OT Spring in CA

[pflaming]

Just had to take a few pictures this morning. Enjoy.

[BulldogTom]

Looks like Nectarines or Peaches. Where did you snap the picture?

[Powerhouse]

WOW! LOVE this place!

[pflaming]

Pink is one or the other, peaches or nectariines. Must get in the orchard to know which. I took the picture south of Kingsburg, CA from atop an interchange.

[PatS....]

That sure looks nice!!! Still at least 4-6 weeks away here

Nice to be reminded it's on it's way

[BulldogTom]

I used to work in Sultana. Not too far from Kingsburg.

[pflaming]

Tom, about the only place you could have worked would have been George Bros. Fruit Packing. They sold all their orchards and shut down this winter. Long time company gone!

[BulldogTom]

You got to be kidding me! The family owned that packing house since after WWII and had been farming that area for 100 years. What happened? When I left the company several years ago, there was another generation ready to take over. I never thought I would hear of that family going out of business. They grew the best nectarines in the valley.

[pflaming]

The fresh fruit (peaches, nectarines, plums) agribusiness has been in the tank for several years now. The local packing houses now are large volume oriented firms which sell good looking, good shipping fruit which does NOT taste good.

I have a friend who still farms and packs like they did 20 years ago and his fruit is exceptional. I am currently researching putting a fruit stand in Maine north of Portland, this coming summer and use ONLY HIS fruit. May go out first week in April to set it all up.

Times are changing in many ways, sad. A couple more pics for your enjoyment. Sorry this got off topic!