Thanks for the welcome. Yes Fresno has become the "far east side" suburb for the Bay Area. We're waiting to see if we are going to get a Bullet Train from Fresno to San Francisco (if it happens then only a one hour ride) but first we have to help pay off Gov. Davis' pesky electric bill from last year.
The grapes, figs, almonds, olives, etc are still here but a lot of the land that once held this produce has become Starbucks, Sportmarts, Ralphs, etc. I have only been here 3 years and the change from when I first got here is amazing. Hey we just got a Nordstrom Rack! Though I must tell you that when we lived in Seattle I don't think I ever even ventured into a Rack. But at least now I can say Fresno has a Nordy's.
I love Parker! My son lives in Denver and when I visit him we go to Parker all the time. That whole area is just fantastic. I'm looking forward to seeing him in June and I plan to ride the Denver bike trail system (I hear it's very well planned out and fun to ride).
-Wynn