Day Fifteen

Had a bit of a sleep in. There was quite a lot of noise in the hotel during the night. Went to Starbucks under the hotel for breakfast. Brought it back to the room to eat.

Eventually headed about around half past ten. Drove down towards Old Sacramento. Parked up a little bit short of it as it was free parking outside the old part of town as opposed to being charged in it. Headed to the californiarailroad.museum in the already very warm day.

Went in and learnt about Sacramento's first railroad and then how the person behind that was then involved in completing the first trans continental railroad across the USA. Also lots about his wife who supported him and was involved in documenting stuff via paintings and pressings for when they took the idea to congress for backing. There was lots of information about the difficulties building the railroad and the conditions for the workers especially the ten thousand Chinese migrants who worked for the company. 

It was quite warm in the museum and it turns out the air con had stopped overnight and now was struggling to cool the whole building down from scratch.

Took a fair few pictures of trains and stuff.

Surveyors camp

First train in Sacramento

Depiction of Chinese workers

Red diesel

Ann for scale

A few model trains

Once we had seen it all we bought a magnet and moved out into the intense heat of the day. It was now over 100F so we tried out best to stay in the shade. Wandered around the old town. Was a bit disappointed because a lot of the buildings were empty or for let. Ended up going in here to cool down and get some refreshment. Frankies Pizza Old Sac. It was ok but not the best. Main thing was we got free refills on our drinks and we were thirsty.

Went back out into the furnace. Ann said she wanted an ice cream so we went to sacsweets.com.

Cones

Stood in the shop eating it under the air conditioner for a while before going back out in the sauna. Wandered a bit more in the old town and took some photos.

Old Railroad Yard

Steamer

Sign

Old Town

Headed back to the black metal oven or car as its known. Used the feature on the keys that lets you start the engine and air con as you are walking towards it. Drove the short distance to the California Automobile Museum. It didn't look that busy and we weren't sure what it would be like as it wasn't in the nicest of areas but inside it was very good except no air con. Luckily it wasn't as warm as the railroad museum. There were lots of volunteers inside eager to talk cars with the punters. As it was quite empty and we were some of the only punters they kept wanting to talk to us. Heard the same things repeatedly. We wanted to wander fairly quickly around and take some snaps and then move on but kept getting stopped and talked at. We were typically British, very polite whilst at the same time thinking please leave us alone. Anyway here is a plethora of car action for your delight.

Big Silver Car

Big Light Blue Car

Jeep

Marilyn Monroe's Car

Pontiac Firebird

$1.5million worth of car

Linda Ronstadt's Porsche

The car John Dillinger stole when escaping from jail

Long black car

Lambo

Bought a magnet from the shop and headed out into the afternoon kiln. Started the aircon from a distance again. By now it was 4.40pm. We wanted to try and get to one other place but it was shutting at 5pm. Set the satnav for Sutter's Fort SHP and drove there. Initially we thought it was shut as the big gates were closed but we drove a circuit around the block and found a smaller entrance open. Did another circuit to get back to the best place to park. Got out and hustled in. They told us it was shutting in four minutes, we said we know, we just want a quick look. It is currently free entry as there is building work going on hence why we didn't mind only seeing it very quickly. Sutter's Fort was the first European settlement in central California. It is named after the guy who founded it, his name was John Sutter. Makes sense. Took an obligatory photo or two.

Big gate and guns

Stuff

Camp mock up

Couldn't see any magnets so headed back to the hotel. Sat in the room with the aircon on for a while just cooling down. Decided to head out for dinner at Mel's Diner as we had done the night before. This was because we couldn't be bothered to find anywhere else. Discussed, as we have on previous trips, the issue of homelessness in American cities. We have seen tent cities in Anchorage, Honolulu and Sacramento on a scale you just don't see in the UK. We are still debating whether that is because we hide it better or more is done to help people back home. 

On the way back we tried to find some of the large murals that are dotted around the city as Ann wanted to photograph them.

Johnny Cash

Got back and made sure the aircon was still on full blast. Just heard what I hope was fireworks but could also have been automatic gunfire. Just found out that Sutter's Fort has a shop but it closes at 4.30pm hence we couldn't see it. They do a nice magnet. Might have to try and get one before we leave Sac tomorrow.

Ann now asleep.

States visited - 4

Car watch - high

Train watch - high