We left Patterson under weepy skies. Seems it never rains in Southern California came to mind. After the years of drought and water restrictions, any rain is quite welcome here.
It didn't last very long at all, probably for a mile or two, and it was over. We continued driving under peek-a-boo clouds and sunshine for the rest of the way.
Close to Santa Nella, we pulled into the TA to fill up. This 100-gallon tank can go several days before replenishing.
Every available piece of land in this valley is used to produce food in some form: vineyards, fruit orchards, citrus groves, nut trees, cows and sheep. It makes me think about where a lot of the produce I buy at home is grown.
The aqueducts, farmers' water troughs, looked full and flowing, a blue ribbon beside the highway.Water continues to be a contentious issue, and there were several new billboards asking: Is growing food wasting water?
We turned west on to Route 41 to Paso Robles, then route 46 and finally route 101, El Camino Real with its mission bells. We left the flat straight highway through the valley and drove among soft velvety hills of the coastal range.
A Rialta passed us and I recalled fondly that not too long ago that was us driving in one just like that. And then mused just how small it looked! 
About 19 miles from our turn-off, we descended for 3 miles along a 7% grade, Alpine's PAC brake doing its magic. We always joke when Michael engages the exhaust brake and I think of Brett (whom I dubbed the Professor). At the Pomona rally, he advised Michael on the importance of regularly lubricating the PAC brake. And he explained the system to me, saying it was like jamming a potato up the end of the exhaust pipe - it blocks the exhaust and creates back-pressure in the engine that slows it down. So when I hear the familiar whine of the PAC exhaust brake, I always ask if we have potatoes cooking for dinner. By 3PM, we were at our destination, Pismo Coast Village. We found our site, #95, and for the first time since leaving home, unhooked Jeep then parked Alpine, set up, plugged in and boiled the kettle.
Tea finished, emails checked, and off we went to see the sun setting on one of our favorite beaches. But first, we ducked into the 711 store to pick up our second lucky Power Ball ticket.
Here we will stay for the next four days - bliss! It feels like we have arrived home.