Being a scuba dive instructor, I have been fortunate not only to see, but to dive the seven seas over the past couple of years. One day, as I awoke, I decided to challenge myself by getting out of my comfort zone and exposing myself to new, and hopefully exciting, activities. 

Since all my friends in California seem to enjoy golf, I chose this sport to bring variety into my otherwise boring life. The days I spent at Saddle Creek Resort, not only met, but far exceeded my expectations of what a first-class golf resort should be.

Golfing Is Only The Beginning At The Saddle Creek Resort - I was super excited to try golf, drive the cute golf car, and to chase the little white ball. Learning new things for me is empowering, exhilarating and often funny. When Jack and I went to the golf pro shop in the morning to sign in, I was sent home to change my jean short for something more appropriate-something that met the dress code of the private golf club. The man behind the counter erased our names from his list with a deep exhalation, and sadly told us that he had to move our tea time. Just when I was about to say that we already had some coffee thanks, I felt Jack’s elbow in my ribs and heard him whispering: “Tee time, silly!” 

Minutes later, with the adequate clothing, clubs, and our white golf cart, we started our journey through the 18-hole, Carter Morrish designed golf course rated No. 8 in the state by Golfweek magazine. The course was impeccably maintained by an army of attendants working around the clock to make sure the manicured grounds pleased even the most discriminating golfer. The course was challenging, yet every hole was full of aesthetically pleasing and dramatic views of the Sierras. 

At least to the novice, golf seems to be all about physics: estimating distance and direction, and using the right force to direct the ball. I did quite well to my, and Jack’s, surprise. Having played the first nine holes, I had gotten the hang of golf, so I started playing at an exhilarated speed and caught up with four women. I asked if I could take pictures of their play for my article, and they delightedly agreed. As we were chit-chatting, I learned valuable golf etiquette from one of the girls, Johns Slezak: “Quiet when somebody addresses the ball!” it was kind of hard though, as it seemed it was always somebody’s turn… All in all, golfing turned out way more fun than I thought it would. 

Golfing at the Saddle Creek Resort was a Zen-like experience because of the natural beauty, and the focus and concentration necessary to place the ball in the hole.  Golfing capped-off the perfect day!

The Heart Of The Copper Valley - Copperopolis Town Square – a new “country town” just four miles from the resort -- is currently under construction. Once finished, visitors will find quaint shops, fashionable boutiques, eclectic galleries restaurants and an inn. Workers are tirelessly building the twenty two structures that will account for 233,000 square feet or residential and retail space. The town square component was recently completed, featuring a territorial-style gazebo, landscaped fountain, park benches, shady oak trees, flag poles, stone masonry walls and old-fashioned gas lamp posts create an inviting, comfortable environment.

Copperopolis Town Square is ideally situated for visitors to the very heart of Copper Valley and upper elevations of Calaveras County. This will be a place where modern day pioneers discover the way life used to be. It is conveniently located just off Highway 4 and will be accessible to visitors traveling between the Bay area and points east such as Yosemite, Reno and Tahoe.

Wining and Dining In Gold Country - A short drive trough the historic Gold Country took us to Murphy's, our wine tasting destination. We parked our car at the front of Twisted Oak’s tasting room and began our sampling.  Nicole Somero, our hostess, said that “I still read Wine for Dummies” as she poured Zinfandel and Merlot to a crowded room of wine aficionados waiting to sample the latest vintage of the Tempranillo. We then proceeded to the Milliare Winery, where Jana Nadler proudly poured the gold medal award-winning Old Vine Calaveras County Zinfandel.  It seems like every winery has something uniquely theirs, such as the Orange Muscat at Stevenot Winery. We finally arrived at my favorite winery - Black Sheep.

I not only liked this place for their Cabernet France, but for the charismatic and funny Kathie Miller. She entertained everyone at the winery with her stories, including the one about Mark Twain, whose cabin was up Jackass Hill, and how he wrote the “Celebration of the Jumping Frog.”   She continued her dialogue about Mark Twain as she opened another bottle of the True Frogs Lily Pad Red.  Katie’s graciousness and hospitality exceed any expectation I had from a wine hostess.  She made us a care package for the road, with some home grown tomatoes, crackers, and with the strangest-looking yellow, round cucumber I have ever seen.   

By the time we had to go back to the resort for dinner, we had bought enough wine to stock our wine cabinet for a few months, or weeks, knowing us. Once at the resort, we were greeted by Dan Murphy, our Maitre d’, who proved to be quite the Renaissance Man.  Aside from being the resort restaurant’s Maitre d’, Dan is an architect by trade, and he also served as our fly fishing guide.

The ambiance at the restaurant was one of casual elegance.  The staff was extremely attentive and more than eager to accommodate our every request. I ordered the Macadamia Nut Halibut with Forbidden Chinese Black Rice. The halibut was cooked to perfection, and the presentation was nothing short of what you would find in one of Los Angeles’ top restaurants.  I am curious by nature, so I had to ask the chef about the Forbidden Chinese Black Rice. He proceeded to tell me that the Forbidden Chinese rice gets its name from the fact that it is black, and the color comes from squid ink.

Jack ordered the Italian Salt Rubbed Filet Mignon Tournedos with Haricot Vert’s Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes & Cognac Dijon Mustard Veal Demi Glace. When my food-snobby husband took the first bite of his stake I patiently awaited for his verdict. As soon as he swallowed, he exclaimed excitedly “I asked for medium, and look! It’s perfect.”  Being European, I am extremely picky about the bread I eat and the coffee I drink.  I was impressed with both at the Saddle Creek Resort.  The fresh, still warm, rustic Mediterranean roll before the salad, and the espresso after desert, far exceeded my expectations and pleased my palate. 

After our delicious and filling meal we opted for a short walk around the lake front of the restaurant.  We turned in early in anticipation of the activity-filled day ahead of us.

My favorite activity was fly fishing on the last day of our excursion. We woke up early morning to coffee and fresh berries for breakfast.  An amazing thing happened that morning that underscores the staff’s attention to detail.  I like my coffee with soy milk, and had requested a soy milk latte the night before.  The restaurant didn’t have soy milk, but the staff remembered I liked soy milk, and they had prepared a soy milk latte for me! 

After breakfast we picked-up three lunch boxes filled with goodies for later. We met Dan Murphy at Tuolumne, Cherry Creek and started our 20-minute hike to find a suitable spot for our introductory fishing lesson. Dan is a fly fishing instructor, who hosts three-day programs that teach people fly fishing basics like tying knots, selecting proper bait for the season (fly vs. grasshopper), and more in depth knowledge regarding appropriate fishing spots.

He tried to pass on to us as much as he could in half a day. I soaked up his words about how there are more fish in the rivers of Montana than in the ones in the Sierras due to the fact that Montana is built of limestone. Limestone is filled with nutrients that wash into the rivers, starting a healthy food chain; while the Sierras are built from rock solid marble, or granite, producing fewer nutrients, therefore less fish as a result. This year the water is at a 30-percent level of what is considered normal, due to the very dry months. Fishing here is all catch and release to ensure enough fish for the future.

Dan picked the strategically most advantages spot for fly fishing, where the fast water meets the calm. Trout don’t chase food, don’t waste energy, because they would be anorexic from spending more energy on hunting than eating their pray. Instead, they stay in the sheltered pockets, where they find comfort, safety from predators, and from where they can jump out when they see food.

Standing between rocks in the cool, slightly moving river, feeling my boots filling up with water while the sun was stroking my back, while a slight breeze played with my hair, felt like heaven on earth. I heard birds singing, the water crashing the rocks, and all of mother-nature’s melodic sounds. I smelled nature as well; the water, and the woods. Living in the city, I had forgotten what clean air smells like. I saw a fox, a bear, and we even caught a fish! 

I wish I could have stayed a few more days at the Saddle Creek Resort to explore the neighborhood better, but it was time to go home. We opted to drive trough Yosemite on the return part of our trip instead of the shorter, but more uneventful, way we chose on the way there. We drove trough Yosemite National Park for a few hours admiring the majestic waterfalls and dramatic forests and cliffs.

I long looked for my Shangri-La and in Saddle Creek I found it. I wish to find the way back one day.