DAY 1
Our 4th graders had an early start to school on Wednesday at 5:00 AM. We boarded 2 buses and head to Sacramento to our State Capitol. We were treated to tours of the Senate Gallery, the Assembly Gallery, and the Governors office. Our tour guides explained processes and procedures for all that happens in the Capitol and the steps a bill takes to become a law. From there we headed out to Fort Sutter.
At Fort Sutter we experienced life in 1847. In 1847 Sutter sent aid to the Donner Party, a group of immigrants trapped in a winter storm in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Word spread and Sutter became known for his hospitality and for providing temporary refuge to travelers. This reputation made New Helvetia the destination for early immigrants to California. Our students learned biblical principles of hospitality and how that played a part in California history. We then moved to Old Town Sacramento and explored the California State Railroad Museum, the Pony Express, the Eagle theater and much more. One question in our journals focused on how the Pony Express played huge a part in connecting California to the rest of the union ending the isolation California felt being so far from the other states. We concluded our time in Old Town at Round Table Pizza relaxing and sharing experiences of the day and friendships. Last, but not least, the students jumped into the pool back at our hotel to unwind and cool off from the 90 degree weather we had all day. For now it is time to go to sleep and revitalize for all the activities on tap for Thursday.
DAY 2
Day 2 started by heading through Calaveras County and learning about Mark Twains story "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" before ending up at Sutters Mill. We spent a couple of hours at Sutters mill learning about the mill, life during the late 1840's, the discovery of gold and the gold rush of 1849. We left Sutters Mill to travel south on Highway 49 to Columbia to Pan for gold.
The panning experience was great fun for all as well as the walk through Columbia's real life operating ghost town. After buying some treats we jumped back on the buses for the long drive down highway 49 to Oakhurst for dinner and bed. We are all looking forward to going to Yosemite National Park on Friday to enjoy God's beautiful creation before heading home late Friday. Well see you all around 8:30 PM Friday night back at Eastside.
DAY 3
Day 3 started on the short drive up into Yosemite. As Randy Schlotthauer describes the view you see in the picture as "the most beautiful place on Earth". We delighted in the glory of the Lord's creation here. Admiring God's majesty in the breath taking scenic views and taken back by His power in the force of the Waterfalls. We hiked up under the mist of the waterfall you see behind us in the picture above and got drenched by the spray that consumed us. We saw heat waves in Sacramento in the 90°'s and saw snow fall on us in Yosemite that was amazing. What a trip! Thank you to Mr. Schlottauer, Mrs. Burch and all of the parents and students who made this a truly memorable trip. - Mr. Flye