DeMartini, Rice Paddies, and Victorian Christmas

We arrived in Grass Valley around noon after an easy, pleasant drive from Corning.  We checked in with the service area and got situated in site #3 at DeMartini RV.

Checking into DeMartini

From I-5, we took Highways 99, 149, 70, and then Highway 20 to Grass Valley.  Just before we got to Highway 20, we saw several rice paddies.  I've seen them in the Sacramento area, but didn't notice them the last year when we we drove this same route.  This time they were filled with water.

Rice paddies

This afternoon we went searching for a car wash, and explored historic downtown Nevada City.  Then we drove to Auburn to meet our niece, Keri, for an early dinner.  She works as an uncertified vet tech/receptionist at at a veterinary hospital in Auburn, so at her suggestion we met at Mel's Diner since it's near her workplace.  We had a short, but nice meal and visit. 

Keri went back to work and we drove back to Grass Valley and then back to Nevada City to attend their Victorian Christmas Fair.  Every December, on Wednesday evenings, the downtown streets are closed off and vendors and musicians come in to sell their wares and to entertain the crowd.  Santa was there, as were pony rides and carriage rides, along with a living Nativity scene.  The stores are all open, and the streets are festive with lights.  We stopped in at the historic Methodist church and participate in a Christmas carol sing-along.

An interesting character enjoying the Victorian Fair

The Methodist Church during daylight hours 

Downtown Nevada City earlier in the day

Tomorrow we will get up early and prepare the motorhome for its short trip across the lot to one of the DeMartini service bays.  We won't be able to stay inside the motorhome while they are working on the slide, so I am putting together a survival kit containing my crossword puzzles, book, crocheting, and of course, my computer.  That ought to be more than enough to keep me occupied all day!