| One has been on I-5 South for a little bit too long | | | | An eighteen-wheeler's air brakes crank down across |
| when they come to Buttonwillow. The driver is | | | | from Denny's. |
| overcome with relief and joy that there is civilization | | | | I-5 South is a good place to have breakfast at 3 in |
| after seventy-five miles of Edmund G "Pat" Brown | | | | the afternoon. Buttonwillow is right about where |
| California Aqueduct and almond orchards. I push lead | | | | Northern and Southern California meet as far as the |
| in my little Honda amongst countless trucks racing to | | | | state's "Water-Civil War." I wear a Giants cap; the |
| their drop lots and destinations. Time for a booth and | | | | kids at the counter wear Dodger Blue. Buttonwillow is |
| something to fill the stomach. | | | | where the twain shall meet. From here until Barstow, |
| Buttonwillow is I-5's true Oasis. Do I satiate my raging | | | | the Nor-Cal jacket stays in the car. |
| hunger on a Big Mac quick fix, or do I get Moon's | | | | Sprite goes well with ham and eggs, and fudge |
| over My-Hammy in the middle of the day? Those are | | | | brownies go well with Sprite. A little breakfast and a |
| the kinds of choices one has to make in Buttonwillow. | | | | little bit of desert make a good late afternoon lunch. I |
| That is simply life; one does have to make decisions. | | | | leave a five for the waitress and head out to my |
| Dust flies as gravel crunches at the T/A travel plaza. | | | | Honda. "So long Buttonwillow; I-5 Oasis. |