To Gilroy and Back

Did a whirlwind trip up to Gilroy to attend the memorial service for Tom's uncle, Leslie Muraoka. Learned that Leslie was named after the owner of a ranch that took in his family after they were released from the internment camp following the war (hope I got that right).

These hills outside of Gilroy are so pretty-the golden grass dotted with oak trees. Not the greatest picture however, I took it thru the windshield!

Helen, Uncle Rob, Kimo and Grandpa

Leslie was a good man and was always super nice to Tom and our family. He lived next door to Tom's parents and he and his wife June would always tromp over to talk with us whenever we visited.  He laughed with almost every sentence he spoke, at least that's what it seemed like. 
 

Tak and Tom's dad, Kenji-the two oldest Katashima siblings-nice to see them together.

Tom's cousin, Leslie's son, Ritchie Muraoka.
.  He sat at our table for lunch and talked to us for a long time, telling us what it was like the last several years taking care of his dad.  

Tom really enjoyed talking with his cousin Ritchie.  I took several covert pictures of Tom smiling nonstop as they talked about their childhood exploits days.

Leslie was a truck driver and Tom has told us about washing this truck when he was a kid.

Most of these are Katashima relations-June in the front with the beige slacks.

Tom and his two brothers Ron (top) and Rob

Drove by the San Luis reservoir where Tom fished in his youth-pretty full of water this time around! Saw an elk nearby, which Tom had never before seen in that area.

No parking!

Today's Wordle!

 

Ulexite "TV Stone"

I've always liked these "TV Stones".

Not technically a stone, but a mineral, the crystals have natural 

fiber optic properties.  I just think they are cool and fun.

A booth at the fair was selling different gems and minerals at very reasonable prices so I added this to my collection, if three can be considered a collection...  

Parallel fibers

Can't see through it from the side

So cool!

 

Another SpaceX Launch

Little bit of cloud cover tonight, but still able 

to see the SpaceX launch very well.

Could see the drifting rocket trail for a long time after
the rocket passed through.

 

Juneteenth at the Fair

Parked right off the race track!

Ate lunch at a Mexican stall-Kimo had us try this al pastor meat in a taco.

Potato brick

This is a new one!

This was also a new place

Sat down to eat and I mentioned how dirty this table was. We were sitting right next to the CA Lottery booth and Tom said this was the product of people sitting down doing their scratchers!

We like to look at the different entries in the fair competitions and there are plenty of categories!  One category is collections!  Here is a collection of empty paint tape rolls-it got an honorable mention ribbon!

This collection won a bunch of ribbons.  It's a collection of "trench art" made by soldiers throughout various wars-very interesting.

We also like to visit the flower competitions.  The flowers here are literally perfect!

Deep, deep color here.

Spectacular roses called, "Strawberry Kisses".

Gilroy Garlic had a booth here! Gilroy is Tom's hometown.

The gem and mineral displays are fantastic!  These specimens glow under a black light!

Even Gumby got in on the action!

Up on the ferris wheel

It was super crowded today.  Emi declined to come with us due to the noise and the crowds. View from the ferris wheel.

Tom and I only wanted to ride the ferris wheel, Kimo, however, braved the lines to try out some of the other rides!

Kimo tracked his steps and said he did over 14,000 steps here at the fair, so I must have done more than that since I have a shorter stride.  My feet feel worn out, that's for sure!

Still, it was a good day!