Jumping Frogs at Angels Camp

 

We camped across the highway from the Calaveras County Fairgrounds entrance at our delightful spot in Big Oak Campground, Glory Hole Recreation Area, overlooking New Melones Lake just outside of Angels Camp, CA. Our neighbors were once again Jim and Gail, who had come along to see this little home town fair with its infamous frog jumping contest that we had talked about! Our campsites were up on a bluff with oak trees shading our outdoor area. 

What a great spot for some birdwatching while enjoying the lake views cooled by the gentle breeze. A pair of Pileated Woodpeckers kept flying through our campsite from their nest in the trunk of an oak tree on the left of our site, out to perch on a dead tree overlooking the bluff. Their raucous calls, red heads and striking black and white  feathers provided lots of entertainment. 

A pair of Green-violet Swallows circled around our campsite just over our heads, as they were gathering nesting material and catching insects. Their nesting site was a hole in the oak tree trunk on the right side of our site. We also spotted Sharp-shinned Hawks, Turkey Vultures, Ravens, White-breasted Nuthatch, Oak Titmouse, and Gail saw a wild Turkey near our picnic table one morning!

Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee (130th)

 

 

Samuel Clemens, who penned newspaper articles and published stories under the name Mark Twain, lived for a short time in the area now known as Angels Camp, which during his day was a mining camp. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During his stay, Samuel heard the tall tale of a man who would bet on anything, including how far a frog could jump! Later Clemens, aka Mark Twain immortalized this story in print, and this charming small country community has kept this tale alive with their annual Jumping Frog Jubilee! Children and adults alike take part in the contest for bragging rights, world records and cash prizes. The current record was over 21', measured from the launch pad to the place the frog lands on its third jump. Along the street in Angels camp bronze plaques in the pavement create a Frog Walk of Fame, to the winners of the event over the years.

 

 

The fair is more than just the fabled frog jump contest though. Rodeo Events and 4-H competitions, Carnival Rides and Art Exhibits, Fair Food and an evening of Demolition Derby, among other things, all join together for some hometown family fun on the third weekend in May in Angels Camp, CA!

 

 

At the end of our time in

Angels Camp we headed east to an RV park just outside of  the western Sierras. We settled in and did some laundry and repairs before leaving our trailer there and driving three hundred miles home for an extended Memorial Day Weekend.

 

After the weekend we will head back to our trailer to resume our Adventures on the Road!