We are in Fresno. When I say “we”, I mean Karen and I — Erin is in Tollhouse. Perhaps I should back up.
The day started in Sacramento. We went down to the Fox and Goose Public House in downtown Sacramento for lunch (we were slow getting out of the hotel). Yummy. Had a Welsh Rarebit Omlette. After that, we visited Rumplestiltskin and the Tea Cozy. We then got on the road heading south on Route 99.
Route 99 has changed. What was once small towns with clearly marked business routes has turned into highway malls, housing developments, and no clear markings that take you through the center of town (except Lodi). ’tis a pity. We took a couple of business routes, but it was mostly just driving. I did finally see the palm and the pine (more detailed explanation here): this is a point south of Madera that symbolically marks the divide between Southern and Northern California. We got to Fresno about 4:30p. That wasn’t the ultimate destination, although it is where my wife and I are spending the night.
After Fresno, we went N on Route 168 all the way up to the community of Tollhouse. This is where my cousin is now living, and Erin is spending the night there with her other cousins. Renie was delighted to see her, and we were delighted to see Renie’s house in the boonies of the Sierra foothills (it really is in the boonies: the road there isn’t even paved with more than gravel!). We ate dinner at a local Mexican restaurant, after which we returned to Fresno, whlist Erin returned to Tollhouse.
Tomorrow is our last day (although I’ll be home Friday to catch up on stuff). After meeting Renie in Clovis and doing some shopping, we hope to get Basque Food in Bakersfield (and we may hit the outlet malls in Tulare). From there, it is S on Route 99 and I-5 back to the lovely San Fernando Valley and home.
