Central California

 When we got up this morning, a truck was parked just 8” away from us. Don’t know how he pulled through so close without hitting our mirrors. Fuel was $4.23'9 At Pilot.
As we cruise up southern California, we pass vast stretches of land far as the eye can see.We saw fruit trees in their perfect rows and for the first time, we saw trees covered with plastic or netting, to protect from frost or birds? There are beehives in all the orchards; this is where your nuts and fruit come from. The water aqueduct is always running up the state.
We topped our Diesel at Joe's Travel Plaza at Westley for $3.88'9 a gallon.  Best price on the trip.

We’re into Central California now and drive through Stockton, named for a famous Naval officer from the Mexican War.This city celebrates an Asparagus Festival every April including the Deep Fried Asparagus Championship. Stockton was the 1^st California inland seaport. It was connected to San Francisco by a channel 60 miles long and 37’ deep. It has 1000 miles of navigable waters.

Next is Sacramento. Capt. John Sutter, a Swiss emigrant, was awarded a 50,000 acre land grant from the Mexican government in 1839, on which he laid out the town of Sacramento in 1848, the same year gold was discovered and the Rush was on. When you read this you have to realize how much of the US the Mexicans had ruled and claimed. This is the State Capital, chosen in 1854, and subsequently fought off challenges from Berkley, San Jose and Montery

Sacramento is the 2^nd CA inland city with an inland port. It’s an important highway, rail and river port for this important agricultural area. A deep water channel was carved to San Francisco in 1963.

We stayed at Rolling Hills Casino in Corning overnight.