We set out that afternoon to run a few errands (during which I had an inexplicable urge to buy Legos and Hot Wheels). For lunch, Danielle wanted a place that her kids could run around at. Any parent reading this already knows where we went.
And after just two days with three kids, we completely understood. We would be no different.
We were slated to have dinner with Fernando's family, but we still had some time before we needed to be there. So Danielle showed us a bit more of Turlock, and I was finally able to snap a picture of the ubiquitous tomato trucks that line the town's streets.
We started the evening with a surprisingly refreshing Bud Light with Fernando's dad. He had been at work during all of the previous times that we had been over to his house, so it was my first time meeting him. He grew up in Mexico, and had made a nice life for himself as a farmer in southern and central California. He fit the leathery image of a lifetime ranchero, and it was really nice to hear his story. He talked about how most agricultural workers are paid an hourly salary, so there wasn't much incentive to pick as much produce as possible. But he was a very hard worker, and some of the other workers used to get mad at him for making them look bad. Of course, the landowner thought differently, and now he's overseeing the entire operation.
Dinner was the best carne asada that either Aimee and I had ever eaten, and we both ate way more than we should have. Of course, Fernando's dad walking around the table offering more tacos every five minutes didn't help. But how can you say no to that?
Fernando, long accustomed to the quantity and quality of food at his parents' house, suggested that we all go for a walk after dinner. If it wasn't for that, we probably wouldn't be here today.
Of course, when you live on a peach and walnut orchard, it's not hard to find a nice place to walk.
Fernando gave us a tour of the property, and it was the perfect way to spend our last night in Turlock.
