On the road again!  We had a delicious breakfast with Uncle Albert and Jane at Village Corner on our way out of Carmel. What a great time we had for the week we were there. The location, the views, the hospitality, the food and being with family was all wonderful! Thanks to dad's baby brother and his wife for showing us such a great time!  I think we even brought Jane some luck as she won $4 at bridge!
We took off to the east toward Salinas going through San Juan Bautista, Los Banos and Chowchilla before turning south.  When we reached Madera, about 20 miles north of Fresno, I began calling to attempt to find someplace for the night. Who knew that the Future Farmers of America (FFA) would have a Convention in Fresno this weekend?  I made nearly 20 calls to places in Madera, Fresno, Clovis and Visalia before finding handicap accessible accommodations at a Days Inn in Fresno for $260 for the night. Really? $260 at a noisy Days Inn with no water pressure. Oh well, the bed is a bed with clean sheets and dad should sleep well because he had a pretty bad night last night and he's tired...so am I.
The drive wasn't a lot of miles or time; but much of it was a two-lane state highway through farming country.  It was actually quite beautiful and we saw many different crops including strawberries, mandarin and other oranges, kale, almonds, grapes, lettuce and some crops we couldn't identify.

We went to 5:00 Mass at St. Paul, directly across the street from the Fresno State Bulldog football stadium and then had a small, simple dinner at IHop.  Our plan tomorrow is to go east to Southern Yosemite and/or Sequoia National park(s).  Don't know where we'll end up or how far into the parks we can get into, but it should be an adventurous day! The weather certainly warmed up as we came inland from the ocean, but Fresno has a warm breeze tonight and is in the high 70's.

One final word about my aunt and uncle.  Uncle Albert began needle pointing over 40 years ago and both is and Jane's work is stunning! They have made many, many rugs, pillows and wall hangings over the years!  Although I don't have any, there are many I would love! Hint, hint, Uncle Albert, you promised to put me in your will. I'll take what your kids don't want, remember? All kidding aside, their work is gorgeous.