The Ghosts of Bridgeport
Sunday, October 27, 2002
by Genny Paauwe
On a bright and sunny Sunday morning, more than 20 Miatas met to take the scenic drive to South Yuba State Park at Bridgeport. Mike and Helen DeLaurentis (our President and First Lady) were in the lead, taking us from Newcastle through Auburn, past Lake of the Pines and Lake Wildwood, Grass Valley and Rough and Ready.
The park staff put on their annual "Ghosts of Bridgeport" presentation.
The one-hour tongue-in-cheek history lesson took us from one era to the
next with all of the docents outfitted in period costumes. The ensemble
took us from place to place along the old Virginia Toll Road near the
covered bridge that spans the Yuba River. We learned about the early
native inhabitants of the area, the white settlers and their families
and prospectors who worked the river and surrounding hills for gold.
The end of the show took us to the graveyard, a fitting place for
ghosts!
Following the tour, club members went off on their own. It was a
pleasant autumn day that turned off warm before the light began to fade
behind the hills and pines.
Along with several other club members who were ready for lunch, we went
to Nevada City to look in the shops and eat some ice cream before
heading home. The town has many wonderful bookstores with a wide
variety of literature on pioneer history.
The day was leisurely and pleasant and the historical presentation was humorous and lively. We had a great time!
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