Saturday, September 22, 2018

Sacramento #3

Sacramento, CA
In search of a plot for our next book.

We spent seven days in Sacramento to research our next book, GAME TOWN,  for 2019 release. So we thought we would give you a peek into researching a new book.
On March 22, 2018, it poured all night with heavy winds. The wind and rain died down so decided to go to the Wells Fargo Museum and walk down Old Sacramento. To our surprise, the sun came out as soon as we left the hotel!

Old Sacramento is a charming, well preserved 1800’s town about 5 square blocks on the waterfront. It was amazing the wonderful job the community did preserving the entire 5 blocks. We walked the riverfront then the town.
The Wells Fargo Bank museum was our first stop. It was free and small but chock full of interesting reads about the wild northwest, and Sacramento. Quite frankly it seemed tame for its time compared to old Los Angeles and San Diego! The bank had humble beginnings but branched out by its visionaries, i.e., Wells and Fargo as a one-stop shop for all the west’s banking needs.


 I was surprised that the Pony Express played such a large role in the history of the city. It only lasted 18 months. The route started in St. Joseph, Missouri, and ended in Sacramento. It was a hard job for anyone to ride10 hours stopping each hour to charge horses. I got a real kick out of the notice for riders.

We stopped at a place called The Chef's Olive Mix and sampled the balsamic vinegar and oils. We loved the tangerine vinegar and the regular olive oil. We strolled the wooden boardwalk, read signs, plaques, storefronts and had a wonderful, relaxing time.  The weather was cold, drizzly and calm. When we finished we were cold and damp.  


The Steamer Bakery & Cafe had a hot chocolate sign outdoors, we couldn't resist a hot cup to warm up. Sitting in the old 1800’s shop sipping our hot chocolate brought back memories of our Scandinavian trip last year, it was just as cold and wet. Then sitting in history hit us. Just think we may have been in an area, in the shop where some wild cowboy may have been.


On the way back to our hotel, we take a short drive through some streets we hadn’t driven. The homes were amazingly preserved, just lovely places.
We left for dinner at The Lucca Mediterranean Restaurant. The food, atmosphere, music was wonderful.  We, of course, had to have dessert, a chocolate mousse with blood orange slices and sauce. To die for!!

We walked home and saw a group of people moving in one direction. We thought it was odd and maybe a parade. While watching the evening news we were shocked to learn about the police shooting of Stephon Clark not far from our hotel.

For a candid look into the life of a Pony Express Rider, go to  http://www.codyenterprise.com/news/local/article_3f94419c-3f30-11e7-86db-97c024a73a3d.html

Aha moment-Found some little-known information about the Pinkerton Agency in the 1950s. They were in our third book, DESERT ICE. Maybe we should bring them back?


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