A Weekend Drive, with a Swank Camp Recon Side Mission (Photo Heavy!)
 

On Saturday, we drove up the 5 to Sacramento for a friend's wedding.

Along the way, we stopped for a late breakfast at a roadside restaurant, called the Apricot Tree, located on the west side of the freeway, at the Panoche Road exit, north of the Coalinga turn-off.



Not only do they serve lunch, but lunch seems to be the decor theme there, as you can see by the pictures:



There are over 500 vintage lunchboxes, grouped by themes:

















I had this one as a kid:



I did not have this one. I'd love to know if any of you did:



And, to top off the ultimate geek lunchbox collection... Pigs in Space!



The thermos' were arranged in glass cases between the booths:







And, they also have a little gift shop in the front, with even more kitsch:



The food was average, but it's well worth the stop to see the collection. It was a pleasant surprise that made our stop very worthwhile.

Next stop..... Sacramento!

We arrived in Sacramento right around 3pm, and checked into the Best Western Sandman located on the delta. The rooms cost about $85 per night, but we totally scored it for free by trading in lots of BW club points. And, it's the best Best Western I've stayed. Sadly, our stay was very abrupt, because we were only there for a wedding, and then leaving for the drive home bright and early the next day.



It even had a private porch:



That evening, we drove over to the wedding, which took place on the Delta King:





And, the evening was beautiful, with some great scenery:



After the nuptials and reception, we trekked back to the hotel for a good night's sleep for Sunday's spontaneous adventure on the way back home...

omg!!!! I had the Lost In Space (picture 3) one in elementary school!!! it was my favorite of all time!!! I'll bet its still in my brothers garage.

or the rusted remnants of it at least. too freakin coooool:snap:

On Sunday, we met LibraryVixen for breakfast, and then headed off for a little side trip to Yosemite.

Once we entered the northern gate, we decided to do some recon for the perfect sites for a future Swank Camp.

We found the PERFECT ones at Crane Flat, which is about a 20-minute drive north of the main valley.

The sites shown are 502,504,506,508,and 510, as shown on this map:

http://www.recreation.gov/camping/ma...O&parkId=70930

As you can see from the pictures, there is ample parking, ample bear box space, flat ground, and tons of shade. We checked all the other sites at the campground, and they were on hills and pretty close together. This cluster of sites is perfect for a communal environment, located at the back of the main campground, with site 502 being a great spot for nightly campfires.









We checked a lot of other campgrounds, but they were very crowded with tiny sites.

So, hopefully, we'll find this helpful one day when planning another Swank Camp. :)

Next.... the sites of Yosemite!

So what is the theme of these three? :confused:

At this moment, I must interject with photos of a small furry woodland creature, just for Ponine. ;)







Ok, now on to Yosemite...

And, now, the breathtaking splendor that is Yosemite:





El Capitan:



Sentinel Rock:



Cathedral Rock (?):



LeConte Memorial Lodge:



Half Dome:

\

The side of El Capitan:



Views of the Valley:





Tunnel:



Vernal Falls, as viewed from Glacier Point:



Views from Glacier Point:





Half Dome from Glacier Point:



Overhanging Rock at Glacier Point:



Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias near the south entrance:







So, anyway, it was a very quick trip, but we're happy to have taken in the scenery, especially since neither of us has ever been. And now, we can't wait to go back and see even more of it. :)

I used to have the ET one! I recognize the Thermos! :)

Lotsa lovely trees at that campsite. So when are we going?

Chipmunks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've never seen a real live chipmunk!