Last night we drove out of the Southern part of YNP into Fresno, CA. We had some basic housekeeping to take care of-oil change, bath for Loaf, laundry and re-stock groceries—so we headed into the city. Thankfully, Sonia’s phone has navigation and maps to locate a part of town that would lend itself to all of the above. N. Blackstone Ave—it’s like a long, straight Wenatchee or Montgomeryville-strip malls as far as the eyes can see. Oh boy, naturally we wanted to expedite this part of the day and get on our way to Sequoia Kings NP…or just anywhere out of the city. Sonia got dropped off at a Laundromat. Luckily, there was a health food store in the strip mall—she stocked up on bananas and a few other things. Jason went to get an expensive oil change---only b/c they didn’t talk prices until Loaf was airborne and his lifeblood (oil) was already draining out of him…well, I guess we have to pay the $60 frickin’ dollars. Who ever heard of such and expensive oil change?? We are in California. AND, they didn’t know where to fill the oil back into AND they didn’t have metric wrenches to check the transmission fluid level….what trusting hands, huh? So, the bill is paid. Jason stops to fill propane. This place charges based on a range. For instance, to fill 0-5 gallons it costs $14!! Jason opted out of that California scam…pheww! But how ridiculous is that….what if you only wanted one gallon filled for that 4th of July BBQ and oops we forgot to fill the propane tank…crap. And inconveniently enough, the only place open is this joint…so now ya gotta pay $14 for 1 gallon of propane. THAT’S MADDENING!! Anywho… Sonia got picked up at the Laundromat and off they went. Stopped for Mexican food at Robertitos in Fresno…not too bad or not too good. The hard shell tacos were good.
WE drove thru countryside that one would expect to see sheep grazing on. Lush, green rolling hills with big boulders dotting the landscape, small streams in the gullies…what we both think Ireland would look like. It was lovely. We drove across 180 and up into the foothills of the Sierras. It was the thickest fog we’ve been in so far. You could barely see, 8 ft in front of you…and Loaf’s headlights don’t shine much past that anyway. We could get by using highbeams on highways without pissing anyone else off!! We stopped for some local maps at Hume Lake Ranger District and headed up and up…eventually breaking out above the fog layer in the valley below. We pull off the side of the road in this little pull-out…and it’s a total surprise. Frogs are ribbetting so loud in this decent sized mud puddle. It’s a dirt-biking area with big jumps, rocks and sand bars! A hidden gem just off the road…what a treat. We are so lucky. It was a gorgeous night. Almost a full moon, stars against a midnight blue sky, cool CA night air—temps around 45 degrees, not too bad. We drank a Mirror Pond Ale and took in the night. We settled in as the moonlight shined onto our faces as we fell happily asleep. Happy Honeymoon.
More pics next post. |
| nice free camp along I-180 above Fresno (in the clouds) |
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