 |
 |
 |
 |
The end of March in Ishi Nation unfolded a vast array of wildflowers on Table Mountain. The town of Cherokee, CA., a hole in the wall about an hour from Chico, is home to the Cherokee Museum, a little 1850's display of mining lore, and memorabilia from the era of the California gold/diamond rush. Here, we find a most interesting historical spot.. Below you will see the ruins of the bank where Debeers kept their diamonds and gold. The first diamonds to be mined in the United States came from this land...in the mid 1800's. |
| Indeed, the views up on the mountain are spectacular, and the wildflowers incomparable.... lila is contemplating vastness... |
My brother Mark bought this little Fiat Spider the day before we took a drive up to Cherokee, ..named for the men who were hired to lead an expedition into this vast country, which previously had been home to Concow Maidu. These Cherokee men were undoubtably trained to be greedy, and most likely paid to hunt Maidu. And the few Conow Maidu who are remnants of this massacre remain to tell their side of the story. |
 |
| .....AND.... Mark generously put the keys to his new car in lila's hands and let her drive home!!!) |
|
There was much gold taken out of this region....AND diamonds too.... the first to be mined in the USA....by Debeers. !!!! The remnants of this harvest are bald faced outcroppings, strip mined, leaving irreversible erosion. Mercury tailings are evidence of the �process�. Still, a beauty shines here where the ghosts of the past ceaselessly haunt. When will we ever learn? Lani Lila |
 |
| home |