.JPG)
We’re counting on many food experiences on this trip. (Picture is Maxine at the Jelly Belly plant.)
An hour north of Pleasanton we come unexpectedly on the first one. A sign at the side of the freeway reads, “Jelly Belly”…
Jelly beans. Really good ones. Maxine calls their switchboard. Sure, come by. We do tours all day. We’re at the plant in 15 minutes. Touring a candy factory -- how much more fun can it be? And besides, Maxine and I originally met while working for M&M/Mars.
The tour was fine. Not very detailed, but what you’d expect. Trays and trays of jelly beans in more colors than you see in a rainbow. Millions of them. At the end of the tour, the guide hands out free bags of them and points us towards the souvenir shop. Maxine resists my begging – I’d wanted to buy the 10 pound case. She compromises at 2 pounds worth. They become snacks for the drive and taste great. And, we have over a pound left for the cold, rainy Portland days I’ve been imaging.
Aside from that surprise, the trip passed uneventfully. By the afternoon of the second day, we’d run out of talking and were listening to music. Seat belted in the rear seat, Cassie was peaceful, except for occasional barking. I thought back on two-day drives to Florida during my childhood and how challenging it must have been for my parents with four kids – but, at least we didn’t bark at motorcycles.
Oh, and along with the motorcycles, Cassie spent a lot of time barking at tall trees. That, though, was a new one. Even though she lives in LA, she’s seen trees, but never this many in one place. We’re not sure what about them bothers her, aside from the newness, but she did not like the trees. Urban dog!
An hour north of Pleasanton we come unexpectedly on the first one. A sign at the side of the freeway reads, “Jelly Belly”…
Jelly beans. Really good ones. Maxine calls their switchboard. Sure, come by. We do tours all day. We’re at the plant in 15 minutes. Touring a candy factory -- how much more fun can it be? And besides, Maxine and I originally met while working for M&M/Mars.
The tour was fine. Not very detailed, but what you’d expect. Trays and trays of jelly beans in more colors than you see in a rainbow. Millions of them. At the end of the tour, the guide hands out free bags of them and points us towards the souvenir shop. Maxine resists my begging – I’d wanted to buy the 10 pound case. She compromises at 2 pounds worth. They become snacks for the drive and taste great. And, we have over a pound left for the cold, rainy Portland days I’ve been imaging.
Aside from that surprise, the trip passed uneventfully. By the afternoon of the second day, we’d run out of talking and were listening to music. Seat belted in the rear seat, Cassie was peaceful, except for occasional barking. I thought back on two-day drives to Florida during my childhood and how challenging it must have been for my parents with four kids – but, at least we didn’t bark at motorcycles.
Oh, and along with the motorcycles, Cassie spent a lot of time barking at tall trees. That, though, was a new one. Even though she lives in LA, she’s seen trees, but never this many in one place. We’re not sure what about them bothers her, aside from the newness, but she did not like the trees. Urban dog!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment