FAT-WHYME

visitors enjoy driving Fresno Fruit Trail

When people think of California, first think of beaches, theme parks and stars Film and often one of the most important aspects of this condition is ignored – agriculture, which provides many of our basic needs. With farmland for compete with anything you see in the Midwest, a large California San Joaquin Valley is dotted with small towns that exist primarily to serve the people working in the agriculture industry.

For big city types, can be illuminating to stop and visit some of these communities, if only to take a look at a slower pace, more peaceful life, where the word "trip" is not in the local dictionary. Local residents might also cycling or walking to work at these stores from the main street – although most do drive. Picture mature trees provide enough shade usually perfect for downtown business areas, while stately, historic homes decorated some of the main routes into and out of town. Traffic is almost nonexistent, and people use their local parks to sit on a bench and just think what all this means.

Among the cities are cropland, perfectly defined in the square or rectangular packages, each dedicated to a particular plant or crop. old houses are spaced every half mile or mile – although some of them are very modern and palaces – and the seemingly endless two-lane roads are usually straight as possible. Not many SUVs or sports cars here – about nine of every 10 vehicles is a truck, some so old that are still living past lives.

For family travel by these agricultural lands, there is an opportunity to put things in perspective. City kids set produced by magically appears in the local supermarket will be amazed to see their vegetables leaving a rich soil of this region. For adults, is an opportunity to get some of these things fresh and cheap – buying fruit and produce in these parts is actually eliminating the middleman.

All this played over hundreds of kilometers between the northern and southern California, but a place where the local city fathers have done a little easier for visitors Fresno is. While the city itself is bustling with traffic and not the "Mayberry" is like, the south and east of Fresno is composed of several small towns with names like Sanger, Selma, Kingsburg, Orange Cove. Local tourism officials have created what they call the Fresno County Fruit path that would lead to three dozen and farms, shops and unique attractions that will give you a taste, literally, of what this region has to offer.

Timing is everything in this trip. We handle more than 100 miles around the loop just a little bit before the fruit was ready – it's worth, but a little disappointing in the number of seasonal markets they were not yet operational. Visitors taking the loop start in early June have not been the problem. Most fruit stalls opened its doors in May with peaches and nectarines. Cherries and apricots follow. Traditionally, in mid-April to July is best for the berries, while in mid-May to September find the best stone fruit – different varieties of peaches, plums, nectarines and apricots. Since mid-June to September, visitors can see the famous raisins Fresno sun-drying.

While we do not really like the fresh fruit in our record, we find some fascinating places in the Way of the fruit. We started to get A copy of the roadmap fruit of the Office of Tourism Fresno County (see contact information below). The map provides an overview of where they are large things located, although some specific instructions were a bit difficult to follow. We must admit that ultimately deceived – using our system GPS navigation – but getting a good local map to complement the fruit road map should clear up any confusion.

Most fruits Way points interest seven to 10 miles away, but several groups of several stops near each other. You definitely want to stay in Fresno for the night, and that this output will take you the better part of a day to do well. We recommend the Courtyard by Marriott – a getaway to just himself with a large pool and jacuzzi, spacious and comfortable rooms.

Among the fruits road stops we found most interesting:

Simonian Farms – This is a store of its kind located outside Fresno and it's fascinating to explore. The first thing to note is outside the old farm machinery – a garden sprayer, 1925, a Massey-Harris tractor 1936, a steam tractor 1906 motor – as well as a variety of other items such as a railway carriage of Santa Fe and the windmill eight meters (for sale for $ 98). This is just the picnic area outside the store and once you approach the store, you see the old wood stoves, antique gas pumps, dozens of old gas signs, several houses wooden birds for sale – $ 10 per pop – and a large selection of bells. The product is in store – fruits, dates, nuts, such as items Cajun-spiced extraordinary house-cured olives and raisins coated strawberry Thompson. Hanging from the roofs of several old bicycles and the walls of the store are covered with photographs of yesteryear. Along the walls are a couple of dust hundreds of historical artifacts such as old typewriters and food containers the end of the century. All and all, this store is a shopping experience.

Circle K Ranch – This store passes everything one can imagine. There are chocolate covered raisins, yogurt covered raisins, jumbo raisins raspberry and gift boxes that combine these and other varieties in one package. You can also find the nuts, peanuts, pears dry, dried pineapple and prunes.

Stations – This small shop, located primarily in someone's house, called stations because it carries gifts season such as Christmas decorations throughout the year. As secretary of Deborah Sappington said, the owners know all of the suppliers of the store. Find many elements of organic vegetables, including a soap made with loofah. Just in case there is a tractor museum and exhibition of old tools, all there in the backyard.

California Olive Oil Manufacturing Company – If you're not careful you'll miss the nondescript building and small office but well worth stopping here for olive oil Award winning. Oil has been produced by Ugaste family for over 60 years.

Kingsburg – This town Mayberry style is trying very hard to be a Swedish people to the track, although about half of the buildings along Main Street, we have not gotten with the program. But no matter. The small town charm is worth a visit and enjoy browsing through antique shops, such as "My Sister's Closet and Apple Dumplin, or dining at Gino's or enjoy a cool beer in the Courtyard cappacino. It is logical that this little piece of American culture do not have one 50 stores until two years – the 50's the store and the store Rockin 50s, both grown full of memories of the 50's. Be sure to visit the Town Hall, a building historical columns seems to have been created for a movie set Smalltown USA.

IN BRIEF

WHERE: Fresno is located in the Valley San Joaquin, between Bakersfield and Sacramento with easy access on Highway 99. The route of the fruit is just southeast of Fresno.

WHAT: Fresno is located in one of the major agricultural production areas of the state and the relatively large city of Fresno serves as a gateway to a region of small towns, villages, farms and orchards.

WHEN: In general, the path of the fruit is best to travel in the spring and summer months, although they are at the mercy of Mother Nature for all crop. Agriculture is obviously seasonal, but even in the off season there are many throughout the year are highlighted in this tour.

WHY: The fact that love the taste and smell of fruits and vegetables will enjoy the tour, not to mention those who find it interesting to visit the historic buildings, towns small and buy products and unusual items.

HOW: The brake County Tourism Office is pleased to provide a road map if you call fruits 559-262-4271.

About the Author

Cary Ordway is a syndicated travel writer and president of Getaway Media Corp, which publishes websites focused on regional getaway travel. Among the sites currently offered by GMC are http://www.californiaweekend.com, covering California spa vacations and other Golden State destinations, and http://www.northwesttraveladvisor.com, covering NW beach vacation ideas as well as other Pacific Northwest travel destinations.