Stink, Stank, Stunk!

Hello Friends!!

Last weekend was such a blast.  My Uncle decided to come and visit me.  So he drove 9 hours from Palm Springs (on a Friday no less) to come up to visit!  He arrived around 6:30 and we went to BJ's.  He had never been to one because apparently these don't exist in the desert.  For Shame!  It's a great establishment with great food!  OMG!  The amount of food that the give you is ridiculous, but we had a good time.  I haven't hung out with him like ever!  So it was great to catch up.  We are so much a like it's almost creepy. He rented a care to come up here and they gave him a land yacht.

His 1st rental, a Crown Victoria

As soon as he made it up here he traded it in for something a little small, dingy size, that was alittle more friendly on gas.  it had a whopping 72 mile on it.  Don't worry, we will happily put the "break in" mileage on it.

A Nissan Versa. Who's that creepy guy hiding behind the car?

We didn't have a definable schedule, all I knew is that I wanted to visit the Garlic Festival in Gilroy.  So Saturday morning we went out to breakfast at Mimi's (love this place) to decide over yummy omelets and muffin's.  He asked me if I had ever been to Old Town Sacramento, which I hadn't.  So that was our destination for the day!

We now enter the cortex to the past

A Map of Old Town

So I don't get lost

I would love to do the underground tour. Next time!

It was so neat walking around.  They restored all the old store fronts, but renovated the inside of the buildings.  We went into this famous saloon in Old Town Sac, Fanny Ann's.  It was pretty cool.  They had all these old advertisement signs all over the wall. And instead of it being a bar that expanded out, it was like 3 stories high.  Each floor was a little different,

And old Buggy's too!

This pub is not that much older then me!!  Wow that's old!

That's an interesting use for an old gas pump.

Bathrooms. I think this was the 90's floor.

The Courting Candle

In olden days...days of yore

When suitors came to call

If Papa liked the boy

He'd fix the candle tall

But if he didn't like the lad

He'd turn it way down low

For when it burned to the metal

The suitor had to go!

I may not know much about Architecture, but I certainly appreciate it!

Climbing this was not fun, but looking down was worth it!

I love old staircases!

We went to the old Sacramento school house

I'd make a good school Marm...

On our was out of Old Sac we were caught in the parade of the Red Hat Society.  My Uncle said this is what I get to look forward to when I'm old!  Joy!!

After this we drove to my Uncles (and my mom's) childhood home in Citrus Height's

They were nice enough to let us in.  It blew my Uncle away!

One of the things that my Uncle and I have in common is that we both love old cemeteries.  People thing it's a little creepy or disturbing, but for some reason I love them.  One friend of mine described it as "Disneyland for Adult's."    I think one of the reasons I like them is the "oldness" of the tombstones.  Also, it kind of puts life into perspective.  Looking at the dates that these people lives.  Some of them dies so young.  Many of them children.  I think about the lives that these people lived and how the world was so different back then.  And, I thank God that this life is not all there is! Nothing say's love then a trip to the cemetery!

Thus ends out Saturday

Sunday we set out to Gilroy.   It was a good thing I was the navigator because, like my mother, he has a bad sense or direction.  I guess it runs in the family, but it skipped me!  Time to get stinky!  As we drove into town, the garlic permeated the air!  It was beautiful! I LOVE garlic!  At least I know there are no Vampire in Gilroy!  Sorry Edward! LOL

My souvenir of the stinky day!

Now I know how garlic grows!

It was quite an event!

This is what I came to try!

One more this to cross off my bucket list!

It was surprisingly good.  I made my Uncle try it!

My Uncle and I enjoying Gilroy at it's finest!

I think there was a whole bulb of garlic in theses fries!  

 It was quite pungent! I've never felt the "garlic burn" before!

I had garlic breath for 2 days!

Couldn't eat all the garlic!

They were handing these out! 

The one thing I really wanted to buy.  Cant wait to cook with it!

We had a grand ol' stinky time at the Garlic Festival, but after 4 hours were were garlic'd out, so we drove home.  The only thing about big festivals is the traffic.  Probably the reason I don't go to any that often!

After 3 hours of stop and go, we finally made it home around 7.  It was an exhausting, yet fun day.  My Uncle stayed till Wednesday Morning.  It was great to have company, being that I'm so far removed from everyone.  

An Update!!  

I'm on the move again.  My contract here in Manteca is being cut short due to the low census.  So I am being moved down about an hour or so to Atwater.  A little po-dunk town where I think there are more livestock then people.  But it will be a great experience because it's a Rehabilitation Hospital and not just another SNF.  It's stepping way out of my comfort zone and it's something new, so I'm a little nervous  So if you all would keep me in prayer for my next God adventure I would appreciate it.  Love you all and thanks for keeping up with me.  Even though I have no idea who reads this blog because no one ever leaves comments, I know that you all are praying for me and I feel them.  I miss you all so much and know that I am praying for you too!

Until next time...

L