Goldtown, Railtown, Jamestown

Back to Jamestown: it's all about gold gold GOLD!

The Mother Lode - wow.

Well, it was. Back in the 1800s. We didn't go scrabbling around for gold nuggets in our backyard, but we're pretty sure most of it is gone. A lump or two may have found their way into my sock or wedged themselves in the grooves of my sneaker. Maybe, just maybe.

Don't go stealin' other people's nuggets.

Jamestown is also a historic railtown. The steam engine still choo-choos it's way around the outskirts of town. The heritage buildings - many of them carefully conserved - are wonderfully quaint and charming, and prettily painted like Easter eggs. It's no pastel-coloured sissy town though - it's saloons, steak houses and antique gun shops give it an "old west" atmosphere, nostalgia that has seen tougher rowdier days.

Guns!!

Your friendly neighbourhood store

Big blue building

Classic white lace curtains

Beautiful heritage buildings

Welcome to the Old West.

An easter egg filled with treasure.

We were just hanging around Jamestown.

Hop onto the bandwagon for bargain books!

There was this amazing little shop that was a deli, cafe, gift and bakeshop all rolled into one. It had the largest selection of - get this - COOKIE CUTTERS we've ever seen. Just think of any shape - even those that you can't imagine a cookie in - and you'll find it hanging on the wall. Some of my favourites were the diamond ring, vulture, cactus, and and... so many others - walls and walls of them - that I can't remember any others now. I was very impressed to find that they had a cookie cutter for every dog breed!

Don't fit the mold? Find your own!

What was equally fascinating were the jars of sugar decorations ranging from farm animals to easter themed items to lovey dovey designs. It makes you want to just throw on an apron and whip up some cupcakes! Well, almost. I was very happy just ooohing and aaaahing at everything.

Minature farm animals

Jars of sweetness

I 'heart' hearts!

Still, if you want to bake up a storm in the shape of a teddy bear or Elmo, there's a pan for everything. And you can rent it for just $5. So you can bake different cakes for your kiddos instead of trying to shape them into a different Care Bear (but still a bear) every year.

The folks at the shop took the Rent-A-Pan tag a little too far though - check out the toilet pan pan!

Rent a pan for $5!