California 2006

The long drive south

Boooorrrring day of driving today. We left San Francisco at 9am and made great progress south, but then hit Los Angeles. We sat on the so-called Interstate 5 for two-and-a-half hours before appearing on the south side of the city and making it back to San Clemente. But the smog was orange today, which apparently isn't that common.

The guide books are very scathing about driving through central California, as you have the sea, the mountains and then a huge, flat, agricultural plain. But the variety of crops is amazing, mostly trees with oranges, almonds, pistachios etc. and a few vines for figs and grapes. The entire area would be desert, if it wasn't for all the water brought over in aquaducts from the Colorado river. The whole rural economy is based on immigrant workers, so your choices on the radio are Spanish or Christian rock. We listened to the Spanish stuff.

Anyway, a weekend of eating and shopping awaits, punctuated by Sunday morning at a megachurch (congregation: 22,000). Hallelujah, brother!

Endless farmland, although we did see a crop duster (not chasing anyone)

The view outside Bakersfield

Our healthy lunch stop - all the major food groups

Newly set up nodding donkeys in the middle of farmland

Jim and Gen's fab house in San Clemente

Minnie, their cat. I had no other photos of cute fluffy animals for today.