Posted by KEH on August 23, 2011 at 12:05:44 from (67.231.172.72):
SIL got wife and I to go with a tour group to San Francisce. Had a direct flight from Charlotte, NC to SF. On the way outthere were some thick clouds over th eastern mountains, rest of flight had clear weather and could see good in the dry clear air. I have driven over much of the area so had a general idea of where we were. Western Kansas and Eastern CO were big on the center pivot irrigation systems. Lots of big green crop circles on the flat land. There is a lot of dry land in this country. There was still snow on some of the mountains. I guess we went over some of the imperial valley as we approached SF and it looks like the cities have taken much of the water needed for farming there.
Went to the Napa valley ant toured a winery. They said the land that is in vineyards is valued at $300,000 per acre. They are using drip irrigation, water comes from a lake in the hills to the East of the valley. They buy oak barrels from France to age the wine in and pay $1000 each, using them once and sometimes twice. There is enough wine for 288 bottles in each barrel. CA produces 5% of the world's wine.
Some cattle ranching in the area. Not impressed with the pastures. It's all dry and looks like what we call cheat grass. There is a lot of stacking square bales in the open.
San Francisco was cold due to the cold ocean current along the coast. About 4PM the fog would roll in and the temperature would drop.
Toured Alcratraz island. 5 x 9 cells. Not a good place to spend time when it was a prison. It's close to the Golden Gate bridge, and the tidal currents can reach 9 knots. I don't believe anyone escaped from there. It's a mile or two swim to shore, in cold water. One guy made it to the base of the bridge and was picked up by army troops who were at a post there at the time. He nearly died from hypothermia and did die in prison. Today Alcratraz is the number one tourist attraction in the area and you have to book a trip there 2 months in advance.
Cable car story: The cable cars run on tracks with the cable that pulls them in a slot between the rails. This woman had stopped on the tracks in her car. A cable car came up behind her and rang the bell for her to move. She rolled down her window, stuck her arm out, and motioned the cable car around. Operator rang the bell again, woman stuck her arm out and motioned him around again. Finally the operator had to get out and explain that he had to stay on the tracks and she would have to move.
Saw a big thunderstorm from the air at night as we were returning. Those things are impressive from the air.
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - History of the Nuffield Tractor - by Anthony West. The Nuffield tractor story started in early 1945. The British government still reeling from the effects of the war on the economy, approached the Nuffield organization to see if they would design and build an "ALL NEW" British built wheeled tractor, suitable for both British and world farming.
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
Oliver 550 Diesel runs like a watch three point hitch pto engine gone threw about two hundred hours ago nice clean tractor
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
