Vacation Eats
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| Yosemite, Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias |
We were on vacation for two weeks in northern California and spent quality time with our family. For 4 days, we visited with my sister in law Kristen in Bass Lake, CA. During this time, the Ferguson fire was going strong and unfortunately, it still is. We did not see the raging flames, but the air was smoky, the smell of fire was ever present, and ash coming down. We ended up going to Yosemite the day we arrived in Bass Lake since we found out they were closing the park at midnight. We intended to go the following day, my 50th birthday but plans changed. We went to the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. It was magnificent even though we were surrounded by a smoke filled sky. We are thankful to have the opportunity to be in the presence of such beauty and grandeur.
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| Yosemite, Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias |
Our hearts go out to those who died and we are grateful to everyone at Cal Fire, the firefighters and emergency personnel fighting the Ferguson Fire, and all the volunteers for their efforts and hard work. We spent some time at Bass Lake and Redinger Lake and it was relaxing and fun. Vacation goes so fast and it is over before you know it. I did not photograph every place we ate, and I present some of our vacation eats to share with you all. We hope you enjoy it. We sure did!
July 20: We had Taco Salad for dinner tonight and that was a treat. My Mother In Law Laurlee always makes it for us when we visit. Family friend Debbie joined us as it is one of her favorite meals as well.
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| Taco salad night |
July 21: Uncle Bill and cousin Rob were with us and we had a great time together. We had 3 pizzas from Costco, and I made salad. For dessert, we enjoyed a decadent Tuxedo Chocolate Mousse Cake also from Costco. It was all so yummy.
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| Salad I made |
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| Tuxedo Chocolate Mousse Cake |
July 23: After shopping at Walmart my father in law, Allen and I had lunch at In-N-Out Burger. I always come here at least once when we come out west. I love this place. So yum! Allen and me ordered the same thing the Double-Double and French fries.
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| In-N-Out Burger |
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| I got some smiles for the photo |
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| Employees are so busy |
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| The Double-Double and French fries |
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| French fries, close-up |
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| Double-Double, close-up |
July 24: After our visit to Yosemite, we had dinner at Casa Velasco Mexican Restaurant in Bass Lake, CA. The food is authentic Mexican and tastes great.
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| Casa Velasco in Bass Lake, CA |
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| Yummy chips and salsa |
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| Allen having chips and salsa |
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| My Ground Beef Burrito, Mexican Rice, Refried Beans |
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| Allen's Carne Asada Burrito Grande |
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| Carne Asada Burrito Grande goodness |
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| Sis Kristen |
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| Dad |
July 25: My 50th birthday! Our day started with a hearty and delicious breakfast and surprise birthday pancakes at Ducey's on the Lake - Pines Resort in Bass Lake. They even sang happy birthday to me and good thing it was after coffee.
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| Ducey's on the Lake |
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| Love the décor |
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| Sis and Dad |
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| Allen and Sophia |
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| Me with Sis |
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| Sophia and Allen |
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| My birthday pancakes |
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| Enjoying a hearty breakfast |
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| Allen happy they have Tapatio |
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| My hearty breakfast. Did not eat toast since I got the birthday pancakes |
After breakfast we drove to Oakhurst to buy my birthday cake at Raley's. This area was really smoky from the Ferguson Fire. I chose a Strawberry Shortcake Cake. It was really pretty and delish. The cream on the cake was silky and rich, and the cake airy with sweet strawberries in syrup. All in all, it was a great birthday cake to share with my familia.
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| About to have some cake |
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| My 50th cake: Strawberry Shortcake Cake |
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| Strawberry Shortcake Cake |
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| Strawberry Shortcake Cake |
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| My slice of cake |
After cake, we went to Redinger Lake for the rest of the day. The family did their fishing while I read my book, Delicious by Ruth Reichl and relaxed. It wasn't as smoky over here so that was good. For dinner, we ate at the Pizza Factory in North Fork. The pizza was 1/2 veggie and 1/2 all meat. Tasty!
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| Pizza |
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| Veggie |
July 26: We had breakfast at Ducey's again and burgers for dinner at The Forks in Bass Lake.
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| We came back to Ducey's for breakfast |
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| Allen's Biscuits and Gravy |
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| My breakfast |
The Forks - Bass Lake: Best burgers in town!
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| The Forks in Bass Lake, CA |
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| The Forks |
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| The Forks; where we sat outside |
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| The Forks; we sat out here and had a beautiful view of Bass Lake |
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| My burger and french fries |
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| Allen's cheeseburger on sourdough and french fries |
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| A perfect view of Bass Lake |
July 27: We sadly left Bass Lake in the morning and half way home, we went to Black Bear Diner in Merced for lunch.
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| Welcome to the Black Bear Diner |
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| Black Bear desserts |
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| Allen proudly displaying the Black Bear Hot Sauces |
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| Allen's breakfast |
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| Allen's biscuits and gravy |
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| My breakfast: Veggie omelet and hash browns topped with lots of ketchup |
July 28: We met up with our friend Mike at Anita's Mexican Restaurant in Livermore for lunch. We always have the best time with Mike and the food at Anita's is delish.
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| Anita's Mexican Restaurant |
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| Chips and Salsa |
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| Allen with his Carne Asada Burrito |
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| Allen's Carne Asada Burrito |
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| My Fish Tacos with Mexican Rice and Refried Beans |
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| Mike and Allen |
July 29: For dinner, Allen baked chicken thighs slathered in Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Sauce. My mother in law made her signature macaroni salad. I am happy she shared the recipe with me.
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| Mom's Macaroni Salad |
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| BBQ Chicken Thighs |
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| Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs, close-up |
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| Dinner: BBQ Chicken Thighs, Macaroni Salad, Sliced Avocado |
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| My dinner plate |
July 29: Allen and my father in law grilled steaks for dinner. Allen seasoned the steaks with McCormick Steak Seasoning. My steak was a perfect medium and so juicy. We finished off Mom's Macaroni Salad.
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| Allen and his steak |
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| About to cut into my steak |
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| Sis and Mom and silly Allen's finger in the photo |
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| Dad and me enjoying our steak |
-Sophia and Allen/Two Frys
