On the Road to Rumsey

Quail Eggs from Rumsey-note coins for size

      Rumsey, California.  Not on everybody's "must visit" bucket list.   The Mayor visited Rumsey (pop. 125)over the weekend, going down the 'hill' for some time in the flat lands.  As one traverses the 505, exits note destinations west: toward Clear Lake, etc.  The exit to Highway 20 takes the traveler to the picturesque Capay Valley, a stretch of agricultural land that follows the track of Cache Creek as it flows east toward the Sac valley and the flyways of Colusa, Tehama, and Yolo counties.  The geology exposed in the water-cut channel features the edges of upended plates of folded strata, pointing skyward as they dissect the stream bed.  Twisting and turning around these faults, Cache Creek eventually broadens out to elevated benches where farmers have planted orchards of almonds and walnuts, and a few olives and grapevines.   This area might be called the "almond zone -west".   It was the weekend of the annual Almond Festival, put on by the locals up and down the Capay Valley.  All the communities were involved: from Esparto at the east end to Rumsey at the west end.   And it was well attended.
              Rumsey locals turned out in large numbers, enjoying the live music, the food stands, produce stands, and the craft stands inside the community center next to the tiny Rumsey P.O.  My crew and I enjoyed a grilled pork sausage (too late for pulled pork at 1 pm) will slider buns, cole slaw, and pinto beans.  The quail eggs were offered by a local farmer who has about 300 producing birds on his farm.  He and his partner had various fresh and pickled eggs available, of which this dozen was a sample.  Can't wait to try them.   Among the crowd were scores of 'bikers' who had motoered into town for the festivities.  The weather was fantastic after a weak front passed through overnight that left some snow on the local hilltops.   Harleys were parked on both sides of Highway 20.  In the community center, tables held the offerings of a Silent Auction with the usual items: theme baskets, crafts, oils, soaps, and artwork of all types.
more later