We love road trips. For us they are grand for some it leads to fights. I'm the driver and she's my lovely passenger and sometimes there is a third voice in the car; Google driving directions.

Sunday we decided to hit the road and be festive. St Nick style and not Santa & Elves way. Nevada City throws a Victorian Christmas on wednesday nights and on sunday aternoons. We decide Sunday was the fun day as it would be warmer to do before the sun drops. Lots of others had the same idea.

I'm a Foothills kinda guy. I dunno something speaks to me over 1000ft up and certainly 2000ft. I've always loved Grass Valley and Nevada City and even Placerville. Anyways, it was a bit hard to park near downtown but I already knew it and had a plan. We drove to the city government area and hopped on a waiting short bus to take us down to the main Victorian epicenter. It's nice that Nevada City figured that bus service out. Thousands of people were miling the downtown closed off area checking out the street performers, the food trucks, the vendor tents, and of course the Nevada City local stores! Cha Ching....

Music filled the chilly air as street musicians lined the roads while "characters" walk around all dressed up in victorian garb. It was just missing two things. Snow(that would have been problamatic) and the smell of chestnuts on an open fire(i must have missed that food truck!). Otherwise this Nevada City Victorian Christmas was a gas and a fun date idea. By the way there was plenty of warm libations from toddys and mulled wine to hot chocolate and cider to wrap your hands around.We had a great time as witnessed below.

We were there. We did it. We avoided traffic. Date night sacramento is part of history as we were part of the masses to open Golden 1 Center with Paul McCartney.

To have a better low stress evening we got a hotel room and took off from work early. How cool was that. Very. 

Paul was still a rockstar and worked it on stage. My wife the "Beatles Girl" from her High School had an amazing time taking it all in. What a way to spend a date night sacramento. And yes we spent.

I picked up my sweetie after work and we hit the road. Not the clogged freeways but the side streets in search for Art. The Sacramento Mural Festival was running all week and we had to check it out. There have been some murals in Sac but certainly not in the same volume as we have seen in Portland.

So good for Sac for doing this and we had to represent. Some were still be painted as we showed up mid week. See the gallery below for a smattering and some "action" photos.

It was the last official Pops in the Park in East Sacramento and we had to go. I said had to go because my wife's friend live right around the corner so we all had to rep her hood. You know it's so much easier going to a community event when you have a driveway to park in and a bathroom and a refrigerator you can sneak off to.

Good times were had at Glenn Hall Park for the second year in a row. Thank you Karen and all of River Park for the Hospitality.

A twofor. I'm a member of the American Marketing Association and my club amongst several other related clubs were having a inter club mixer. The Coin-Op Game Room in Downtown Sacramento was reserved for a private function for us so I thought I'd ask the wife to join me and have some fun. No networking needed just Games, Games, Games, and some free pizza & wings. Couldn't pass up a free meal and a chance to play retro video games.

Nice big subterranean space with all kinds of video games taking me back to high school with the added adult bonus of Drinks. You should make it a date and go back in time working on you eye hand co-ordination for later!

Not Swearing but we were surround by Bitches at Oak Park Brewing for the Sacramento SPCA Fundraiser. Fun time at the brewery in the heat with plenty of liquid refreshments for the humans and dogs who attended.

The Sac SPCA has a series of Yappy Hours so make sure you stop in at one and hand over some cash to them.

it was a fun time with another couple and their dog Bobby.
Double date night.

This week I'm thinking a bit of relaxing with public displays.

Pops in the Park is a music series in East Sac that moves to different parks each of the 4 weeks. This Saturday night it's in Bertha Henschel Park for the John Skinner Band. They play wedding and events and know 1000's of songs according to their website. Anything from jazz to latin to country to swing and big band. basically a party band with a horn section to get you moving.

Think about  great evening of music(dancing is up to you) an bringing a blanket to lay out and snuggle up on or a couple of fold up chairs next to one another. Food vendors and a Beer and Wine Garden well help lubricate the evening. But, bring sunscreen before you become a painful lobster that kills the mood Sunday Morning.