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First a shout-out to all the new readers who found us after my talks in Coulterville and Groveland Saturday at the John Muir Festival. These two towns bookend Rt. 132, the “John Muir Highway.”  It was dedicated as such a couple years ago because he walked this road during his 1868 trek from San Francisco to Yosemite. Both settlements were important during the California Gold Rush as supply centers for the miners. Today they are an easy 25-minute ride apart, along historic Highway 120 & 49.

John Muir Highway

Many fun activities and displays were put on and a few speakers featured. In Coulterville, Peter and Donna Thomas spoke to an enthusiastic audience about their replication of Muir’s walk and their book on how to do it.

Donna Thomas, Deb Cook (Mayor), Peter Thomas

I followed with my “History of Half  Dome” presentation and Lee Stetson gave a superb impersonation of  John Muir. His Scottish accent is very convincing.

Rick Deutsch "Mr Half Dome"

Lee Stetson as John Muir

Later I headed up to the Big Creek Meadow Ranch for talk in a 150-year old barn and tri-tip meal. A Mark Twain impersonator gave a convincing performance.  If you missed the Festival, you must make a trip up to walk these two towns. They reek with history and feature historic buildings of the gold era. Both Museums are first class.

Unrelated thought worth quoting: “Some people call me the space cowboy. . Some call me the gangster of love. Some people call me Maurice, cause I speak of the pompetous of love.” – Steve Miller Band

MrHalfDome™ – Rick Deutsch – www.HikeHalfDome.com

One Best Hike: Yosemite’s Half Dome