Out West - Day 45

Check out the above photo - this is what a "blowout" looks like on the highway, at a speed of 60 MPH.

As I said last night, yesterday was the "day from hell", but today was much better. After we finally got underway last night, we spent the night in a Rest Area on Hwy 99, just south of Toulare, CA. It was a very nice rest area, but it bordered farmland, and the smell of manure was overwhelming!!! Fortunately for us, it was a cool night, so we could keep the windows closed! This morning, we drove into Toulare and parked the motor home at a Wal-Mart (which we had originally targeted to stay at last night). We saw a sign for the "Black Bear Diner" on our way into Toulare, so we headed there after parking the motor home.
This was, by far, the best breakfast we have had since we left Beverly, hands down! We LOVE diner food, and the Black Bear Diner did not disappoint. Thanks to Sandy and Mark Reese for letting us in on this "hidden gem" in CA. The good news is, they have multiple locations in California, so we may get to enjoy their food again, soon! While there, we purchased a gift for Aaron, but I can't disclose its identity.

Today, Saturday, October 18, we traveled as far as Kingsburg, CA, where we are staying in a campground until Monday morning. We will try to visit Sequoia National Park tomorrow, after Mass (8:00AM), and, time permitting, Kings Canyon National Park, just north of Sequoia. This afternoon, after getting settled at the campground, we headed in to Fresno to try to catch the Forestierre Sunken Gardens (thanks to Neal Goldstein for informing us about this hidden treasure). When we arrived, we found out that the exhibit is only open on Saturdays and Sundays, and the tours run one per hour from 11AM through 2PM. We arrived at 3:30PM - closed!! So, on the way back, we stopped at a couple of RV Dealers lots and looked at new RVs. Not to worry, we did not buy a new motor home - we really didn't see anything we liked (or could afford). Next, we stopped at a Wal-Mart in Selma, CA (THE Raisin Capital of the World!), and picked up a few grocery items, AND more Oak Leaf Chardonnay ($1.97/750L bottle). Oh, yeah, we also picked up a 12-pack of Corona Extra ($11.02). I'm liking California, Muy Bueno!!
Jeez, did I say that? The Spanish influence is getting to me!

OK, it's 8:20PM (Pacific), and the Sox are up 4 - 2 in the top of the 8th inning. I'm going to sign off now so I can concentrate on the game (Chad is texting me the score, inning by inning).

Be sure to check the blog DAILY (even though I might say there may not be a post for a particular day), because, if I can get a connection, I will probably post.

Here's the link to today's web album:

http://picasaweb.google.com/cbenoitiii/TheTripDay45LAToFresnoCA?authkey=GZKhlQv7uGE#