The Gold Country hangings that created numerous deceased have since ceased, and the stump of the old hanging tree is all that remains. It's been stored in the basement of a local saloon and eatery for safe keeping until the next round of rowdy vigilante justice rears it's vengeful head.
Located in El Dorado County, half way between Sacramento and Tahoe on Highway 50 (America's Loneliest Highway that stretches from Sacramento to the Atlantic Ocean in Ocean City, Maryland!) Placerville, or modern day Hangtown has a tongue in cheek sense of humor about it's past, and is one of the few towns I've run across where ou can not only hang 'em high, but also hang out and get high in a local saloon. Ok, now that raise the dead thing I mentioned in the beginning. There is a local psychic at a place called Bizarre n' Stuff where they specialize in spirit raising seances where you can communicate with the grateful and perhaps not so grateful dead. Why, hell, you can even enjoy a roller coaster ride enjoying your own trip to a past life. How cool is that? Actually, how bizarre is that? There are other more worldly in the here and now places too, such as a bead store where you can where hardcore beadery is practiced to fashion your own earthy creations. Stressed out? Try a therapeutic massage to relax that tired psyche of yours. Light one up at a cigar store for the afficiando's of the favorite smoke of people from Groucho Marx to Castro to Churchill to Ellen Degeneres!
Skateboad and bicycle shops for the trendy outdoors person; art galleries and bookstores for the more literate among us; and a real blast from the past retro candy store that features "Old Tyme" candies for ashot of nostalgia. Don't be surprised if Pez dispensers start talking to you from the shelves. Humor them, they mean well, and Pez are people too!
For those of us who like rugged and rustic to go with our L.L. Bean, there is an army-navy surplus store with enough military high country gear to fill your own Full Metal Jacket. The vegetarian and organic crowd have a health food store that offers gluten free food for organic foodies, and a store that specializes only in olive oil. Italians swear by the stuff! Placerville is pet happy and pet friendly and the Pampered Pickle has canine goodies and gifts for Fido. Why the name Pampered Pickle if it's a pet gift store? I have no idea. Just another one of life's mysteries up there with "who really killed Kennedy" and "Where's Hoffa?"
The vines of wine are healthy, and High Sierra Wine Country is where Sierra Syrah flows like Niagra Falls. Wine tours in this lush mountain setting is an experience that must not be missed. The region is a full tilt boogie blooming outdoor garden of activity in the mountains, with the nearby American River for rafting, and theEl Dorado Forest for hiking and camping. 49er gold rush blues got you down? Then try your luck at gem panning at the Gold Bug Mine or take a gold country tour on one of the Strike It Rich Gold Country Tours.
Whitewater rafting is a religion in Placerville, so take your pick of any of the numerous rafting outfitters. Fishing, camping, horseback riding, mountain biking and high country hiking round out the full menu of activities for the outdoorsperson of either gender. After a day of exercise and and intercourse with Mother Nature, knotty pine it with the Sierra Nevada mountain range as your backdrop. Cabin or cottage, bed and breakfast, mom and pop motel or hotel, or pitch a tent in the confines of the conifers.
Foodies will have an absolute gastronomic orgasm as the culinary offerings are many and diverse from fresh seafood, California cuisine, Mexican food, vegetarian fare and pub and grub saloons that serve up local wines and over 24 draft and local beers. For a south of the border food experience served up with a touch of Steinbeck wit, make a stop at Tortilla Flats.
Hangtown events througout the year include everything from festivals celebrating wine and art to BBQ cook offs! In March it's Rhythym and Blooms Bartending Benefit at Powell's Steamer Pub, with local celebrity bartenders and a delicious gyrating galaxy of belly dancers to help move things along with a hippy, hippy shake. A classic car show revs it up in May and the Christmas season brings with it an avalanche of parades, festivities and even stagecoach rides! BBQ is king when the June Wagon Train BBQ Cookoff fires up the grill sponsored by the Highway 50 Association and closes out with one hell of a party as the grand finale.
For a complete list of events and activities in Hangtown and throughout El Dorado County, visit their website at: http://eldoradocounty.org Hangtown, USA where you can hang em high in the High Sierra