Sacramento, California

When I was a child we used to drive down to Long Beach California every year for our summer vacation to visit our great grandmother, Nana. The trip usually started out strong with the family getting up before dawn to load up the car and make sure all us kids were loaded into the car. We did this for many, many years until all of us (the children) grew too old for a family vacation or we just simply had other things to do. Today reminded me of those times as we had good intentions of leaving early and somehow missing the boat.

Today, while others were out performing much needed yard work or performing mandatory community service, David and I were driving towards our future. Our goal was to drive south down Interstate 5 into uncharted territory for David – California. The reason for this course is simple: gluttony. David has never had an In-N-Out hamburger.

Really there is not much visually appealing while driving towards California. Just your usual rest stops, farm land, construction sites with no construction workers but signs telling you that you are entering a construction site so slow down. There are also the usual exits service fast food, lodging, and gasoline. Once in awhile you come across a city that offers something unique like buying hamburgers and ice cream served out of a manufactured home.

David, never having been south of Creswell, had his choice of cities to stop in for lunch. Most of the day went undecided until we passed a freeway sign indicating a Del Taco would be at exit 30 (just turn left). Del Taco would be for lunch. We made our way to exit 30 a short while later, made the left turn and headed down the road anxiously looking for Del Taco. We found Del Taco a bit down the road. This particular site was closed down. We settled for a less than satisfying Sonic for lunch instead.

The remainder of the day was spent with a symphony of freeway driving, the singing of songs, the drinking of coffee, and the occasional "oohs and ahhs" of the scenery as we drove by. We finally made it to the In-N-Out burger joint in Sacramento where David took his first bites of the forbidden fruit only instead of being punished he demanded In-N-Out burgers everyday.

Unlike our early family vacations to Long Beach, this driving trip isn't over quite yet. We may have reached our goal for Day 1, we have many days to go before we get to our destination. However, this day does get better. I am finally able to lay down, relax, turn on the laptop and drift away.

night.

Tomorrow: Salt Lake City