No Longer Destination-Minded

We Change Our Minds

Today we are headed to Myers Flat off Highway 101 where we plan to spend 2 nights on The Avenue of the Giants, as in redwood trees.

I have to give all the credit to my husband, Jeff, though, as he is the captain of this ship of an RV. He plans, charts, and navigates our routes. Me? I organize all our stuff and secure the holds… and create waves. Sometimes I second-guess his wisdom. Other times I criticize little things he forgets to do.

Jeff, my love, I truly am sorry for my doubts and complaints! I don’t give you credit for all the many things you do, which is everything when it comes to the mechanical and technical details of the RV. You even spoil me with taking care of the dogs. So, world, hear me now! From this moment forward I commit myself to stop being such a pain in your… butt.

So, after 24 miles on Interstate 5, we turn west on California State Highway 20.

But before we turn off, Jeff and I see this building just outside my window.

googlemaps

Since it looks more like a processing plant than an administrative building for a company entitled, Rice, we conclude that rice is grown here in central California as well.

Then I “googled” “adm rice ca” and the ADM Milling Company in Arbuckle, CA popped up. And once again Google pinpointed our exact location as we were on the 5 traveling through Arbuckle at the time.

ADM stands for Archer Daniels Midland Company, a major international supplier of rice in all forms: short, medium, and long grain, milled (white), brown, and rough rice. (adm.com)

According to foodreference.com, rough rice (paddy or cargo) refers to rice with the kernels still within the hull. Before rice can be packaged or cooked the outer hull or husk has to be removed. Brown rice is the first step in this process. California rice, calrose, has been specifically developed for minimum water use and ease of mechanical harvesting.

calrice.org

Notice the plane in the Spring quadrant of the poster above. What we thought was a crop duster plane taking off, was actually a plane loaded with soaked rice seed getting ready to fly over the level clay soil “bathtubs”.

As we exit the 5, rice fields and rolling landscapes escort us onto Highway 20.

For the next almost 80 miles we take the long and winding scenic route west to the 101.

For 20 miles we enjoy the scenery of Clear Lake.

We enter Mendocino County,

and catch the 101.

We’re back where we were last September when we left the coast of Oregon,

but this time we’re returning. Yay!

We cross and re-cross the meandering Eel River.

And then the coastal redwoods appear,

along with a tsotchkes shop, called Big Foot something or other.

Meanwhile Murph buries himself under my feet and licks my leg. (If only his saliva could produce a cure for dry skin and his licking feel like a massage!)