Discovering California Gold - The Spa
Dateline: 09/08/98
Sierra Spa
Photos by Julie Register
Last week, my husband and I were guests of Nissan's "Pathfinder Gold Rush Discovery" - a special tribute to California's sesquicentennial. The California Gold Discovery to Statehood Sesquicentennial is a four year commemoration (1997 through 2000) of the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in 1848 (1998), the Gold Rush by the 49ers (1999) and California Statehood (2000).*** Specifically, we went to Gold Rush Country in the northern part of the state. We were given a rugged 1999 Pathfinder to tour the heart of Gold Rush Country in Northern California. We stayed at the Sutter Creek Inn, an authentic mid-19th century bed and breakfast, went to Yosemite National Park visited the original Marshall Gold Discovery Site in Coloma, went white water rafting, and spoke with and listened to noted Gold Rush experts and authors, JoAnn Levy* and Les Kelly**, who shared their wealth of information about the spirit and history of the region.
On our way drive back from Yosemite to Sutter Creek where we were to meet for the start of Nissan's "Pathfinder Gold Rush Discovery" at the Sutter Creek Inn, my husband and I stopped in Jackson for a tandem massage at Sierra Spa. Cheryl Way, innkeeper of Sutter Creek Inn, had made the arrangements for us before we left Delaware.
The Waiting Room
The Sierra Spa and Stress Relief Center is a day spa located in the charming Victorian Tam House on Court Street, up a steep hill from historic Main Street. My husband and I had the Escape for Two, a tandem aromatherapy massage for two.
The Treatment Room
Patty Littlechild, C.M.T. was my husband's massage therapist. My husband enjoyed his massage and must have been very relaxed - so relaxed that he was snoring (he denies this, but there were 3 witnesses). Owner, Barbara Ahern, C.M.T. was my therapist. Barbara is one of the few practitioners I've had that could successfully communicate her healing intentions and love that only the best therapists know how to extend. I was also delighted by a few techniques I hadn't experienced before on my hips and face. All in all, it was a terrific massage, and I highly recommend a visit to Sierra Spa next time you are in California Gold Rush Country.
Patty Littlechild and Barbara Ahern
Patty Demonstrates a Seated Massage
Sierra Spa
Barbara Ahern, C.M.T. Owner/Practitioner
35 Court Street
Jackson, CA 95642
209-223-2682
While in Jackson, don't miss Cafe Max - A Swiss Bakery on Main Street near Court Street. They are still using a brick oven from the Gold Rush days. Lots of goodies, espresso, etc. We tried a Peach Power Smoothie with ginseng and power powder and a couple of fat free chocolate chewy cookies. Delicious!
* JoAnn Levy is a frequent public speaker on behalf of the women of the gold-rush and the author of Daughter of Joy, an historical fiction based on women of the Gold Rush that tells about Ah Toy, a Chinese slave who became wealthy and powerful and was the first Asian woman to stand up for her rights in a U.S. court and They Saw the Elephant, well-researched stories about the many women of the Gold Rush.
** Les Kelly is a
photographer and author of travel stories about the Amish, covered bridges, rural
courthouses, and the Gold Rush among others. He is the author of: Traveling
California's Gold Rush Country which is based on four years of research and travel and
filled with pictures, maps, and suggested itineraries for trips to discover the highlights
of Gold Rush Country and California's
Gold Rush Country, a lovely and informative coffee-table book filled with color photos
and travel stories of California's Gold Rush region. Les also maintains two web sites:
California's Gold Rush Country http://www.goldrush1849.com/
*** which compliments his books and provides a Virtual Tour, the story of the
"great migration" - The
Way West, and much more and Show Me The Gold™ at http://www.showmethegold.com/
As a result of a commercial relationship between The Mining Co., its Guides and Amazon.com online booksellers, these titles can be purchased directly from Amazon.com by following the links above. (Note: Amazon.com is solely responsible for fulfillment of book orders placed through these links.)
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