My husband and I had two kids, a small pistachio orchard, and over a time-span of many years, two mutts and ten Australian shepherds, all of them the best dogs in the world.

Back: Bleu
Front: Rocky and Teddy

The place where we lived was just off of the old historic road that ran from Stockton to Jackson, California. (Actual view from our house.) And by living in such an interesting place, it was very natural for hubby and me to load the kids in the car, and go roaming around the foothills .

The end-result of all these excursions was the development of a true love for the Gold Rush region. I have worked hard to convey the magic of the area in my books - the rolling hills covered with golden grasses, the huge old oak trees with the dusty blue-green leaves, the giant granite boulders littering the landscape, left behind eons ago by melting glaciers.

Well, time goes on, the kids have grown up, and the orchard is now receiving TLC from new owners. But, from time to time, it is still fun to hop in the car and drive to Jackson, enjoy the scenery, check things out at Hein & Co Used Books, and eat the best darned chiliburger in the world at Mel and Faye's Diner.

And here is Collier (named because he was found on Collier Road), whose doppelganger stars as Dog in my Gold Rush Mystery books.