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Finding a Clover in a Haystack

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Prologue: I knew this would happen if I waited too long (which I did), but I forgot the details of finding my first Starbucks Clover location in California. You heard that phrase about finding a needle in a haystack, right? Well, I essentially found a Clover in a haystack! Read on…

It was during a summer trip to Central Valley, California, and we were driving for awhile. Were we driving to San Francisco? Monterey? Santa Rosa? Sadly my memory fails me. But all I remember was I was tired after driving for hours. I needed a caffeinated pick-me-up before continuing to drive for a few more hours. So I asked my wife to use the Starbucks mobile app to locate a nearby store. The app showed a few locations, and I headed to the closest one which so happened to be located in an outdoor shopping outlet area. Seeing the familiar Starbucks sign was truly an oasis.

I got out of the car, walked to the door, and noticed this unfamiliar logo in the window.

Holy Starbucks! We randomly stumbled upon a rare Starbucks Clover location!! I couldn’t believe it. Off all the stores displayed on the Starbucks app, we happened to pick one with a Clover brewing system.

Like I said, I was fatigued from driving and my memory is fading, but I couldn’t quite figure out the Clover menu. A barrista cheerfully guided me through the various options, and I got an iced Kenya. Because it’s freshly brewed, the wait time was a bit longer, but it was fascinating to watch the individual brewing process. I do remember the coffee tasting fresher and not as bitter. The flavor was deeper, but since my drink was iced, the fresh brew quickly became watered down as the ice melted.

Still though, having a Starbucks for the rest of the drive was great and just thinking about the kismet of this happenstance is still incomprehensible.

While there is no official map of all the Starbucks Clover locations, check out Starbucks Melody’s blog as she documents her visits to as many Clover locations as she can.

Update: this location is store number 69034 located in Town Center Corte Madera.

The Best Tacos in Fresno

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If you’re looking for the best tacos in Fresno, where would you go? To Chris Meat Market.

You know it means something when patrons comment on not being panhandled for money as a positive when visiting the Meat Market. So what can you expect? Cheap ($1.50) but very tasty tacos! Cash only please.

We had three tacos – carnitas, chicken, and chorizo. These were all in small corn tortillas with the protein chopped and prepped when ordered. Each taco had some zing to it but surprisingly, the chicken taco was the spiciest.

Washed all this down with some grapefruit soda.

Outside seating is available for eating but just a warning that you probably will be approached by panhandlers so takeout is highly recommended.

First Stop: Grocery Shopping

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One of the first stops is to stock up on food supplies and to see what new items may find its way to Hawaii.

I saw quite a few different Doritos flavors which seem targeted at the local demographic, so I doubt they’ll hit the islands. Canned coffee and espresso drinks are back to Trader Joe’s. I remember Trader Joes’s used to have these canned drinks, but in recent years, I hadn’t seen them. They’re back now. I was told La Creme natural creamer was already available in Hawaii (and has an unusual taste) after I purchased a bottle. Yes, for a natural diary creamer, my expectation of La Creme didn’t match up. Maybe I’m just used to fake, artificial non-diary creamers.

Travel Tip: No Sausages

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Just a tip for the travelers. Don’t hand carry sausages on airplanes. If you do, expect delays at the security screening station. Must be those oblong, cylindrical solids look suspicious on the scanners. Doesn’t matter if it’s Portugese sausage or a salami, the TSA staff will want to look at your sausage.

Software Updates Aplenty

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After being on vacation for a bit, I come back and have lots of software updates to do.

  1. Mac App Store
    • Twitter
    • Sparrow Lite
  2. Microsoft Office
  3. Adium
  4. Software Update
    • iTunes
    • AirPort Utility
  5. Adobe Flash Player
  6. WordPress Plugins

Crowded Cream Market

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Been to the grocery store lately? There’s a new coffee creamer trying to break into the crowded market dominated by Coffee-mate and International Delight. Look for Baileys Coffee Creamers (yes, that Baileys) and see if this new creamer can make it.

I tried the Original Irish Cream and thought it was okay. Baileys has a creamier consistency compared to Coffee-mate and International Delight, but nothing really set it apart.

Interestingly, the Baileys Creamers web site features an iPhone app called Coffee! The app costs $2.99 and displays various pictures of coffee (not associated with Baileys). Hmmm, I’ll pass on the app and will pass on any more Baileys creamer.

Where Have the Ladybugs Gone?

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The population of Ladybugs in North America is changing dramatically according to the Lost Ladybug Project. But I think I’ve discovered a new breeding ground. Look at all these Ladybugs!  Yes, all those reddish specks are Ladybugs.

I submitted these pics to the Lost Ladybug Project to help with their data collection and analysis.

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