Casa De Fruta--and Everything June 8 2008

After a hard 3-hour hike in the sun, we stop at Casa de Fruta looking for ice cream--and there it is, at Casa de Sweets! I can tell just from the name that I'm in big trouble!

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:29:26 -0700

elf1
After a hard 3-hour hike in the sun, we stop at Casa de Fruta looking for ice cream--and there it is, at Casa de Sweets! I can tell just from the name that I'm in big trouble!

I manage to escape with only a cherry/truffle gelato and 1/4 pound of mint chocolate swirl fudge. Ooooooh wayyyy yummy and now I have to go do that hike AGAIN to make up for it. But at leas ...

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:35:23 -0700

elf1
I manage to escape with only a cherry/truffle gelato and 1/4 pound of mint chocolate swirl fudge. Ooooooh wayyyy yummy and now I have to go do that hike AGAIN to make up for it. But at leas ...

Paul's vehicle is very very dusty from the 7-mile unpaved road in to the visitor center.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:34:42 -0700

elf1
Paul's vehicle is very very dusty from the 7-mile unpaved road in to the visitor center.

Casa de Fruta is not shy about using its "Casa de" brand.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:26:59 -0700

elf1
Casa de Fruta is not shy about using its "Casa de" brand.

Casa de Kiddie Entertainments.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:31:41 -0700

elf1
Casa de Kiddie Entertainments.

Casa de Eats (Casa de Restaurant).

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:33:52 -0700

elf1
Casa de Eats (Casa de Restaurant).

Casa de Fruta was originally (100 years back?) just a cherry stand on the old road over Pacheko Pass.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:28:53 -0700

elf1
Casa de Fruta was originally (100 years back?) just a cherry stand on the old road over Pacheko Pass.

Casa de Everything You Could Possibly Want.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:28:02 -0700

elf1
Casa de Everything You Could Possibly Want.

The "fruit stand" is now a major store with every kind of gourmet produce-related (or sweets-related) food substance you can imagine. (Hiking mates Linda, Pete, Steph, and Paul walk among wa ...

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:36:29 -0700

elf1
The "fruit stand" is now a major store with every kind of gourmet produce-related (or sweets-related) food substance you can imagine. (Hiking mates Linda, Pete, Steph, and Paul walk among wa ...

Pete waves his wares at the camerawoman as he goes by.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:32:16 -0700

elf1
Pete waves his wares at the camerawoman as he goes by.

Paul evaluating the garlic olives, garlic pimentos, pimento garlics, garlic olive pimentos...

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:24:40 -0700

elf1
Paul evaluating the garlic olives, garlic pimentos, pimento garlics, garlic olive pimentos...

This is a different Mr. Alien from my usual Mr. Alien. This one apparently has a career other than taking over the Earth. Or maybe he's just the Earth Taking Over Middle Manager.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:29:44 -0700

elf1
This is a different Mr. Alien from my usual Mr. Alien. This one apparently has a career other than taking over the Earth. Or maybe he's just the Earth Taking Over Middle Manager.

Casa de Fruta also really does sell fruit. And it all looks really good.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:37:42 -0700

elf1
Casa de Fruta also really does sell fruit. And it all looks really good.

Stephanie with a sign proving that she has in fact been at Casa de Fruta--she claims for the first time in her life. How could anyone not have stopped here??

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:26:01 -0700

elf1
Stephanie with a sign proving that she has in fact been at Casa de Fruta--she claims for the first time in her life. How could anyone not have stopped here??

Inside the store--a big old truck loaded with fruit and nuts. Present company excluded.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:37:06 -0700

elf1
Inside the store--a big old truck loaded with fruit and nuts. Present company excluded.

This year, Casa de Fruta is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Amazing.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:30:48 -0700

elf1
This year, Casa de Fruta is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Amazing.

Lots of nuts and other goodies in huge bins. The cashews must've been the size of my thumb! I gained 10 pounds just walking around this place.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:32:58 -0700

elf1
Lots of nuts and other goodies in huge bins. The cashews must've been the size of my thumb! I gained 10 pounds just walking around this place.

They even have their own wine label.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:25:16 -0700

elf1
They even have their own wine label.

Linda enjoys her cool drink--with a spoon on her nose?

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:30:09 -0700

elf1
Linda enjoys her cool drink--with a spoon on her nose?

Just kidding--

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:35:46 -0700

elf1
Just kidding--