photo by Eric Harnish

Wondering what to do with a free day in an unfamiliar town? You can turn to the Internet for ideas. Or you can ask Mom.
We were visiting Modesto for a family wedding. It was scheduled for late afternoon, which left the day open for exploring.
My mom doesn't do technology. No smartphone. No computer. Not even email. So, when we're traveling together, she relies on me to plan routes with Maps, research restaurants on Yelp, and, on this trip, find something interesting to visit in Modesto.
But according to a popular travel website I checked, there wasn't much to choose from. It turns out, Mom knew better.
"How about driving out to Knights Ferry?" she suggested. I wasn't sure what that was, but it sounded more interesting than anything I found online.
Off we went, heading northeast on Highway 120, which parallels the Stanislaus River and ascends into the buff-colored foothills after passing through Riverbank and then Oakdale.
Turning off the highway on a non-descript road, we crossed the river and parked at the US Army Corps of Engineers Visitor and Information Center.
A short path led to the well-preserved remnants of California's Gold Rush past. The multi-story rock walls of a formerly-profitable grist mill still stand. Large rusting pipes that carried water to power the mill are visible through the window openings. It's an impressive facility whose previous hustle and bustle is belied by its now-peaceful setting.
As we wandered the ruins and read the interpretive signs, birds chirped in the trees and the laughter and chatter of excited children carried up from the river. The bright sun hung in a cloudless blue sky where turkey vultures glided overhead.
The main attraction lies just beyond the mill. Knights Ferry Bridge, which holds the distinction of being the longest covered bridge west of the Mississippi, is an impressive sight and a testament to the craftspeople who built it between March 1862 and May 1863.
Three stone buttresses lift its 360-foot span above the boulder-filled riverbed. The wood plank walls and tin roof are intact and the deck looks ready for vehicle traffic to resume. Originally built for wagons, it proved strong enough for cars too, remaining open to vehicles until 1981.
Closed even to pedestrians now, chain link fencing blocks the entrance. We contented ourselves with peering through the fence and across its silent length.
Looking for lunch, we headed back the way we came and stopped in Oakdale at the H-B Saloon. It's everything you'd hope a bar would be in a town that bills itself the "Cowboy Capital of the World."
The owner was just opening for the day when we arrived. Lunch isn't served on Saturdays, he said, but we stayed for a drink anyway. We appreciated the chance to be out of the sun and to enjoy a cold beverage. Perched at the end of the bar, we took in the photos and memorabilia adorning the walls that marked 80-some years of family and small-town history.
Thanks to Yelp, we landed across the street for lunch at someplace much newer. Bistro 120 opened last year. Its brick walls and exposed beam ceilings exude a hip, big-city aesthetic. The dining room buzzed with a lunchtime crowd and when our food arrived, it became obvious why the restaurant was packed.
I had the ahi nachos while Mom opted for the street tacos. Both were good. But honestly, Mom had the better pick. Three large flour tortillas were topped with cheese, cabbage, pico de gallo, jalepenos, a drizzle of poblano sauce and a chili-rubbed chicken that was moist, tender and bursting with flavor.
They were an excellent choice. And also an excellent reminder that even with the Internet, sometimes Mom still knows best.
Eric Harnish lives in Castaic.

Knights Ferry
knightsferry.com
H-B Saloon
209-847-2985
Bistro 120
bistro120.com