Wedding Weather: Lovely with a chance of Bubbles, Toasts and Friends?

P'ville, February 25 (Sac Bee photo)

Spring in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada is a wondrous time. The hills go chlorophyll green, dappled with magenta redbuds, blue ceanothus and improbably orange poppies. And the weather? As they say in New England, if you don't like it, just wait 5 minutes... So here you are at the cusp of the vernal equinox, wondering what to pack for a trip to Northern California. All I can say is bring layers...and maybe an umbrella. Expect blue skies with fluffy cumulus clouds drifting lazily by but don't be surprised if a spring shower or a brief hail storm of biblical proportions wanders through. Please note the picture of our village at right published by the Sacramento Bee just 2 weeks ago. And yes, the name of this blog is ironic, but you already knew that...

weather.com widget 03.07.2011 AM

There are many signs that Spring weather has arrived. Quince, plums and mustard are in bloom. Redbuds, crabapples, cherries and pears are budding. Buckeyes were leafing out a month ago. Pacific Tree Frogs are singing up a storm (love and amplexus to you, my dear). And the weather man is mostly positive for the end of the week--days in the low-mid sixties and evenings in the high thirties/low forties. Sounds like blue skies, green lights, short sleeves and zories to me. But don't place all your trust in an optimist...semper paratus are still words to live by.

Get me to the Church on Time!: Local Logistics

3 important tidbits below: directions to the wedding ceremony from Placerville or from the Sacramento area plus directions to the Shakespeare Club from the church.

For people staying in the Placerville area, getting to the Emmanuel Church in Coloma is fairly simple. To start, find your way back to the Shell station (near Mel's and Buttercup Pantry) on lower Main Street. This is where CA Hwy 49 crosses US 50. Follow  Highway 49, North about 8 miles to Coloma and the Marshall Gold Discovery Site State Park. The drive will seem like a lot further than 8 miles to most of you. Highway 49 is a 2-lane rural road for the most part. Plan 20-30 minutes for the drive. You will make several very tight turns and drive on steep grades as you drop into the American River canyon. Please watch your speed, take your time and enjoy the gorgeous green of the Spring foothills. If the weather warms a bit more you might just see a few blooming orchards or a hillside painted with California poppies. Click here for printable driving directions and a larger map. Double-click the Coloma portion of the large map to zoom in for a better picture of surrounding roads. It will take several zooms to expose an appropriate level of resolution.

Directions: Folsom to Emmanuel Church in Coloma

Coming up the hill from the Sacramento area on Saturday? This route is more direct (and less curvacious) than coming all the way to Placerville before heading down to the Emmanuel Church in the Marshall Gold Discovery Site State Park at Coloma. These directions are specifically from the Folsom Courtyard Marriott where a few people are staying, but they will work for anyone else who manages to find their way to Folsom (just East of Scaramento) on US Highway 50. Click here for printable driving directions and a larger map. Double-click the Coloma portion of the large map to zoom in for a better picture of surrounding roads. It willl take several zooms to expose an appropriate level of resolution.

Directions: Placerville to Emmanuel Church in Coloma

Getting to the Shakspeare Club from the Emmanuel Church. The ceremony should be over no later than 3:00 PM giving you at least 60 minutes to take in some Coloma interpretive displays, historic buildings or to mosey up to the Venezio Winery a few miles North on Highway 49. Leave yourself at least 30 minutes to get back to Placerville, pretty much a straight shot South on Highway 49. Pay attention now! The easiest way to get to the Shakspeare Club is to use a local shortcut. As you approach Placerville proper, passing the intersection of Highway 193 on your left and getting into some old Victorian homes, slow down to 25 and watch for a left turn onto Spring Street (brick home on your left) just where Highway 49 takes a sharp right and descend to US 50. .3 miles up Spring Street you'll get to the back of the Shakespeare Club with parking on both sides of Spring Street.

Spring St side of Shakespeare Club: Parking

If you miss the Spring Street turn and end up crossing US 50, no problem. Just proceed East on Main Street, turning left at the Courthouse onto Bedford. Cross US 50 and proceed up Bedford (one way), past the Shakespeare Club to the first stop sign which will allow you turn left and circle round back behind the Club. Click here for printable driving directions and a larger map. Double-click the Placerville portion of the large map to zoom in for a better picture of surrounding roads. It will take several zooms to expose an appropriate level of resolution.

Directions: Emmanuel Church to the Shakespeare Club