Going On The Road with Monte & Rose

May 19, 2013

Acorn Campground

New Hogan Lake,

Valley Springs, CA

Moving Day-We planned on leaving by 11am to attend the Calaveras County Fair in Angel’s Camp. We were also planning on moving back over to our original site when we got home from the fair.

But when we noticed the campers in site 131 packing up at 10am we decided to postpone leaving for the Fair and started packing up.

By noon we were moved over to site 131 and set off for the Fair. The route took us through rolling hills, quite a contrast to views we have had for the past few months in the desert.

Just after entering the town of Angels Camp we pulled over to the side of the road to purchase a basket of cherries from a farm stand. I placed the cherries in our cooler with ice packs I had brought along just in case we stop for groceries on the way home.

Angels Camp is adorable.

I wish we would have had more time to check it out but it was already after 1pm and I didn’t want to take away from the time spent at the Fair.

(History-Henry and George Angel tried their hand at prospecting but didn’t like the work involved so they set up a trading post, which became a camp and eventually a town. The first post office was established in 1851.)

After paying the $6 parking fee, we found a spot not too far from the main gate.

I had read on-line that admission was $12/person.

But I guess I missed the small print stating that rate was for advanced ticket sales.

It cost $30.

One of the main events at the Calaveras County Fair is the Frog Jumping Competition.

Mark Twain had based his short story, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County on a story he claimed he heard at Angels Hotel in 1865. Because the frog competition is held each year at the fairgrounds, Angels Camp is sometimes referred to as “Frogtown”.

The contest wasn’t staring until 3pm so we walked around checking out the different vendors and performers.

When we passed under this tree we noticed a mama woodpecker feeding her baby who was comfortably settled in a hole.

The mama flew off probably to get more food. We waited a few minutes to see if she would return but didn’t so we moved on.

There was a large antique machine display.

Can you imagine the housewife's joy

when this "modern" washing machine was introduced?

It was very hot. The grand stand in from of the Frog Jumping Competition stage was in direct sunlight. The bleachers were uncomfortable because they didn’t have a backrest.

The competition began after the singing of the National Anthem.

Frog Jump rules of the game:

Frog requirements: Must be at least 4 inches from nose to tail.

Must begin jump with all four feet, including toes, on the 8-inch launch pad.

Jump measuring:

The distance will be measured on the third jump in a straight line from the center of the pad to the tail of the frog. A walk or skip is counted as a jump.

If a frog jumps into the jockey or the jockey’s equipment, the frog will be disqualified.

The jump must occur within one minute from start to finish.

Touching the frog after it leaves the pad is cause for immediate disqualification.

The official measurers

There are several “frog catchers” with nets around the stage to scoop up the frog at the completion of its third jump.

At one point Monte moved closer to the stage to get better pictures.

I think the most entertaining events were the ones where the jockeys were very small children. Most of the children competing come from a long line of competitors. Some of the competitors have been frog jumping for over 50 years.

A sampling of the names of some of the frogs include, Lucky Leaper, Spot the Frog, Froginator, Tax Collector (from the County Tax Collectors office), Lilly Pond, Princess Frog, Cold Feet and Peanut Butter Jelly.

While the frog jumping contest was taking place, there was a police dog exhibition taking place at the Frogtown Arena adjacent to the stage so we had a clear view of the scene.

Finally the winner was announced-Riley Kitchell, son of last year’s champion, Laura Kitchell. He was the next to last to complete. His frog jumped 20 feet.

It was enough to win this year’s competition but not enough to beat the current record holder Lee Giudici whose frog, Rosie the Ribiter, jumped 21 feet, 5 3/4 inches.

Monte told me he was going to try to get closer to take a picture of the trophy.

The next thing I know he is taking a picture with Riley.

The winning frog.

For some reason Monte’s shirt was quite an attraction as many people commented to us on it.

I don’t know why because he has worn it many times and no one has said anything about it in the past.

The next attraction, the demolition derby, wasn’t scheduled to begin until 5:30. We had almost an hour and since I didn’t want to sit in the uncomfortable bleachers in the direct sunlight until the start of the derby, I suggested we walk around.

We found a great place to sit on the balcony of an exhibit hall overlooking the arena where the derby would take place. It was shaded and there was an occasional cooling breeze.

Monte bought me a margarita and then set off to buy a funnel cake.

While he was gone I took pictures of the track being readied for the derby.

An announcement was made that the balcony would be shutting down at 5pm and only some dignitaries would be allowed to remain. BUMMER

Monte and I returned to the bleachers and shared the funnel cake. We were still hungry so he went back to the food area and purchased a grinder for us to share. It cost over $9 with tax and was horrible. There was very little meat and the peppers and onions were cut in big chucks that were not cooked thoroughly. Then to top it off a canned cheese sauce was poured on top. When we go out places I normally pack us a lunch but had decided not to today because and was sorry I hadn’t.

By the time the derby started, the bleachers we were sitting in had shade. It was a relief but I already knew I was going to be paying for sitting on them with a sore back tomorrow.

I had never been to a demolition derby before so it was a new experience for me. If someone had told me I would enjoy watching cars crash into each other I would have thought they were nuts---BUT I like it!

Prior to the derby I hadn’t understood the reason the track was being prepped with large timbers. But when I saw cars being pushed over the timbers it became very clear to me why the barrier was necessary.

In between events, the cars leave the track with the ones that are unable to drive off being towed off.

My favorite event was the Powder Puff derby with all women drivers. If it hadn’t been announced that it was the Powder Puff, I wouldn’t have know they were women drivers because they were as aggressive as the men.

I told Monte I wanted leave after the Powder Puff event because my back was sore and I didn’t want to get caught up in a mass exodus at the end of the derby.