Ranger Roy and the Junior Rangers Camping at Casa de Fruta

Howdy Folks! Well summer is quickly passing here in Gilroy, California. I asked my junior
rangers what they would like to do this week before they have to go back to school and it was unanimous; they all wanted to go to Casa de Fruta out near Hollister, CA. Even though Casa de Fruta is just a few miles down the road from the Gilroy Best Western PLUS Forest Park Inn, we decided to camp there in order to take full advantage of all it has to offer.

Casa de Fruta is a great place to take the youngins. The campground is situated just down the street from the main Casa de Fruta store that’s packed to the ceiling with dried fruits, nuts, and a variety of gifts and souvenirs. The campground has lots of fun things for the junior rangers to do. There’s plenty of room for hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities as well as a pool and playground onsite. The main attraction for some of the rangers is the train ride, though.

The Casa de Choo Choo train at Casa de Fruta takes kids and adults on a ride around the property passing a variety of scenes and animals…even a few buffalo. The train ride is just half the fun for the junior rangers as there is always something special happening at Casa de Fruta.

Several years ago I saw Casa de Fruta’s Famous Cup Flipper. He walked up and down the aisles of the onsite restaurant flipping cups at patron’s tables. Starting with the cup upside down on a plate, with precise motion, he flipped the cup up into the air as it landed up on the plate again while he filled it with hot coffee. I don’t know if the he is still there, but if he is, I know the rangers will get a kick out of watching him.

I’m sure that whatever is happening at Casa de Fruta we will have a great time. One thing is for sure; there will be plenty of opportunities to hunt for new leaves for my leaf collection. And I’m pretty darn sure there are garlic products in the Casa de Fruta store so I’ll be set. Well folks I’ve got to get packin’. Until next time, I wish you safe travels and eat lots of garlic!