Old Sacramento

It's Memorial Day weekend so we decided to head to Old Sacramento for a taste of good ol' fashioned Americana. There were hot dogs, ice cream, salt water taffy and jazz bands that really added to the party atmosphere.

Old Sacramento sits by the American River and is a recreation of the town during the days of the Gold Rush in the 1850s. In fact, it was the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in Sacramento that led thousands along this dusty trail to seek their fortunes. This was the era of wild lawless adventurers that have long captured my imagination. Today, the old paddleboats, railroad and rustic buildings are all operational, and lend an authentic historical feel to the place, even though it's filled with tourists.

Aunty Jo Jo taking remedial classes at Old Sacramento Schoolhouse

We also enjoyed a side trip to the Schoolhouse Museum that shows a replica of a one-room schoolhouse found throughout America in the late 1800s. I got a chance to play Laura Ingalls from "Little House on the Prairie" as I squeezed into a school bench and started writing alphabets on the slate. How cool...we should have more living history museums like this. Love it!