Crossland Fresno-West

... I am looking forward to this experience in Thailand.

I have heard of many great things about Thailand and is looking forward to it. It will be exciting for me. I believe that this experinence abroad I would likely experience something I have never heard or seem before. This would be one of the cultural changes, I would likely benefits from Thailand.

Nach der hitzigen und kargen Wuestenlandschaft des Death Valley sind wir heute zurueck ins Baumland des Sequoia National Parks...Hallo Baumbart?!

Im Giant Forest gibt es unzaehlige Riesenbaeume, die wirklich jedes Auto winzig erscheinen lassen. Hier steht auch der groesste Baum der Welt (General Sherman :-)). Er ist zwar nicht der hoechste und auch nicht der breiteste, aber sein Gesamtstammvolumen (1500 m3) ist unuebertroffen.

... Fresno. Both times his parents have had us stay in their home and always made us feel very welcome. His Dad helped him put the finishing touches onto his Halloween decorations and the kids had a ball being scared by the lights, fog and scary music. Greg is really into Halloween and went all out this year.

Greg also gave us an insight into the Global Financial crisis in his part of the world. Many houses in his street have been foreclosed and all the 'toys’ like boats and jetskis ...

... we were being over cautious but we had to get out of that place, the guy could have been a total psyco for all we knew. I think we stick out like sore thumbs at times, and when we walk into a bar you can really sense heads turn in our direction. I guess as a foreigner you can become quite vulnerable if you aren't careful.

Anyway, yesterday at the beach was a wicked change, and the weather is so much cooler, and there is this ...

... rausgesucht und los gehts! Es gibt hier soooo viele tolle Sachen, ganz zu schweigen von den Schuhen...Wenns ginge, würde ich mir einen Vorrat für die nächsten 3 -5 Jahre zusammen kaufen!!! Da kann man schon ein Vermögen loswerden, wenn man es hat!!!

Sewy wollte nach den ersten beiden Geschäften schon unbedingt auf einen Kaffee und einen Käsekuchen gehen (warum nur?) - der perfekte Ort dafür "The Cheesecake Factory". Gesagt - getan ...

Sat 29th Aug

Picked up the hire car at 9am sat morning from the worst hire company, the car wasn't clean, the tyre pressure was dodgy and they hadn't even filled the car with 'gas', So we had to find the other hire company in SF.

Fulled up and ready to head out on our road trip, first stop would be Yosemite park some 160 miles west. Some beautiful views all the way ...

... and tramp after tramp, bumping into wino's and drug addicts. Not a nice place "my friends" (quoting McCain now). Actually most of the areas where quite scary and the public library was the second home for tramps. Ironically the computer lab in the library is packed all day long (requiring computers to be booked in advance) while there is ************e looking at books, etc. Its all tramps ...

Wow, I am on south side of Fresno and I needed to stop at Brooks Ranch restaurant eat something, as I forgot to eat when I left Selma. First, I need to thank those of you who have made donations. It was a pleasant surprise to look and see that few people have donated to keep me on the road. I suppose it is alright to promote myself a little and ask for a dollar, or so, from those of you that can afford to do so. I would also ...

... we had found the Magpie Coffeehouse. It was located just south of the corner or Main and Market(on Market). The food that was being offered hit the spot perfectly. We both had cups of hot chocolate, which washed down a couple of freshly baked cinnamon rolls. It was exactly what we were looking for. I have to give a big recommendation for the Magpie Coffeehouse. The coffeehouse is open from 6:30 a.m – 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. – ...

... vacation, we knew we wouldn't be going to Europe because we had been there for our honeymoon. Instead, my wife (Dianne) wanted to go to Boston. She had been to Boston a few years ago and had very fond memories of that visit. I mentioned going to Reading, Pennsylvania to see my friend, and former travel partner, Tom Marihart. Once I mentioned visiting Tom, she wanted to add a trip to visit a friend in Binghamton, New York. So, we planned a trip that would allow us to both visit ...