tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9846729476700564052024-03-12T16:53:26.685-07:00Central Valley PhotosPhoto Journal of the California San Joaquin ValleyTracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04831265725212566551noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984672947670056405.post-50056578634961522622011-10-07T15:39:00.000-07:002011-10-07T15:39:15.834-07:00As Summer Ends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1XvM5OBiGP8AFaD6bw_FxW4qLhjgBokJhwWTGj4KiMclNo6rFpO1Xa0tUN6WG255_b4NtGGT7o0e7FlQnqD-jE5IVTsHf_HwieERzdeCs87xhqsHSOYCsYi1TbDiUb57k7Gn6npWr_Q/s1600/DSC_0379-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1XvM5OBiGP8AFaD6bw_FxW4qLhjgBokJhwWTGj4KiMclNo6rFpO1Xa0tUN6WG255_b4NtGGT7o0e7FlQnqD-jE5IVTsHf_HwieERzdeCs87xhqsHSOYCsYi1TbDiUb57k7Gn6npWr_Q/s640/DSC_0379-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
When the Central Valley does beautiful weather, it goes big. The last couple days have been nearly frigid by valley standards and there was even a hint of fog on the ground this morning. However, by afternoon, the sun was shining, the sky was a glorious blue, and fluffy clouds floated above. I love these days.<br />
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I stopped in a local vineyard to capture today's photo. The fruit had been stripped and the raisins, recently carried away. The few remaining valley vineyards that have fruit are being harvested as I write. Very soon, the vines above will drop their leaves and once again await the renewal of Spring. As is typical for me, I'm not quite ready to give up the Summer, but I'm anxiously waiting the colors of Fall.Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04831265725212566551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984672947670056405.post-68990295112909155952011-09-09T12:35:00.000-07:002011-09-09T12:54:09.109-07:00The Mountains I Seek<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I took a little drive today. I was looking for the lovely
giants above. Although we sometimes forget, there is a beautiful mountain
range that overlooks the Central Valley. Most of the summer it is hidden
behind a wall of haze that arrives each year with the heat. Although we have limited mountain viewing
days in the valley, air quality awareness has definitely increased the number
of hazeless <I know…I know ;) word
creation by Tracy.> days.</div>
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Anyway, I meandered through the haze today and found the
little mountains that provide a gateway to the beautiful Sequoia National
Forrest that lies beyond. Very soon, we will have rain to clear the haze
for a short while and I'm looking forward to viewing those lovelies in all
their glory.</div>
Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04831265725212566551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984672947670056405.post-72663862516563945072011-08-24T16:34:00.000-07:002011-08-24T16:35:19.657-07:00The Fresno Met – What Should Have Been<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iF5WtwKYoE4/TlWFaFsC_kI/AAAAAAAAAPg/SiSE6kEXjPU/s1600/DSC_0010-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iF5WtwKYoE4/TlWFaFsC_kI/AAAAAAAAAPg/SiSE6kEXjPU/s640/DSC_0010-2.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">As someone who loves Fresno, I find it hard to write about the shortcomings of our great city. There are a few occasions however, where I cannot help myself. One of those times would be the moment I pass the building above, the one that should house a recently renovated Fresno Metropolitan Museum. It’s at that time I become, what I call, momentarily disenchanted.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">You see, I remember sitting with the staff of both the <a href="http://www.fresnoartmuseum.org/">Fresno Art Museum</a> and the Fresno Metropolitan Museum when the Met had just begun planing their renovation. It was nearly eight years ago, during a collaborative exhibition involving three local museums, FAM, Fresno Met, and <a href="http://www.arteamericas.org/">Arte Américas</a>. Our community was thriving at the time, and as such, the art community was experiencing better times.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal">After months and eventually, years, of effort involved in completing the ambitious renovation – one plagued with delays and setbacks that often accompany the transformation of a <a href="http://historicfresno.org/nrhp/fresbee.htm">historic building</a>, a shiny new museum emerged. I'd love to see how it all turned out, but there it sits, a vacant shell in downtown Fresno. I won’t go into the politics surrounding the demise of the Met. Many people have their own opinion about what went wrong, but the fact remains, it is the Central Valley’s loss.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I can only say, each time I pass this building, I shake my head in mild frustration. Very soon, I imagine a new name will cover this building and we can all get back to forgetting the fact that Fresno was once home to a thriving Metropolitan Museum. </div>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04831265725212566551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984672947670056405.post-83784992104615283832011-06-14T08:21:00.000-07:002011-06-14T08:21:49.269-07:00Spring May Have Finally Sprung<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFfmlhHD6IJSnBqjQ9FOr1mQ7ykbVOlWyfOm4brgNN1ma8jEr_6k_pQBf6PyIYSQ1GkPPielIOIPwpCKtZA1F8-6dLvXXggnKn7rHTYB3BfM96AFjlPP0UidVsKFQcSeKjer774OK5y0/s1600/DSC_0118-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFfmlhHD6IJSnBqjQ9FOr1mQ7ykbVOlWyfOm4brgNN1ma8jEr_6k_pQBf6PyIYSQ1GkPPielIOIPwpCKtZA1F8-6dLvXXggnKn7rHTYB3BfM96AFjlPP0UidVsKFQcSeKjer774OK5y0/s640/DSC_0118-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Spring has finally arrived in the Central Valley (I think) and two Mourning Doves chose the herb garden on my patio as their choice nesting location this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They picked the sage, which I say means they have great herbal taste. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have faithfully sat upon the nest for more than a week but yesterday evening they left it abandoned for a bit and I took an opportunity to carefully snap a picture of the two nestled eggs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me + nature = happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><-- Math was my best subject in school, obviously. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll be back later this week with an update on fruit growing in the valley; it’s definitely been a strange growing year due to the weather changes here and throughout the US.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Enjoy each day! </div>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04831265725212566551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984672947670056405.post-2493729975943514212011-01-19T19:49:00.000-08:002011-01-19T19:49:32.591-08:00Central Valley Gloom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnBhHvqG0OyIygStlD11GNTSQo3M0wQ2yXe6fhW3ZV5Qm0u1C7n45d_vafnpEcMZzSViQKwHj0iGe_40fac5fnMUcqc2Wq71aB63-7t1IRVD2ghYN5zFvi0YqLO13MQ3Fnh2JCmrk_0Y/s1600/DSC_0196-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnBhHvqG0OyIygStlD11GNTSQo3M0wQ2yXe6fhW3ZV5Qm0u1C7n45d_vafnpEcMZzSViQKwHj0iGe_40fac5fnMUcqc2Wq71aB63-7t1IRVD2ghYN5zFvi0YqLO13MQ3Fnh2JCmrk_0Y/s640/DSC_0196-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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I can unequivocally say this has not been my favorite Central Valley winter. There have been so many gloomy days that I've lost count. It began with unusually high percentages of rain and now it's gray all day long. I've started dreaming that I moved to Oregon, but no, I'm still a California Girl - minus the sun. I stepped outside today to take a photo of hope. Hope in the form of a fig tree bud that will bring forth new growth this spring. I must say, I really cannot wait.Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04831265725212566551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984672947670056405.post-55788195706656207102011-01-05T18:15:00.000-08:002011-01-05T18:15:13.952-08:00It's Raining Oranges<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98cuQzWP8qNTp7edB3sfr4lnFjuzoT2kNTgabQbSq65n7fup1j_xcg8Ur02TcJ1ZDSjNOIGR4NYf49BYxhQDlHp_t13fXGYwcG6oE_h-FzFjuAvd6pU7uR9E3EZayp5UXOfRSnYNTb1k/s1600/DSC_0152-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98cuQzWP8qNTp7edB3sfr4lnFjuzoT2kNTgabQbSq65n7fup1j_xcg8Ur02TcJ1ZDSjNOIGR4NYf49BYxhQDlHp_t13fXGYwcG6oE_h-FzFjuAvd6pU7uR9E3EZayp5UXOfRSnYNTb1k/s640/DSC_0152-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">Throughout the Central Valley, orange trees are colored with ready-to-pick fruit and after nine months of waiting, this California native is a happy girl.<span> </span>There is nothing like a glass of orange juice, fresh from the tree, so I am always a bit giddy to see this fruit come into season.<span> </span>Each year, the risk of freezing conditions in the Central Valley put oranges at risk of frost damage.<span> </span>Fortunately, due to a strange winter season in which water has actually fallen from the sky (or rain if you prefer), frost has been minimal.<span> </span>This is great news for orange lovers near and far.<span> </span>Cheers!<span> </span></div>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04831265725212566551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984672947670056405.post-52004616970999650592011-01-03T15:11:00.000-08:002011-01-03T15:11:54.346-08:00Huntington Boulevard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNu6okZ_br-xKv6enDLmqjYL15KzFcL9bpq0wMjaqxGEG4sbk2NbIw-FUtIKnbf436MdL90iXMDbfnB8ONgOuS1kSJy9ViatxcSz9eYC6_UeHo4TvQFb6_oFt8o3joqyXJl9u_RIZSIlI/s1600/DSC_0022-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNu6okZ_br-xKv6enDLmqjYL15KzFcL9bpq0wMjaqxGEG4sbk2NbIw-FUtIKnbf436MdL90iXMDbfnB8ONgOuS1kSJy9ViatxcSz9eYC6_UeHo4TvQFb6_oFt8o3joqyXJl9u_RIZSIlI/s640/DSC_0022-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">Huntington Boulevard, located in Fresno, California has a rich history in the valley.<span> </span>In the early 1900’s, Albert GravesWishon and Henry E. Huntington developed a plan to use electricity, a newly available luxury available to homeowners, and streetcars to enhance the lifestyle of Fresno’s prominent residents.<span> </span>Henry E. Huntington, a streetcar tycoon, developed the boulevard with wide streets that allowed for streetcar travel to several destinations in downtown Fresno.<span> </span>Today, the beautiful tree-lined boulevard is meticulously maintained and still carries the original air of regality. </div>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04831265725212566551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984672947670056405.post-39253750553276835872010-12-28T15:44:00.000-08:002010-12-28T16:15:21.145-08:00Scout Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkUrqHrSlx65JiuJcWnFB9M-qLlKeE2pXuPpEyl0jYXXGAjpMc9uYHc-8Oon6BD4Qc7OGJeD-IWMzqdhbMn6dNcqlgyHtMnfqjLgL1AftnS6auyJzHGnhqF5eWHLhrRR5DN5tf270Pp4/s1600/DSC_0042-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkUrqHrSlx65JiuJcWnFB9M-qLlKeE2pXuPpEyl0jYXXGAjpMc9uYHc-8Oon6BD4Qc7OGJeD-IWMzqdhbMn6dNcqlgyHtMnfqjLgL1AftnS6auyJzHGnhqF5eWHLhrRR5DN5tf270Pp4/s640/DSC_0042-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="http://www.scoutisland.org/">Scout Island</a> is located in Fresno, California and serves as an educational center for children of the central valley. Schools bring bus loads of children each week to experience hands on learning about the life-giving San Joaquin River that runs through the island on its trip through the valley. Fun and interactive activities allow children to learn as they play. Children use nets to capture river tadpoles and other aquatic life then view their catch under a magnifying microscopes, go on nature hikes to search out animal tracks, and end with a nature focused scavenger hunt. Scout Island makes nature education fun for the young and young at heart.Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04831265725212566551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984672947670056405.post-55940491664370304142010-10-09T18:21:00.000-07:002010-10-13T18:29:45.626-07:00Central Valley Sunset<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsaBmY37vCNG5co3v19aOZsFzUHB0h9UDUeOO58ORuy4bwWsYDAtvxfqMBnJve-KoVXD0czPfwfgw9qZzSwxgUYNV2h2VAn4BD8u3J1t7app2PLBUJAmQtqGv5PCF7hIKTO7BQ9WyLdN4/s1600/DSC_0144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsaBmY37vCNG5co3v19aOZsFzUHB0h9UDUeOO58ORuy4bwWsYDAtvxfqMBnJve-KoVXD0czPfwfgw9qZzSwxgUYNV2h2VAn4BD8u3J1t7app2PLBUJAmQtqGv5PCF7hIKTO7BQ9WyLdN4/s640/DSC_0144.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
This glorious sunset last Sunday evening brought the most fantastic thunderstorm the Central Valley has seen in many years. The downpour that followed threatened the raisin drying I recently wrote about. Fortunately, the storm was late in the drying season and the majority of the 2010 crop suffered little to no damage.Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04831265725212566551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984672947670056405.post-75999491150026198472010-09-25T12:13:00.000-07:002010-10-13T18:30:25.558-07:00California Raisins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBPQEZqKgZV-vy96xqcbnreWOA9r2PAxm1L6eLF_Y49IMikm7DIk2BdS0sIQQcbCBVyMZv08pRCeipkEv0R3e_PKSwCsSWhxHqbnBeO-0Khbpr_1Gj5ImTqdZ3hVILURlUgFby_WwSIM/s1600/DSC_0057-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBPQEZqKgZV-vy96xqcbnreWOA9r2PAxm1L6eLF_Y49IMikm7DIk2BdS0sIQQcbCBVyMZv08pRCeipkEv0R3e_PKSwCsSWhxHqbnBeO-0Khbpr_1Gj5ImTqdZ3hVILURlUgFby_WwSIM/s640/DSC_0057-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">August ushers in grape harvesting season in the Central Valley. It is the time of year when crews harvest grapes and lay them on paper trays in the sunshine. Three weeks of consistent sunshine work their magic, resulting in the California Raisin.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Fresno, California currently produces half the world’s raisins. The consistent summer temperatures provide the ideal drying conditions necessary to produce the sun-dried fruit.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In 1872, California Scottish immigrant William Thompson imported the Sultanina seedless grape from a cutting he imported from Rochester, NY. The hearty variety thrived in the hot California summers. In 1875, unaware of the grape’s formal name, Thompson dubbed them Thompson’s seedless grapes.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Today, 95% of California raisins are produced from Thompson’s seedless grapes. </div>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04831265725212566551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984672947670056405.post-71116467860269182232010-09-22T15:21:00.000-07:002010-10-13T18:30:56.812-07:00Fresno City College <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRrV0Rr6niZk0kohMF5hXARaZEIjV-WauBx72nM9z5N6vTCS0RqXWS3d1TVpD5D-bhxrf16Ez3hRVu1IVL-ay3uAmByUn0qJYXMrZ-K8_8AWx1Be9CxFJl_rhXJPx_mmdwxNUcdkBesk/s640/DSC_0038-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresno City College Library</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<a href="http://www.fresnocitycollege.edu/index.aspx?page=1">Fresno City College</a>, founded by Charles L. McLane in 1910, is currently celebrating 100 years in education. The bustling campus, serving over 25,000 students each semester, remains a vital link to higher education in the Central Valley.<br />
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In May of 1910, the campus began as Fresno Junior College with a mere twenty students in attendance. At the time of its inception, the college was located on the Fresno High School campus and intended as an extension of the high school.<br />
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In 1958, Fresno Junior College became Fresno City College and relocated to the current 1101 E. University Avenue location in 1959.<br />
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The California Community College system currently enrolls 1.5 million students on 109 campuses and continues Mr. McLane’s legacy of higher education for the Central Valley and beyond.Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04831265725212566551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984672947670056405.post-64483372960073035052010-09-03T09:19:00.000-07:002010-10-13T18:33:17.750-07:00Lake Kaweah<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PG00UYGMHMniDmC9alrHLCFbHFfihV0bQ2rQhvtcv4wlrbHP00pBdFBwgUzslpeQJFokQD2_lY_vbUsIAonudbknvosr_bD9_uCfStE6zIw0iUbhXtyX8_RFEfQYvvZekHfHoEBD9fk/s1600/Lake+Kaweah.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PG00UYGMHMniDmC9alrHLCFbHFfihV0bQ2rQhvtcv4wlrbHP00pBdFBwgUzslpeQJFokQD2_lY_vbUsIAonudbknvosr_bD9_uCfStE6zIw0iUbhXtyX8_RFEfQYvvZekHfHoEBD9fk/s640/Lake+Kaweah.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Kaweah, Three Rivers, California</td></tr>
</tbody></table>North East of Lemon Cove, California, you’ll find Lake Kaweah. The lake was created after the completion of Terminus Dam in 1962 and is visited by countless families looking for a place to cool off during the sweltering Central Valley summers.<br />
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The Terminus is one of many Dam’s along the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range that provide flood control and much needed irrigation water for the agriculturally rich San Joaquin Valley.Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04831265725212566551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984672947670056405.post-23372653241324695912010-09-02T14:30:00.000-07:002010-10-13T18:33:35.249-07:00Childhood Memories and Screaming<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-K3oRzgPW-xwvzTMqS5DX8cqLBwIM-WBQfCCzh52XR40TWVN8GTR42rtJLhTO3zDzmaK0t2CAeqyZwHD5IsS_aHs9VBbPEr3rw2CKzGP2IjyrvoprLvwxMUDFEHi1lcTbc0Adizv-GRQ/s1600/Rotary+Playland2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-K3oRzgPW-xwvzTMqS5DX8cqLBwIM-WBQfCCzh52XR40TWVN8GTR42rtJLhTO3zDzmaK0t2CAeqyZwHD5IsS_aHs9VBbPEr3rw2CKzGP2IjyrvoprLvwxMUDFEHi1lcTbc0Adizv-GRQ/s640/Rotary+Playland2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ferris Wheel at Rotary Playland and Storyland, Fresno, California</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In 1955, Rotary Playland and Storyland opened two parks on the grounds of Roeding Park located in Fresno, California. The parks were adjacent to one another and themed after cherished Mother Goose nursery rhymes. Since then, the park has provided endless hours entertainment for children and adults alike.<br />
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Storyland remains the peaceful park and as you enter its gates through larger than life storybooks, Nursery Rhymes are brought to life with magical keys and a little imagination. Playland is pure fun and features rides for all ages, including the mammoth Ferris Wheel featured above.<br />
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Last year, <a href="http://storylandplayland.com/">Rotary Playland and Storyland</a> completed their three-year renovation campaign and the community has embraced the park once again. Adults who enjoyed the park as children now bring their own children and it is exciting to see the parks bustle with excitement once again.<br />
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Of course, when you get near the mammoth wheel above, you have screaming too. On the other hand, perhaps that was just me.Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04831265725212566551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984672947670056405.post-4385405492553211242010-09-01T10:35:00.000-07:002010-10-13T18:33:49.188-07:00Little Sweden<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim473vDHDix_n-ALpdqD4pG5nzDoo0waJRRakWTdEmxyhteWbr7wdOjXZa4wez2Uu3J7CP-E25lNVBccCWyH5Yv6CPBKoOzGv3adH8h8ycoG2xlx__aEo6r7Xopo0t6VFDcJZEOklZeSs/s1600/KingsburgDala.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim473vDHDix_n-ALpdqD4pG5nzDoo0waJRRakWTdEmxyhteWbr7wdOjXZa4wez2Uu3J7CP-E25lNVBccCWyH5Yv6CPBKoOzGv3adH8h8ycoG2xlx__aEo6r7Xopo0t6VFDcJZEOklZeSs/s640/KingsburgDala.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dala Horse, Downtown Kingsburg, California</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Located twenty minutes south of Fresno, you will find the beautiful city of Kingsburg, California. Meticulously maintained and charmingly quaint, the Swedish Village is a hidden gem in the heart of the Central Valley.<br />
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Great pride is taken in preserving the rich Swedish ancestry of the town's founders and you'll find touches of Sweden hidden throughout the City. <br />
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The Dala Horse, one of these touches, can be found nearly everywhere you look and is just one of the distinctive qualities that make Kingsburg a very special place to visit.Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04831265725212566551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984672947670056405.post-55595512409000072552010-08-31T14:39:00.000-07:002010-10-13T18:34:01.325-07:00Valley Figs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lrS9eeSx-pPA-nH4XEWzkcz97VngTQOlbhAOhRTJF6zmJywYRZ1BGjMoKrMkVJ6zTWaWjXSRcZr94LzehDq44gsiP3RTqocpLM1nI7q0WQpyszb8TEieRkk5n0s0mtwad77jeveUW8I/s1600/ValleyFigs2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lrS9eeSx-pPA-nH4XEWzkcz97VngTQOlbhAOhRTJF6zmJywYRZ1BGjMoKrMkVJ6zTWaWjXSRcZr94LzehDq44gsiP3RTqocpLM1nI7q0WQpyszb8TEieRkk5n0s0mtwad77jeveUW8I/s640/ValleyFigs2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter's Honey Figs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The rich, fertile soil of the San Joaquin is responsible for producing nearly half of the world's food supply.<br />
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In 1910, a gentleman by the name of J.C. Forkner began planting fig trees in Fresno, California. Because the valley was covered in a nearly impenetrable hardpan soil, Forkner required dynamite to dig the holes necessary to plant 600,000 fig trees on his 12,000 acres of land. Blasting through the hardpan allowed the trees an opportunity to build root systems and reach the soft soil below. The area that Forkner farmed is still known today as Fig Garden.Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04831265725212566551noreply@blogger.com0