Plymouth

When my family and I first moved up this way from the city, Plymouth was where we settled. It was a small quiet town then and is still one today, but that can soon be changing. Most of the scenery is rolling grass hills that turn a golden yellow during the hot summer months. I like to think that some of my best memories were here in this town. For me, it had a peaceful vibe to it. I lived just a skip and a hop away from the Amador county fairgrounds which had its pros and cons. It was close enough to take the kids to and they would have fun, but living so close you can hear the noise from the carnival and the people screaming on the rides and after the fair left town, the smell and flies were horrible.

There are some good little swimming holes near by (other than the pool) which is a bonus, especially when it gets to be in the triple digits in July and August. The town can also boast as having one of the best restaurants in all of amador county (5 stars and yes it is excellent). Off the main hwy and just a mile on the outskirts of Plymouth is the hidden gem called Shenandoah Valley where old and new vineyards are becoming all the rave. I once talked with a man at the grocery store who has been coming up this way for the past 4 years once he discovered Shenandoah and he said he preferred the vineyards up here to Napa valley. When I asked him why, he replied that its not just the great tasting wine, but the feeling of the valley and the people who run these vineyards, that don't do it on a large scale and are mom and pop sorts. And he is right. Some of the wineries have been around this area and passed down from generation to generation. Most of your older wine tasting crowds are coming up this way because for them, Napa has become to much of a hipsters kind of place and they just want something that is more down to earth and easy going.

Back on track, there isn't much job growth or home growth yet. That may see some changes in the future since land is relative cheap up this way and the larger richer wine businesses in Napa are starting to hone in on this particular area. Plus, the last I heard was the people of Plymouth were trying to fight a new casino being put up in there town. I don't blame them. After seeing what happened when Jackson had a casino approved and the kind of riff raff its attracting as well as traffic, Plymouth wouldn't be able to handle it and it would really take away from the agriculture businesses that help put this small town on the map. We never know what the future holds and will just have to wait and see.