip to Sacramento, which was a good idea. Traffic was light on the highway and the sights we wanted to see were not crowded. We stopped by the state capitol, which has the striking white dome common to many such structures. We hadn't expected to be able to go inside, but followed others in through a security check and then we had the freedom of the building.

The high ceilings and marble floors reminded me a little of the parliament buildings in Ottawa. The capitol was constructed in the late 1860s. It looks as if there must have been gold rush money to spend. The assembly chamber is spacious and grand, marred only by a hideous green carpet in the gallery. Each member's desk was equipped with a laptop -- I wonder if our provincial or federal members have that? The senate chamber was closed that day so we couldn't look. Original offices for the governor, state treasurer and others were open for viewing as museum pieces. We cringed at the portrait of former governor Ronald Reagan. Got as far as the door of Arnold Schwarzenegger's office. Several displays referred to initiatives of First Lady Maria Shriver, who was credited with starting two museums, the California Hall of Fame and the museum for History, Women and the Arts. We had lunch in the historic downtown amid goldrush-era buildings and tourist-trap shops. At least the city has a riverfront, so that makes it alright in our book. No water, no heart.

[Aside: Just read a rant in a freebie newspaper that referred to Governor 'Arnold Kennedy' and the RINO contingent, i.e. Republicans in Name Only. Gotta love the politics.]

Also this week we drove up the mountains to Lake Tahoe. The highest elevation is about 7500 feet, a height which guarantees some extraordinary views. In an hour's drive we went from 60F/15C weather to freezing temps and mounds of snow remaining from the storm of two weeks previous. The lake must offer great recreational opportunties in summer, but during our visit a frigid wind blew on shore. We tried to appreciate the attractive blue-green shades of the waters. There was some large-vessel traffic at a distance. A few sailboats were moored close to shore and a couple of paddle-wheelers appeared to be in service as floating restaurants or tour boats. The California side of the town of South Lake Tahoe caters to those coming for the snow sports, while the second you cross into Nevada you are confronted by gigantic hotel/casino complexes.