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April News
As the poet Chaucer said, in April people "long to go on pilgrimage".
Everything is fresh and green, the birds are singing (tra la la) and Spring
is truly here. In the foothills of El Dorado County, the first wild flowers
are in bloom. Keep a watch for the bright orange of California poppies.
The buckeye trees have already leafed out and will soon show their characteristic
spiky blossoms, attractive to bees and hummingbirds. Deciduous oak trees
such as the Valley Oaks are bursting into leaf. The Sierra snows are still
here and it's a tossup whether the month will bring a snow melt, which
makes the rivers run, or fresh snow, which can tie up traffic on mountain
roads.
April
is about your last chance for snow sports, so get out there while you
can. Visit the Sierra at Tahoe website, www.sierratahoe.com,
Kirkwood, www.skikirkwood.com,
or call the South Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce, (530) 541-5355, www.tahoeinfo.com.
This is a great month for exploring. Try some of the backcountry roads. They will take you to interesting places like Georgetown, Rescue, Grizzly Flat, Fairplay and Mt Aukum. Look for roads with names that remind you of mining days, such as Paydirt Drive, Buzzard Gulch, Slug Gulch and Drop Dead Lane.
April
Events
Below are details on four of the many events in El Dorado County's April
calendar:
Art
Lovers' Stroll
Placerville's Third Saturday Nightlife Art Walk, sponsored by local galleries
and merchants, is on April 20 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Drop in at the galleries
to sample wine and hors d'oeuvres, demonstrations and entertainment along
with the art. Then try a meal at a Main Street restaurant, such as Café
Luna or Gelato de Oro. Or check out the new Round Tent Supper Club at
384 Main. Call (530) 344-1352 for reservations.
Home
and Garden Show
If you're ready for some home or garden improvement or just thinking about
it, the Home and Garden Show at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds is the
place to be this spring. Some 10-15,000 people attend this annual event.
This year, the show will run for three days, April 26, 27 and 28 at the
El Dorado County Fairgrounds, 100, Placerville Drive. On the opening day
(Friday), hours are from noon to 8 p.m. The Saturday and Sunday hours
are 10-5 p.m. The event is FREE and open to the public, with only a $2
charge for parking. Vehicles are directed to the parking areas from the
main gate. Call (530) 622-7166 for information.
Kids'
Expo
The El Dorado County Fairgrounds will be alive with squeals of laughter
and busy hands during the 2002 Kids' Expo, on Saturday, April 13 from
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This FREE event, geared towards kids ages 1 to 12, is
now in its 17th year. It provides all-day entertainment, education, demonstrations
and performances and favorite kids' fare such as burgers, hot dogs, ice
cream and the legendary 20-30 tacos. Over 100 exhibitors are on hand,
keeping kids busy with hands-on activities, including candle making, seed
planting, stringing necklaces, and spin art, while parents learn about
local businesses, agencies, schools and organizations that serve families.
This year's theme‹Building Resources for your Family‹emphasizes
safety. Free fingerprinting of children is provided by the Sheriff's Department.
Some Kids' Expo highlights are the bike rodeo, with an obstacle course
and a free safety checkup; the Circus of the Imagination, where kids become
part of the art; a petting farm with cuddly animals, including the famous
Kune pig; and rides on the Shriners' Widdle Weels. Kids' Expo was founded
by Choices for Children. Major sponsors this year include the El Dorado
County Office of Education and Thompsons Auto and Truck Centers. For information,
call Marianne Kalem, (530) 676-0707, ext. 237.
Tea
Time in the Country
Enjoy sumptuous goodies, beautiful gardens filled with fragrant flowers,
charming conversation with ladies in fine attire and carriage rides all
set amidst the genteel backdrop of a country estate. Please join the Junior
Ambassadors of the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce as they present
the fourth annual Junior Ambassador's Scholarship Tea to be held Sunday,
April 21, 2002, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Coloma Country Inn,
345 High Street in Coloma. There will be a silent auction, door prizes
and the grand raffle prize of a Victorian Doll House. The Junior Ambassadors
is a community service group of the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce.
The member volunteers support and participate in Chamber activities and
volunteer in the Chamber office in order to gain experience in the business
world, tourism and film industries. Call the EDC Chamber of Commerce at
621-5885 for more information or to purchase tickets. Tickets are available
with a $5 donation. Proceeds go to the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce
Junior Ambassador¹s Scholarship Fund.
Fresh
Fruit, Flowers etc.
While planning your Spring and summer activities, you will not want to
miss out on all the wonderful agricultural products of the county's farms,
orchards and ranches. Watch for iris and cherries in May. Look for fresh
eggs, honey and baked goods. For information on the farm seasons, and
on upcoming farmers' markets in Placerville and Cameron Park, call the
El Dorado Farm Trails, (530) 676-3569. Or contact the Apple Hill Growers
at (530) 644-7692, www.applehill.com.
Farm Trails sites are scattered about the county. The Apple Hill sites
are clustered around Camino, off of Route 50. Some sites are open year-round,
while others are more seasonal. Both organizations publish helpful guides,
including site maps.
Lodging
For places to stay, try one of El Dorado County's Historic Country Inns.
Their toll-free number is: 1-877-262-4667, www.goldcountrylodging.com.
Or print out a complete lodging list from the Visitor's Authority website.
The county has numerous camping sites, mountain lodges and other places
with access to hiking, fishing etc. It's time to enjoy the great outdoors.
Shopping
on Placerville's Main Street
Placerville's historic Main Street has many interesting shops, including
some that date from gold mining days. We will highlight four of them here:
- The Bookery, 326 Main, (530) 626-6454. This used book store has been in the same location for 20 years. It stocks around 130,000 used books covering just about every category from Harlequin Romances to expensive coffee table books. Old and rare books are NOT their specialty. Call or visit as The Bookery is not on the Internet. Owners Celia and Nancy reserve a warm welcome for their customers and a couple of cats and dogs add to the general warmth.
- Placerville Clothing Company, 327 Main, (530) 626-3554. For adventure and urban travelers, Placerville Clothing Company stocks the Eagle Creek line of travel gear. Visit the store to try and buy, or go to www.eaglecreek.com to see the complete line. The store is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sundays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ask Bob or Carol about local day hikes. NEW ARRIVAL: Chaco sandals have arrived. This stylish, rugged sandal is great for walking, water wear, bouldering and hiking. It cradles the foot and has a special arch support for extra comfort.
- Children's Garden, 360 Main, (530) 626-6525. The Children's Garden has clothing for newborns to size 16 girls and 7 boys. Co-owners Nancy and Nicole also sell educational toys and gift items for baby showers. The store has been in existence since 1989, and on May 1, will have been two years in its present location. Children's Garden is open 7 days a week, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays to Saturdays and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Summer clothing is coming in regularly now look for their adorable frog and alligator outfits for babies. Ask about the upcoming pre-summer sale.
- Placerville News Co, 409 Main, (530) 622-4510. In this original building that dates from 1856, the curious customer can find just about anything, from postcards, newspapers and magazines, candies and tobacco products to guide books and maps, office supplies, camera film and a variety of art supplies. The store specializes in books on the Gold Rush and the West as well as natural history and is a Fenton showcase art glass dealer. Placerville News CO has been in the same family since 1912. Owner Mary Meader is third-generation, while son Jeff is fourth-generation. The store is open 7 days a week, starting at 8 a.m. and closing at 7:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Sunday closing time is 5:30 p.m. Be sure to check out the original wood floors with square nails.
Weddings
Its gorgeous foothills scenery, sometimes with the Sierras for backdrop,
and summer months without rain, make El Dorado County a perfect wedding
location. If you're thinking about tying the knot, don't delay. Some wedding
dates are already booked!!
Two attractive wedding sites are: the High Sierra Iris and Wedding Garden in Camino (irises, day lilies, oak trees and a lake), (530) 642-1222; and Sogno Winery in Shingle Springs, (530) 672-6968, www.sognowinery.com (gazebo that looks out onto the vineyards, old farmhouse, banquet hall with deck).
For questions about weddings and other events, try www.itsonefineday.com or call Janine, Cindy or Karen at (530) 620-2786. The Visitors Authority website, www.visit-eldorado.com, has a full list of events and wedding specialists, as well as information on just about every aspect of tourism in El Dorado County.
Wineries
Passports for the El Dorado County Wineries Association's April 6-7 and
13-14 "Passport Weekends" are sold out, but plenty of wineries
have other activities, such as art shows. For further details, go to www.eldoradowines.org.
An upcoming event in early June is the Fair Play Wine Festival. The festival
is open to everyone so no need for advance ticket reservations. For information,
see www.fairplaywine.com.
Maps of the wine areas, and other tourist information, can be picked up at the wineries themselves or at the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce at 542, Main Street in Placerville.
