Clocks Fall Back, Waking to the Sunshine, China Date Ranch

We got up on Sunday, Nov. 5^th at 7:30, no wait it is really 6:30 with the DST taking effect. It was actually nice to wake up to the sky being so bright so early even though I know tonight I will feel differently. It will be dark even earlier. Can’t have my cake and eat it too, I know! It was a mild 55C out there and breezy again. The breeze is welcome though on these beautiful days, especially around noon and early afternoon.

It was a lovely drive down 372

With coffee/tea and computing done, we talked about our day. Another bit of a touring day for us, an hour drive to Shoshoma and Tecopa. Everyone talks about the China Date & Bakery Ranch around here so that is where we are headed. I have to check out a date shake while we are here. We got cleaned up and had something to eat. Rob and Pat, Bill thanks you for the strawberry rhubarb jam on his toast. It was yummy!

Around 9 we headed out Crawford Way which turns into Hwy 372, onto 127S towards Shoshone, Ca. We followed the gps and the signs onto Furnace Creek Rd and then China Ranch Rd. Boy, what a ride! No one told us! There are parts of this downhill drive that are one lane only and you are careening around sharp turns with steep rocks and mines on either side. If it weren’t for the signs, we’d truly wonder if we were headed down on the right road.

We're goin' down

Still with us?

Crazy and lots of "Oh my God" moments

As has been the case on this journey, it was well worth it. Even though at one point for a few seconds I couldn’t see the bottom of the hill we were going down! We parked and went inside and chatted with the owner. Sampling about 10 varieties of dates was a real treat and we made a decision which one to buy a packet of. It was the Gourmet we ended up with.

And finally it flattens out

Very quaint, I love this!

Should have went back and taken a better picture

The branches are heavily laden with dates, covered for protection

I peeked up from the bottom at the new harvest

George and Suzie asked us to pick up a couple of their Date Nut Loaves if we went so we bought one for ourselves plus a couple of yummy looking dressings. 

Mosaic art work on the steps

So much to look at

Bill posing beside the saloon doors

Checking out

 After checking out, I spotted a dried Date Flower for $1 that I just had to have for back home in the bunky so went back in to pay for that. When we arrived around 10 we were the only ones there but within 20 minutes the place was a booming business.

I'm enjoying the date shake very much but glad we shared one

Interesting seating area made of horseshoes and tractor seats

This was interesting, someone has a sense of humour!

Before heading out, we walked the Creek Trail back through a treed area with a small stream, the Creek we presume, and wooden beam bridges. Quaint! Bill saw a couple of quail which I again missed, but I could hear them in the trees chattering. 

The Creek Trail starts here
More quaint seating areas

We probably should have checked in at the Office but it looked like quitting time

this was a neat trail and I followed my sweetie

It is interesting to see how they cover the dates as they are growing and ripening. He explained that the high ones are covered from birds and the low ones from coyotes. Bill will be writing a more detailed post about the China Date Ranch and how it started so check that out at On Our Way.

Really? No, I didn't pick any

Red ones (awesome!)

Yellow ones

Beautiful palm tree forest

We drove home by way of 127N to 190/State Line Road and stopped so Bill could capture a couple of pictures of some beautiful Rolls Royces. Again, he will post pictures, it is a guy thing. We arrived back at camp at just before noon and I made myself a quick meat, cheese and lettuce wrap before walking up to the pool. I wanted to snag a chair and take advantage of the sun today.

There are residential homes back here and I got a kick out of this fence
didn't want to go too close and invade their privacy

If you haven't had your quiz yet today.........
What is it?

There were a couple of familiar faces to chat with and we always seem to meet new people as we’re out and about. The temperature when I returned was 69F/20C so a nice evening. The wind was pretty much non-existent this afternoon. I decided last night that I wasn’t enjoying the David Baldacci’s book enough to finish it. The print was so small and I wasn’t getting very far. Time is too precious.

These are protected from coyotes

I took a new one up to the pool and latched onto the story right away. This one is by Tess Gerritsen, Rizzoli & Isles: The Silent Girl. I think I made a wise choice. We are having burgers tonight for supper, with or without a bun but with a salad or puff ball on the side. Haven’t decided at this point. We each made ourselves a drink. Bill trying out the Bacardi and me my Strawberry Daquiri cooler. Yum, I like those!

there were quite a few mines along China Ranch Road marked this way

We remember that we didn’t like the bread we found all of last winter unless it was fresh made Italian or French and that wasn’t a favourite. We just found that any of it didn’t stay fresh more than a couple of days and unless toasted, we weren’t enjoying it.  So, we bought nice hamburger buns for Bill to have a sandwich with when he chooses. They seem to stay fresher, longer. At least we aren’t eating as much bread now, so the buns will work fine.

And entering Shoshone on 127S
This is the smallest, most modest Catholic Church I've ever seen
I like that

This time seems to have messed up Clemson – again – he didn’t ask for his supper until 3:45 which is yesterday’s 4:45. Strange little mutt he is. The sun is dropping, earlier than last night, it will be dark soon and it is only 4:30. That is the price we pay for an early morning sunrise. Even though we don’t get the winter our friends and family back home will get, the season is still here and along with that, the time changes and short days.

My palm flower

I walked out to see where the sun was and could only catch it sitting just over this part of the Casino on the corner. The air temperature is dropping dramatically as well so I came in to start getting things ready for supper. I have really enjoyed this day. Today we commented on how we couldn’t believe all of the things we have done and seen in such a short time. It will be two weeks tomorrow since we left home.

I want to thank you for stopping in today to see what we are up to. If you wish to leave a comment, it would make me very happy to read it.

By the way, here is the answer
Were you right?