For all you history buffs reading this post, here's a little blurb about Capay Valley. Gabby grew about 30 minutes from this area, and when she was just 18 tried her hand at Black Jack at the Cache Creek Casino and felt very cool, and once, camped overnight along Cache Creek (a great place)
Wineries have been popping up alongside some organic farms and my personal favorite, there is white water rafting on the Cache Creek. Anyone coming from out of town may want to look into possibly doing some rafting the day of the wedding but please remember it will be September and the current 70 degree sunny days doesn't bode well for a great trip down the creek. However, you never know, there may still be water in September.
These are two things I would do in Capay Valley if I had the time, and since I'm the bride, I doubt I'll have it.
2. Go rafting on Cache Creek - preferred site is being updated, will add link later
Okay, enough of my "expertise" and on to some real facts: Right from the Capay Valley Web Site:
The Cache Creek watershed was home for Native American tribes for centuries before the Capay Valley entered modern history, but these indigenous and nomadic people left little physical evidence of their way of life. In 1846 the government of Mexico granted lands in the Capay Valley to three Berryessa brothers, beginning the period of settlement. Portions of this land grant were sold to Americans beginning in the 1850s. In 1887 land speculators organized the Capay Valley Land Company in conjunction with the construction of the Vaca Valley and Clear Lake Railroad, and subsequently this company and others divided up areas of the valley into parcels to sell to potential fruit farmers. The railroad served the valley from 1888 until the 1930s, while the valley was developed into various agricultural uses.
All of western Yolo County's surface irrigation water supply passes through Cache Creek in the Capay Valley. Descending gradually from Lake County, the creek and its tributaries dominate the valley and have laid down varied alluvial soils and gravelly deposits. Mining of the gravel resources near Esparto over the last century has altered the native riparian environment there, and human activity in other parts of the valley has also changed the native vegetation, but many areas remain relatively pristine.
Wildlife abounds, particularly in the canyons, draws, and rangelands rising from the valley floor. Many varieties of birds inhabit or visit the area. Residents can frequently observe deer, skunks, rodents, and rattlesnakes; less often coyotes, opossums, beavers, and raccoon. Mountain lions and bear are present but rarely seen. Feral pigs have become a problem in recent years.
Regional population includes old-timers and retirees; conventional and organic farmers; hobby farmers and absentee landowners; small settlements of Mexican farm workers; and a number of residents committed to rural living while they commute to outside employment. The valley's main connection points are the post offices at Brooks, Guinda, and Rumsey; the fire stations; and the Brooks Mini-Mart. The unincorporated town of Esparto, which is the center of the unified school district, boasts a new (1999) branch of the Yolo County Library. Historic community halls in Rumsey and Guinda are currently undergoing renovation
