POST 1257; MARCH 08, 2014; NEWMAN,CALIFORNIA

The dinner last evening in Westley was something to behold:

Ministroni Soup
House Salad
COORS LIGHT BEER
Dinner Rolls
Mixed Veggies
Baked Patato
5 GROSS Pork Ribs BBQ
4 slices New York Roast BBQ
1 Chicken Breast BBQ

In no way could 4 of me eat such an offering.  I am afraid I insulted the chef.  It was delicious, but 3/4 of it I had to leave.

 Crop Dusters were busy most of the day flying from a small airfield in Westley.

Most of this farming area is in Nut Trees.

Came across this Cement Plant which seems to recycle old concrete into new cement creations

OLD Concrete being recycled.

Farm Home along SR 33.

Another look at the watering system.  I was assured that many of San Joaquin Farmers are installing such computer controlled systems...automatic to the point that underground metering devices read soil moisture content and mineral consistency to select proper matrix mix to feed each and every tree in the orchard.

Scarcity of water is becoming a major problem !!!

Some orchards are cropped short and flat on top; others are let to grow naturally - as above.

Local small water holding pond.

Cleaning up the water ditch berm getting ready to begin :flood" watering.

Some lucky farmer is receiving a new tractor and Pump System.

A Water District Representative visiting JOHN DEERE confirmed to me that farm water wells are normally 250 to 450 feet deep, with some now reaching 700 feet deep to reach the water vein running into the valley from the SIERRA NEVADA (CASCADE) Mountains some 100 miles to the East.

Also confirmed was the fact that SALT WATER is being brought to the surface under some circumstances;...some places he knew the salt was leaching in from the Pacific Ocean...but other places where salt was in the mix he did not have an answer for.

A recently tilled field, ready for planting.

For the first time, began using Sun Cream and ZINC OXIDE to combat Sun Burn...

We have reached the southern climes.

The town of NEWMAN, where I plan to spend the night. 

Covered only 16 miles today.  Am a bit slow, but feel good.  Am taking it slow and easy after all the hospital and Rest days off.
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Interviewed by Dean Harris, Managing Editor of Mattos Newspapers, Inc. this afternoon.

Tomorrow, more Southing on SR 33.

POST 1256; MARCH 07, 2014; WESTLEY, CALIFORNIA

Walked approximately 24 miles today to the tiny town of WESTLEY, California located on Hwy 33 about 10 miles south of Tracy.   This was accomplished in three sections, each 2 hours long.

Leaving LIVERMORE, we found numerous horse ranches and wine grape vineyards.

Further east we encountered a range of denuded grass covered hills.\\

Crossing these hills was not child's play.  They were very steep...some exceeding 12 % in steepness.

A single stream - a small trickle, actually - flowed into the eastern flatlands south into the San Joaquin Valley.

I-580 to San Francisco.

TRACY, California in the distance.

A look back into the hills we just crossed.

One of the many large canals carrying water diverted from the five rivers that within the past 150 years, kept the ancient Lake Lanore brimming full...ranging the length and breadth of the current garden of America...the San Joaquin Valley.

New seedling trees together with the modern watering / fertilizing system feeding under ground pipes directed by computers.  I have been advised that much of the deep water wells of the San Joaquin Valley are producing increasing amounts of SALT WATER !

Westley Restaurant / Bar, where I am sitting inside producing this UPDATE.  Hope to stay the night parked in their lot next to the building.

I am treating my magnificent performing OLD body to a BBQ Combo...a complete dinner.  It deserves a  bit of a lift.

In the morning, it is south on State Road 33.

POST 1255; MARCH O5, 2014; LIVERMORE, CALIFORNIA

Before we get to today's walk, a word about the Lab Tests at Santa Rosa Hospital.  

THEY DID NOT HAPPEN. 

The Cardiologist, Dr. Thomas V.(No one could pronounce his last name), REFUSED to fulfill his commitment to evaluate my blood lab work...AND REFUSED (Two separate times ) to meet with me, Stating - according to his Nurse, ..."  HE HAS NO HEART PROBLEM..

Since there was no cooperation to have my lab work evaluated to assure no non-compatibility with the NEW medications the Hospital prescribed for me, I drove the 100 miles (a 200 mile round trip) back to Walnut Creek, telephoned both my Primary Doctor in Bellingham AND the MEDICARE headquarters to update them on developments...

...then, I departed Walnut Creek , resuming my walk...shared below:

Rain water drops on a one-inch about-to-bloom flower...

Please say HELLO to MARGARET STEELE.  Margret was a dinner table mate (one of 8 of us), who dined together during our 4-month around-the-world cruise back in 1999 - 2000...with New Year (Century) Celebrations in ARGENTINA.  MARGARET recently celebrated her 92nd birthday...one beautiful lady...and yes, Margaret, I am a flirt....

DICK - ME - MARGARET - SHANNON  - enjoying yet another evening together some 14 years after our cruise.

The following pics come from the impressive larrge town of DANVILLE, California...which must be included in America's most prestigious communities.

Please say HELLO to ELDER ROWLEY and ELDER GEILMAN...on a missionary for their church.  We spent the better part of a half hour conversing on religious - and other - matters.

I was very pleased to meet and communicate with these two young men...uplifting and consoling...

...and as we leave Danville, the hills of San Francisco Region have become green (the are normally quite BROWN ) from the recent rains.

Farm grove of NUT trees...I know not what kind of nut.

Yes, the CHP stopped to find what I was doing walking California back roads...

Please say HELLO to Trooper JJ SWANN.  Trooper (John) SWANN and I had a VERY lengthy conversation on the well traveled roadside, agreeing to keep in touch as I made my way across America.

* * * * * * * * * *

Trooper John departed with suggestions for my parking overnight.  I ended up (thank thank you, John) at WALMART in the town of LIVERMORE, CALIFORNIA.

I spent 3 hours preparing this blog update in MACdonalds last evening...only to have it disappear from my computer when attempting to POST. 

It is now 0800 hours Friday, March 07, 2014.  Am in IHOP - where I have been a customer for some 40 plus years - when it was called INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PANCAKES.  Their WIFI facilities are comfy and QUIET...thank you !

I now continue walking  from Livermore on TESLA Road to the city of TRACY, California...and then on Highway 33 south toward Bakersfield, California.

For Melissa:  I feel no conflict internally from the new medication...still, lab work soon might be appropriate.