Touring Chico

With breakfast done, it is time for my cousin to return to his amazing journey as well.  I am so glad he took the time to spend an extra day or two with us.  Thank you.  Happy travels!
 (That's my aunt's great button collection in the front.  She even made an "I Spy" game to go with it.)

We were off in a mad dash to get the grand tour of Chico, CA.

First, we toured Bidwell Mansion.  She volunteers
there taking tours and graciously gave us one.
It is a beautiful Italianate Italian villa.
It was designed after the European ones.
It is unique as it has passive cooling through
the window design.  Built in 1865, it featured
indoor plumbing, gas lighting and water system.




Meet John Bidwell. 
In 1841, he was among the first emigrants to CA.
I can go on and on but "wikipedia" has a good article on him.
He was a self taught businessman and very influential in early
CA history.  His close friend was John Muir.    


 

Sweet antique baby rattle



Baskets made by the local indians and given to Mrs. Bidwell.
They are so detailed and perfectly woven.  The one on the right
has iridescent blue/green feathers woven into it.

This piano was a wedding present to Mrs. Bidwell.
It had to travel from New York down to So. America,
across land by mule, back on a steamer to San Fransisco,
and finally by mule again to the estate.
Amazing that it didn't even have a scratch.




As you can imagine, this exhibit got the most comments.

 

Tucked away in the back of the most AMAZING gift shop EVER, is the National YoYo Museum.
Yes, I know I didn't know there was such a thing either!

They had displays of original yoyo's from
every era, person and character.

They hold classes every Saturday morning.  The store and back
street was filled with children of all ages trying to master every level of trick imaginable.  If I would have tried any of them I am sure I would have ended up with a couple black eyes.

Yep!  That is the cost of those yoyo's!  They take this VERY, VERY seriously!

It is also home to the world's largest yoyo.  It comes out one a year during the international yoyo tournament (which we missed by a week or so in Chico).  It is hooked up to a crane and actually works!




Off to Chico Creek.  This section has a dam at one end. 
The mid-section is a GIGANTIC pool. 
This is part of a 3,500 acre park that the Bidwell's donated to the city.

 


At the end of the dam is the area made for the
returning salmon to get up river.

 




No visit is complete without "Chico mint" ice cream.  Yummy!



This is Chico creek/park where the original Robin Hood was filmed.
Errol Flynn was such a babied actor that he wanted the creek water warmed up for the creek scenes.



We then went further up Chico creek to play
in the water.





Rocks and water are always a grand combination.



About 13 years ago, my aunt moved from Costa Mesa to Chico.  I understood the reasons behind the move but couldn't imagine it being better than having the beach so close.  After my time in Chico, I could easily live there.  It is has everything.  I LOVED it. 

Back to the car!  After a tasty spagetti diner, we, too, had to go away from this wonderland. 

I was not sure if I would make it on my journey up to Chico to see my aunt's haven.  I am so pleased that we did.  She is very self-sufficient living in this beautiful country.  I figured if I was "in the neighborhood" I would pop in.  This has been one of most delightful of stops. 

Thank you, dear Aunt Gretchen for accomodating us in your special home.  We will call you earlier when we are coming and hopefully that return will be sometime soon.

The quiltmaker's gift . . .

I am posting the next pictures for many reasons of which I will relay the top ones.

First, I post it for my favorite teacher, Mrs. G., and her students that they might be see  how one book can inspire someone to use their talents in a magnificent way for the betterment and enjoyment of many others.

 Secondly, for all those who have read the book, The Quiltmaker's Gift so that they might see what one real quiltmaker has done with her magnificent gift and that we all might look to see what we can offer others with our own set of God given talents.

And third for all who know this dear and special quiltmaker and have long awaited the completion of this series of quilts based on the book. 

I count myself fortunate to be one of the first to see the complete set of quilts done as she finished up the very last one just 2 days before we arrived.  To feel them and see up close the delicate hand quilted gems she has diligently worked on between many other projects over time.   Some are made with flannel, some very old bits of fabric left over that I recognized that had been used in so many other quilts throughout the years and a few received new hand picked fabric.  She has a story of why the colors were picked for each one and her favorites, least liked, easiest and hardest for her. 

I will label each quilt (the ones I can't remember) when I get home.

Extraordinary hand quilting on each one.

King's Highway



Quilting on King's highway



Log Cabin









Snail's Trail

Bear's Paw







Flying Geese





So, what might be the point of making all of these quilts you might ask.  Well, her intent has always been from the beginning to donate them to a charitable organization to help raise money.  She has one specific one in mind.

If you do not have the book, it is a very good one (and makes great gifts, too). 

I have decided that I will go back and finish my several undone quilt projects so that they too can go to a good cause.  Don't worry Canon W (if you're out there), I know the blue cassocks come first.

Thank you, Aunt Gretchen, for sharing your very personal quilts with me.  I have always marveled at your creations and this time is no different. 

A relaxing day and yes, we all needed it.

After getting into Chico late in the evening and then staying up talking, we had restful slumber
 infront of her only heat source:  the fireplace.  Lovely.



The next day after breakfast we had a grand walk/run on a road
that is named Stage Road.  Everyone through the frisbee and footbal
and we tried to keep some small person out of the
poison oak growning along the edge.  I think we were successful.



Later in the day, John and I took another walk and found very tasty
bear food.  These blackberries were so much sweeter than my wild blackberries.
Did I mention bears?  Why yes I did.  The first night I was there my aunt said, "You don't have
any food in your car or windows cracked because a couple of people have had
their cars torn up by the bears."  Well, I must admit I didn't sleep really good imagining
the condition I was sure to find my car the next morning.  I am pleased to report no bear had targeted my car.



In the evening, we all hiked in her woods which
 are so different than ours.



Jeremy and Peter exploring and hunting for unusual pinecones.

 

We don't have trees quite like this.



Outside front of my aunt's cabin.  It is a charming and peaceful retreat.



It runs in the family . . . .

Without realizing it at all, my cousin had been right infront of me traveling on his own terrific adventure.  He had started out on his own, then picked up and traveled with my Aunt (his mother) and was again traveling alone. 

I called my Aunt Gretchen (I am sure you couldn't guess she is my Godmother) and she informed me that my cousin was there also.  I was disappointed that I thought he might be leaving and I would miss seeing him before I got to Chico.  I was sure the thought of one adult and five children coming to my aunt's small cabin in the woods would surely scare him off.  But, as I found out he is a brave soul and stood his ground and am I sure glad that he did. 

Any place I would like to go I believe he has already been there.  So I guess these traveling feet must run in the family.  As it is with most extended family, I had not seen him since he was very small and he didn't remembered meeting me (and I hope he now doesn't hope is still isn't that way).
He even took the time to stay longer and spend time with us to which I am very grateful.  It was a lot of fun.  Thank you so much!

Hiking in Aunt Gretchen's woods