From San Francisco, take Interstate 80 north past Sacramento to Colfax, then five miles west to the Nevada County line. Driving time: two hours.

"A quiet, winding highway through tall trees. This watercolor was done in summer. Another time, as we drove through at night, it began to snow. Snowflakes dance in the headlights. It was a magic time—the first time the children had seen snow."

"Under the bridge flows the Bear River toward Grass Valley, Nevada City, Placerville and nearby campgrounds."