Got a last minute invite from Andy and Alana to get out of the city on the 4th and spend the weekend poolside at Andy's parents house instead. Waffled over brunch then watched the fog start rolling in and hopped in the car. So glad we did.
Lounged in the heat for a couple hours then threw some dinner on the grill. A couple more glasses of wine and we were ready for the pyrotechnics.
Such a bummer they won't let you buy bottle rockets anymore. Its just not as fun when they don't get off the ground, though it does allow for some very talented hurdling.
Saved this dude from last year
Walked around the neighborhood watching flashes go off in people's backyards. Reminded me of high school just cruising the quiet streets drinking beers in the warm air chatting with friends. Made all of us wonder if it was time to pool resources on a vacation home. So many awesome ranch style houses out there in the suburbs.
Back home for a little night swimming.
Pitched a tent in the yard and woke up to the sprinklers going off and pouring through the open windows.
Andy's parents were out of town and everything felt like summer vacation.
Decided to do a bit of thrifting and weirdly enough ended up at the same place where Dave bought a pair of waterskis when we were on the way to Calaveras. If you're ever out that way on the 120, stop by the Hope Chest, its filled with goodies.
Spent the rest of the afternoon playing wrinkle at a tiki bar called Minnie's.
Lunch at Sno-White on the way home. Old drive-ins have the best signs. Every once in a while the food's pretty good too.
Ever opened your window in a car wash? Go ahead and live a little.
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Armpit of California? We like to call it the elbow. Not sure if anyone's planning a vacation to Modesto, but there's no lack of things to do if you are, at least if you're into thrifting, drinking and fruit stands. Technically we were staying in the burbs, but between the stretches of subdivisions and random shopping centers lay miles of orchards brimming with peaches, almonds and a host of other tasty goods. The thing I liked the most was how many old buildings and burger stands still remained, giving the city that small-town American Graffiti feel I love. Gee, I wonder why (don't get excited, though, it was actually filmed in Petaluma even though its based on Lucas' growing up in Modesto). Another interesting tidbit: The city's slogan (which can be seen on the arch downtown) is officially "Water Wealth Contentment Health", though that was actually the second place winner in the 1911 deciding contest. The original winner? "Nobody's got Modesto's goat".