Mothballs to Prime Rib Steak

Our next stop was for dinner. We had been driving for hours and hadn’t eaten since Mr. Pickles. We stopped to get gas and noticed there was a dinner called The Apricot Tree. The exterior looked fine and it was a rest stop area so you can’t expect too much. The second you open the door to enter all you smelt was stale moth balls. The entrance leads you through a gift shop which had dust layering merchandise. I think at this point Brad and I were both thinking “No, not going to happen” but going to the bathroom took over priority than stating the obvious. Now I have been to many events where Porto-potties are commonly used and at times the stench is unbearable but with a deep breath you can do what you need to do and get out. I was not prepared for this bathroom either was Brad as his experience was just as throat chocking as mine. The stench was so vile I could feel what was left in my digestion of Mr Pickles rise. 

I couldn’t even hold my breath because the smell invaded my nostrils when I walked in that I could not escape it. I first thought grab some toilet paper and pee outside, but than thought fuck it your here just getter done. I covered my face in my scarf gagging as the stench not only stunk of the most rankis shit but it was covered up by the worst kind of air freshener which was not doing its job of making the air fresh. After washing my hands I bolted for the door gagging and coughing trying to take in deep breaths of non bathroom air to only inhale mothballs I took one look at Brad and he said “yep lets go!” 

Thankfully there was an overpass and on the other side was a large hotel called Harris Ranch and attached to it was a large pub and family restaurant. By this time it was past 7pm and we had to make some decisions about how much longer we wanted to drive as we were still a few hours away from Los Angeles, and had hoped to have been on the other side. Harris Ranch is known for there cattle so its only fitting for them to have a steak house. They serve Reserved Beef plus a wide variety of other tantalizing selections. 

I was so sleepy after all that steak and glass of Napa Valley Merlot  I was once again thankful Brad was driving for I felt my eyes instantly get heavy. The hotel that was there was out of our price range and not suitable for dogs. Brad at this point got a second wind and wanted to hit the road before he lost his surprising burst of energy. I on the other hand was past out before we left the parking lot! I would open my eyes now and than and say a few words as to let Brad know that I was not sleeping to only close my eyes and my head go limp swaying side to side. (I think he knew) When I did open my eyes and try and sit up straight the Hwy was busy with large big rigs. The cars which were far and few in between looked out of place. Monsters of the Hwy were prevalent and I admired Brad for his determination to reach our next destination of Santa Clarita.