ROAD TRIP!!

Tuesday morning I hand washed the Sienna, buffed out the ugly car door dings that Toyota haters gave us, and took care of some paint touch-up from flying road gravel.  I removed all the non-essential items stored inside the van and cleaned the floor. A clean car is a mean car. This should increase fuel mileage, as well.

Afterwards, I installed the upstairs cargo deck and filled it with much of our camping gear. I bought an 18" Queen size air mattress to go inside our oversized Cabin Tent. It's one of those easy-to-assemble tents that boasts a one-minute setup with two people. And that's about what it takes! Where's my "that-was-easy" button?

Today is Wednesday the 11th. We drove away about 0620 to go pick up our Great-Granddaughter a couple of miles away. She was ready to go. We finished loading up her favorite things, buckled her in behind the driver's seat and headed South. Today's destination will be some place in California, near Sacramento where we will spend our first night.

Our first necessary stop was at IHOP where we enjoyed a hearty breakfast of delicious pancakes. My banana cream pancakes, topped with bananas, strawberries and whipped cream supplemented my bacon and eggs. Melody Rose had whipped cream and chocolate chips on hers.

Back on the road, we drove a while; stopping a couple of times to let the little Rose run off some energy, apparently caused in part by whipped cream. It could have been the chocolate, I suppose. Her unsuccessful attempts at catching Sea Gulls begging for food at a rest stop in Weed, California, was instrumental in helping to burn up most of that energy! The Gulls were only interested in the food. Had they gotten hold of one of those little Cutie Oranges, I'm sure they would have spit it out and started a fight!

On the road again, we headed for a lunch spot. The big place implanted on our minds was none other than the infamous IN AND OUT BURGERS. The food was delicious! In and Out is a REAL hamburger joint. They don't have no stinkin' tacos, chicken or shrimp! They have hamburgers with, or without, cheese. They not only COOK their own fries, but they CUT their own fries! Deb said the only part they DON'T do is GROW their own fries!

Tonight, about 475 miles later, we are hold up in a Best Western in Corning, CA. Deb and little Rose headed for the swimming pool while I went downtown to get my two Honey's some white, and fried rice.

Tomorrow morning after breakfast, we are heading to the Jelly Belly Factory to surprise out little girl before we drive to Yosemite National Park.

Life is good!