Jan 10 - 12 -

Dean, in his volunteer role, is playing the banjo & marching (at the same time!) on Sat. in a DixieLand Band, leading a parade to honor Helen Hill, a humanitarian film maker that once lived in Halifax & was fatally shot in her home in New Orleans recently. See,

http://www.cbc.ca/cp/Atlantic/070105/t010506A.html for more info, such a sad happening.

We drove out of LA on Wed., inland thru the valley, all agricultural, fields of grapevines as far as the eye can see. The land is as flat as the prairies once out of the rolling hills of LA. We chose the slowest traffic time 11:00 to leave town & it was fine, but still busy for us. Stopped in Bakersfield for the night, cause we came to a Campers World store that we had been looking for. Thought it was time to experience a night at a Walmart! Parked near a few other motorhomes & went in to Walmart to pick up a few things, just to get rid of the guilt, ha! All was fine, a little noisier traffic than normal, but we were OK.

Thurs we drove to Madera & visited the Fricklin Vineyard & tasting room. They specialize in port. Had a lovely tasting hour & loved their Chocolate Port, blueberry flavored raisins & sage cheddar cheese, yum.............. Stopped for the night at French Camp RV Park near Stockton, the park is surrounded by a golf course. Nice large lots, well spaced.

Gerry golfed today, just 9 holes as it was rather a cool wind & it will be close to freezing tonight. Visited another Vineyard today, walking distance away. Delicato Winery, they have a burgundy for 2.99!! Guess what we had for dinner, not bad either, we are so classy, ha! The picture above is the view along the drive here, another drive by "shoot".