In this week’s stroll, my son Toby and I head up into the Sierra Nevadas to poke around Nevada City, California—an old gold mining town that’s been preserved so well it feels like you’re walking right into the Wild West. I’d seen pictures of this place before, and let me tell you, in person it’s even cooler. We wander the historic streets, check out the classic old buildings, and do a nice, leisurely walk up the hill where you can take in the shops, the architecture, and some beautiful old houses. Along the way we pop in for a break—Toby grabs coffee and I go with an Arnold Palmer (because I know what I like). I also point out some of the real-life stuff you notice when you travel, like the sandbags from all those atmospheric rivers that hit the West Coast and caused flooding in California. We peek at places like the National Hotel bar, a theater where Mark Twain did some things, and even the Pelton Waterwheel—which caught my eye because Pelton Dam is about a half hour from my house. Bottom line: Nevada City deserves a visit, especially if you like history, walking tours, and hidden-gem small towns.