© Craig MacDonald
Woods Creek, which cuts through canyons and ravines near the western edge of Yosemite , was one of the richest gold streams in the Sierra. But gold wasn’t the richest discovery made by three miners during the Christmas Season of 1849.
A dam had burst. Three dejected young miners frantically scrambled to higher ground, where the rest of the camp gathered. In the darkness, they could hear the rushing water below sweeping over everything–washing away their gold and hopes. Their fourth morning together started off with a chill and one of the miners suddenly blurted out, “Good Lord boys! Do you know this is Christmas?” Read about a Sierra Christmas worth more than gold.
(To read more of Pulitzer Prize nominee Craig MacDonald’s true Holiday Stories and to receive an autographed–author and illustrator–book of “Old West Christmas-Tales with a Twist,” please send a $25 check, made out to Anderson Art Gallery, and mail to Anderson Art Gallery, P.O. Box 1710, Sunset Beach, CA 90742)
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