Peacock Bluff

Dad works for the guy who invented video poker (Ernie) and this guy has such an incredible amount of money that he just buys rando-things for fun. One of those things is a 2,000 acre ranch (Running Luck Ranch)  just south of Fresno. Dad has to go to check it out and do inventory of houses and plants and things so he invited me down and we got to stay at the part called Peacock Bluff. The reason it is called this is that is is overlooking a gorgeous river and there is a wild band of peacocks that run around and "protect it". They sleep in the trees and in the winter they shed their pretty little feathers which I got to collect. 

It was so gorgeous and it really made me appreciate fresh produce, we were so well fed it was ridiculous. We got to run through the vineyard and pick grapes off the vine and had plums and apricots and peaches and nectarines delivered to us every day. 

We also went up to Seqouia (sp?) National Park  and got to see the nation's Christmas Tree. It was just such a fabulous weekend! Between spending time with my daddy and just being somewhere that is so removed from the city, it was such a nice break.

Plus the people who live at the ranch are like 80 and super sweet. The old man, Vern was a total spitfire....he was always such a suprise. We were sitting there talking about the vineyard and he walked up to one of the plants and was like hell, we grow the shit out of these. Let me tell you, to hear an 80 year old swearing about grapes is a little strange. 

If you ever get the chance to head out to Fresno, do it!

P.S. We also went to this town called Kingsburg which is full of Swedes. Its amazing. Who else has a viking to welcome you?