Today we drove from Pleasanton to Fresno.  As usual we took a wrong turn, and this time it was not my fault  -YAY.  On the plus side it was not nearly as scary as that time in Jasper, or when we somehow got off the interstate in Oregon and had to try to turn a U turn on a dirt road in a 34 foot motorhome with car attached.  It all turned out fine and we saw a lot of beautiful scenery on the way. The weather is pretty chilly today and will be close to freezing tonight!
Take a look at what we saw on the way today:

It was mostly rolling hills like this for the 150 MILES that we drove today.  There was a lot of ranch land and cattle.
We also saw a lot of fruit trees.  I got my first glimpse of a citrus orchard which was very exciting.  We saw a lot of olives, nuts (especially almond) and grapes.  Fresno and the surrounding area produce about 60 percent of the world’s raisins and about 90 percent of the raisins sold on the U.S. market.

The Sun-Maid girl trademark was inspired by a real person–Lorraine Collett Petersen, who in 1915 lived in the Fresno, California area where the company began its operations. Life then was simpler, less hectic—and red sunbonnets were the fashion of the day

Look how this orchard is planted right up the side of this hill. This was a young orchard and very pretty.

 We got up close and personal to an olive tree.  The tree had every stage of olive on it from green to red to black.

I also saw an egret on two different occasions - apparently one can't get their wits about them and get the camera ready when they are hyperventilating so you will have to take my word for it.  They are so elegant and graceful looking and so white!  There was an area set aside as a bird area so there was water in the field.  Other wise there is no water really anywhere unless they have it channelled to go there.  Very different from what we are used to.  All water is basically dammed and contained and put where they want it, whereas mostly the water in Saskatchewan is where mother nature put it.

Before we left Pleasanton we took a lazy day and went out for lunch to the Cheesecake Factory and did a little shopping so we can send a little something on to Kylie - shhh - don't tell.  I cannot wait to go back there! It is a chain restaurant.   http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/

It has a huge menu - over 200 items.  As we have been eating out a lot I decided beforehand that at least I had to order a somewhat healthy, low fat lunch.  They have a whole menu called  SkinniLicious.  The items are put in categories of 200 calories, under 590 that kind of idea.
I had the best veggie burger I have ever had.  It was made of beets, brown rice, onion, black beans and farro.

 This was Don's choice, mushroom burger which he said was excellent.

And of course they have cheesecake. The most amazing variety of cheesecakes I have ever seen.  So wanted a piece but that would have defeated the whole idea of my healthier choice for lunch. Maybe next time.