Day 1B San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery May 2008

(#3 on the map.) I've often passed the sign pointing up route 33 towards Santa Nella and the Korean War Veterans Memorial. But this is not an important stop for motivation on the way to dog agility events. This time I wanted to see it. Turns out that it's in the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, which is very way out in the middle of nowhere. It's quite peaceful. Just the place to put an expansive lawn and reflecting pools: the middle of a semidesert. But at least it's near a reservoir.

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elf1 > We drive a long way out into the country, wondering whether we've missed a turn, particularly when we come to this sign and fence that seem to tell us that we're at the end of the road and there ain't be nuthin' out here.

elf1 > But the road continues past the "END" sign, so we drive cautiously along the gently curving lane. We begin passing evergreens planted in the median, each with a small plaque.

elf1 > We stopped to check the plaques on the trees. The two closest to us were labeled for ships, the USS Darter (SS227) and the USS Shark (SS314), Oct 24, '48. So apparently the trees, battened down tightly against the fierce winds that blow across here, are memorials for ships lost at war.

elf1 > Finally we reach the actual entrance to the cemetery. It's all dignified, low-key, quiet, comforting.

elf1 > But there are warnings about rattlesnakes and other critters here, too.

elf1 > At first, the wide sloping lawns look empty but for an occasional flower or flag. We wonder how they know where to put the flowers, so we park the van and get out to stroll across the grounds. In fact, the lawns are filled with flat granite markers. No marching lines of upright stones like at Arlington.

elf1 > Wide paths meander through the park-like setting. We encounter this stone memorializing Pearl Harbor.

elf1 > A small, artificial but natural-looking, stream and pond drift through the grass, the still waters reflecting the plentiful willows.

elf1 > The natural pond feeds into more formal reflecting ponds with planters for flowers and a bridge for contemplation. Linda contemplates.

We drive a long way out into the country, wondering whether we've missed a turn, particularly when we come to this sign and fence that seem to tell us that we're at the end of the road and there ain't be nuthin' out here.