a fascination for toads

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Ate Maddie and JP brought us to the Ironstone Heritage Museum in Murphys. The feature of the museum is a giant gold nugget. However, what really stuck with me is the display of toads all over the city. I've been wondering about the city's fascination with toads.

I learned that Mark Twain wrote a novel about "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County". It's about betting on how far frogs can jump. Perhaps, this is why there are so many frog or toad images and figurines scattered in Murphys. 

Do the people there still do these frog races and jumping contests? That would be interesting to watch.






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