I have spent my day visiting my son Matt, and downloading video music to my blackberry. We cleaned our pool and right now he and my wife are swiming. It is 7pm and about 98 degrees. To hot for this ole boy. I have put a new design into my profile on the hill, and am still working it. Well, I Hope your evening is pleasant. I bid you very pleasant evening, my dear friend. James

It is 4am, Sleepless in Sacramento for me. I awoke to hear the welcome sound of the winds blowing. I went out in the early morning night and looking up at the starry sky, I watched as clouds raced across the night sky, in little patches. Catching light from the city lights, they seemed to almost glow. It was comfortably cool and I loved it. Being an outdoors type of person, I enjoy such things.

I hope your Thursday is a great one James

GOLD! That was the cry that launched the largest invasion of people for years. I am planning a trip to the high desert of Califorina, where the gold rush was very active in the mines that dot the mountains in the area near Bridgeport, CA.

I hope your day is going as lovely as mine. The tempture today is about 84 and a light breeze. I am very excited about my plans to visit the remains of another old gold mine. I research and then locate on different maps which include Topo. I then plug in the GPS routing to get me up the myrid of dirt roads and canyons and hills to the site. It is often difficlult due to the condition of the trails. Most are suitable only for four-wheel drive.

My target this trip is the old Paramount Mine. It was not as large as the Chemung Mine, which Linda and I photographed last Novemebr, but it still has a few remains. I love the peace and solitude of the mountains. Being on the very ground the was once bustling with the activity of mining for gold makes it more enjoyable. Often the story or history is very interesting. There are not anything like tour guides, facilities and gift shops. Just the real thing as it was a hundred years ago. I do enjoy the small risk in getting there to. I am keeping my eye on the thunderstorms predected in the areas that I plan to travel.

your wandering friend, James Jacobs

The trip had its problems as my gps failed on me and my backup did not function enough to pinpoint our whereabouts in the desolate hills of the high desert. To make matters worse, I ran low on gas and when I stopped to use my spart gas can, a five gallon plastic can, it malfunction and the spout would not allow the fuel to pour. I had used this safety spout before and knew how to use it. I finally dissasembled the spout and got the fuel into our tank and we had lunch in a quiet grove o trees.

We continued on searching into the late afternoon when a thunderstorm became a threat to us, so Linda and I had to abandon our search. The mine was not going anywhere and we will try again to locate it later. We out ran the thunderstorm that was blowing in with lighting strikes and wind. By sundown I had made my way back out of the wilds and onto the main highway (395).

We did see and photograph and antelope and a gorgeous sunset. I was starved because our luch had been light so we stopped at the Topaz Lodge and I had a big steak and all was better. Our trip home was a pleasant summer drive int the Sierra Nevadas from Nevada to Sacramento, Ca. I have to add that we crossed the state line between Ca and Nevada on the journey.

Hope your weekend has been pleasant.

Hi just getting my mail out and wanted to say hello to my friend. James

Hi it is Friday morning and I am just getting started with my day. I had the pleasure of contacting my mother in Lincoln Arkansas. She was delighted to hear from me. She is having surgery today. Theree lumps in breasts. She is eighty but still sounds younger. I havent been in touch because she had re-married, moved and I had moved once when I bought this house. My son located her for me after several years. It was very emotional for me to talk with her after nearly giving up trying to locate her. We had a great visit. I plan to get her a les Paul music cd. She said she would love it. I remember her singing many of the songs to me as a young child.

My feelings of joy for finally finding her and shame for not keeping in better touch are keeping me in a sort of limbo now. Maybe I can ground my self out. Take to the man above. Hugs and love my friend. James

It is another beautiful Sunday morning. I am rested up and already looking for a new adventure. This time it will be to travel to Viringa City, Nevada and ride the steam train there. It has just extended it's run to Carson City. It will be a old west fun trip. Your wondurlust friend, James Jacobs

Hello, thank you for the nice note. I think that your very special,and hope that you have a very peaceful evening. I am going through a bit of worry at this time over my mother. I will get back to my wilderness later, after I find out how bad her cancer is. James

Hi My mom's doing ok. She is not going to do the operation yet due to the stroke her husband had last week. I am doing ok. Working on the family room, train layout. Trying to decide how to proceed with the reconstruction of the layout. Hope your have a great weekend, James.