A Trip Back to Grandma's House

My Father was born and raised on an orange farm in Exeter, CA. We were in the area recently and went looking for that farm. I knew that my Dad's nephew had lived a block or so from the home ranch. I was able to get the address on Google. We set the navigator to the address and found the home of Phillip and Janet Tomlinson on Rd 304. Once there, we headed North to the next road and as soon as I saw it, I knew we were close. I recognized the old "planer shed" that had been next to the sawmill that was kiddy corner to the main house where the family grew up. Once I saw the house, I went South to where my Uncle Walt and Aunt Harriett had lived. I recognized that house and went back South to the main house. I was loitering by when a car started out of the driveway, then went back. I inched up to the driveway and ask the woman in the car if this was Mrs. Tomlinson's home. She said it was, and would I like to see the house? I was amazed and promptly accepted the invitation. The ranch looked different, as the new (30 years) owners had built on and changed things around. The first thing I recognized was the front porch. It had been screened in back then and that is where I slept as a young kid. Once inside, I recognized the stair case and the window into the kitchen. I was only maybe 13 or 14 the last time I was there. My Grandmother's health was failing in those days and she finished up her life in a rest home. I recognized all of the rooms in the house, but it seemed much smaller than I remembered. I guess I was smaller and it just looked big back then. The woman (owner) gave us a tour of their plant greenhouses and the rest of their operation. We got to see the garage where I remember my Grandmother had a Packard car, but I never saw her drive. I saw the old wash room where she did the laundry and hung the wet clothes on a square clothes line right outside. That has all been changed, but I recognized all of it. As we walked to the back of the property I saw the cistern that we were always warned away from. The wood front of my Grandfather's shop was still there. They had converted it to an office and drying room for their hot pepper products. Our hosts had been going out when we arrived and they said they had to leave. We said thank you and goodbye and headed back to Exeter for lunch.