#16: [01-Nov-17]

#15: [19-Oct-13]

#14: [22-Jun-11]

#13: [31-Oct-10]

#11: [21-Sep-09]

#10: [14-Oct-07]

#9: [16-Jun-07]

#8: [09-May-06]

#7: [12-Aug-05]

#6: [30-Jun-03]

#5: [30-Nov-02]

#4: [21-Jul-02]

#3: [10-Mar-02]

#2: [06-May-01]

#1: [29-Oct-99]

17-Mar-2010 -- ”Nothing’s as sad as a house by the side of the road… the house with nobody in it.” (with apologies to Sam Walter Foss and Joyce Kilmer) Since before the turn of the century, confluence hunters have journeyed to California’s San Joaquin Valley to check on current conditions at the house on Escalon - Bellota Road at the 38th parallel. At last report (in September 2009), Terje Mathisen found the old house renovated, but totally empty. So, imagine my anticipation and excitement (be still my beating heart!) as I turned north from Highway 4 at Farmington, wondering if on my arrival I would find new tenants living that most envied of lifestyles: residing just across the street from a degree confluence point. Alas, the house not only remains empty, but is now blocked off from the road by a sturdy barbed wire fence…

Recent agricultural production in San Joaquin County has topped $2 billion per year. Cows, such as those seen in the field beyond 38N 121W, seem to account for a quarter of this total, but following milk in the top five commodities list are grapes, cherries, almonds, and English walnuts. As we observed driving in from the Oakland area, this is truly the land of fruits and nuts! [Research shows San Joaquin County leads the U.S. in both walnut and asparagus production.]

As alluded to in previous reports, this is not the world’s most exciting confluence. In fact, the snow visible to the east on the not so distant peaks only served to remind us how close we were to the wonders of Yosemite and Hetch Hetchy. Now, there would be something to write home about! But I digress…

Beyond the housing report, there’s not much news to update from this rather underwhelming site, one that has seen at least an annual visit during eight of the ten years since AD 2000. In fact, it must be told that half of our party, upon discovering a legitimate visit could be claimed from within the road right of way, chose not to leave the car! I did note 38N 121W marked the 34th different line of longitude I have straddled during my cp visits in the U.S.A.’s “lower 48,” giving me 60% of the total. With a little strategic planning, might I someday be able to claim trips to them all???