This was my last day at Utica Reservoir, it was such a fantastic place to enjoy some quiet, contemplative time. I didn’t realize how noisy and busy my life had been over the last couple of months. While I really enjoyed traveling and the people I spent time with, having time to myself was so restorative. Spending time in a place where it was quiet most of the time, especially at night, was something I didn’t realize I needed. I will not miss the yellow jackets though – they definitely made their presence known whenever I had a meal.
I took my time meandering back home, following any signs or areas that were of interest, checking out some of the other nearby reservoirs for camping sites (Utica definitely seemed to be the best). I went to the Moaning Caverns of Calaveras County, not sure what I would find there and was delighted to see a parking lot full of beautifully restored Model T’s and other vintage cars. Apparently I had stumbled upon a get together of a local vintage car club!
The cavern tour was a good workout and not for anyone with a fear of heights or steep staircases-it included a trip down (and back up!) a 10-story spiral staircase that was made from metal from a WWI battleship 100 years ago (it still felt very sturdy though!) Though not as large or impressive as the Shasta Caverns that I toured on my trip to Castle Crags State Park earlier in the year, it was still a fun adventure. I couldn’t get over how absolutely dark it was when they turned all the lights off. What it must have been like for the original explorers, being down there with only a candle. Whew! We didn’t get to hear any moaning (fortunately or unfortunately depending on your perspective) as the moaning sound only happens when there has been rain, something we don’t get in this part of California for a large part of the year.
I stopped to eat my lunch in Tracy and found a very creative Free Little Library at the local art center. Finally it was back home, battling a bit of Bay Area traffic on the way, something I did not miss at all.
