Save and Conquer

My wonderful wife has been looking into things to do with other family members on the upcoming 4th of July weekend. She suggested visiting a historic ranch on the Pacific Coast. The ranch is a part of the California State Park system. From the California State Parks Foundation web site

Visit Wilder Ranch’s historic cultural preserve and step back 100 years as you participate in a 1906-style Independence Day celebration including a noon family parade, games, children’s crafts area, music, living history demonstrations, historic speeches and flag-raising. Food and drink available for sale, or bring a picnic lunch. For more information, please call (831)426-0505. 11am-4pm.

I agreed that could be fun, but asked if she had considered a nearby attraction that has an open-seating train that travels through the coastal mountains to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. That ride is wonderfully scenic and travels along tracks and over canyon trestles that were built 100 years ago. They also have rides on an old steam locomotive up a mountain, and lots of turn of the century historic attractions. We have visited several times in the past and always had fun. My wife called and discussed prices with a helpful person at the park.

She came back and told me about the expected crowds and the various costs at the railroad park. She didn’t say anything, but I could tell she was not crazy about the idea of a dusty summer day mixed in with a large crowd. I think she also added up the cost and found it high.

I thanked her for checking on the railroad and then said that Wilder Ranch sounded like it would be less hectic and probably more fun. She grinned. Besides, it only costs $6 if you park in the State Park lot, and you can get in for free by parking along Hwy 1 and walking a little way.

When we visited the Ranch last year, our son had lots of fun playing games like rolling hoops, blowing large bubbles with a loop of rope, and walking on stilts.

There may be a historic park near you that puts on a 4th of July celebration. It is worth checking out.

Stumble it!