I just experienced one of the most exciting moments of my life!

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But let’s go back to the beginning….

 

The POM Wonderful group hung out for a while in the hotel, so I ended up eating another small portion of oatmeal.  We had a long drive ahead of us!

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And then we drove about two hours in two vans.   I was a little nervous when we finally pulled up to the runway.  I’m not the best flyer – I typically grab the seat in front of me into my knuckles turn white.  The thought of getting into a 6-seater plane freaked me out!

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The planes hadn’t arrived yet, so we walked around the almond groves and inspected the plants.  The pomegranate trees were a few miles away.

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I am so glad I wore my flat boots!  The ground is dusty, and I’m already pretty dirty. 

 

The planes arrived and much picture-taking ensued.  You put 15 bloggers in front of a small private plane and its all over!  🙂

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I ate a banana while the pictures were being taken:

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And then…. I nervously climbed into the smaller of the two planes.  I told Tina that she HAD to sit next to me so I could grip a friend’s hand if I needed to! 

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And…. then we took off! I screamed.  A lot. 

 

Once we were in the air, it wasn’t so bad! In fact, it was really fun.  We flew over all the orchards and saw the POM Wonderful solar panels.

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It was a crazy experience, but I’m so glad I got over my fear and did it!  I doubt I’ll ever get another opportunity to fly around California in a private jet.  :)  I was shaking with excitement when we landed. 

 

Tina and I did some blogging while we waited for the second group to enjoy their life.  In all the places I have blogged, a dusty agricultural field is definitely the oddest location.  The other bloggers started to crack up when they spotted us. 

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After a quick blog sesh, we ate a picnic lunch.

 

The POM people had brought me a vegetarian lunch, but the sandwich was fake bacon, avocado, and lettuce, and I am very, very allergic to avocado.  Luckily, I found out that they had packed me an avocado sammie at breakfast, and snagged an English muffin and PB from the buffet.

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I also had chips and an apple.  And a cookie!

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After lunch was over, we drove to the POM Wonderful orchards!  The orchards were just beautiful…. these lust, vibrant-colored trees for as far as the eye can see. 

 

I even got to taste a pomegranate straight off the tree!  Can you believe I’ve actually never eaten fresh pomegranate?

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I’ll be back later with a recap of our orchard tour, as well as a fancy dinner.

 

Hope you’re having a great day, too! 🙂

{ 43 comments }

 

  • Nikki T October 20, 2009, 6:45 pm

    And what did you think of the pomagranite?? I think it’s acquired taste because of the little crunch of the seed, but I love ’em! My Nana used to peel them for us so we never had to work for the fruit!

    • caitlin October 20, 2009, 6:47 pm

      i love it!!

  • yogaMD October 20, 2009, 6:46 pm

    I’m so happy the sun came out for you guys. The weather’s been a bit crazy lately. I live in Fresno currently and I have noticed the beautifully ripe pomegranates during my recent runs out in the country. I agree with you that running out here is very boring, compared to the east coast where I’m from. I hope you guys go to Tommy’s for dinner in Visalia – Tommy’s is one of the very few perks about living in the central valley! The only veggie restaurant in town in New Star Vegetarian Restaurant, which is very good. Enjoy your trip!

  • Bernadette October 20, 2009, 6:55 pm

    That picture of you with the Pomegranate is awesome! You could be their poster child!!

    have fun!!
    xoxo

  • Jennie {in Wonderland} October 20, 2009, 6:58 pm

    You look so pretty, Caitlin!!

    I’m riding in a small plane on Thursday {ok, it seats about 30 people, but that is TINY!!} for a project my partner and I are working on and I am so nervous! So this post couldn’t have come at a better time, ha ha.

    Enjoy the pomegranates!!

  • kay (eating machine) October 20, 2009, 7:01 pm

    i flew on a commercial 9-seater plane in a snowstorm last year… i was kinda amazed i didn’t die, but it was awesome!

    and yum to fresh pomegranates!

  • Kiersten October 20, 2009, 7:03 pm

    That picture of you with the pomegranate is really pretty.

    I’m glad you got over your fear of planes! I hope you are having a good trip.

  • BethT October 20, 2009, 7:08 pm

    What a fun day! I would have been terrified on that plane…way to be brave!

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is October 20, 2009, 7:12 pm

    I’m afraid of heights so I would be freaked out!!!

  • Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) October 20, 2009, 7:12 pm

    never had pomegranate? Isn’t it so so good? I love it with frozen yogurt, oatmeal, smoothies. YUM!

  • MegaNerd October 20, 2009, 7:15 pm

    I’ve never had a pomegranate either!

    That plane ride looks like so much fun! Definitely a great life experience, right?

    You look so pretty in all your pics, I miss you !

  • Evan Thomas October 20, 2009, 7:15 pm

    So jealous, that day looks amazing! An almond grove, too? They have everything in California

  • Allison (Eat Clean Live Green) October 20, 2009, 7:26 pm

    I’ve never had a pomegranate either! Those solar panels are impressive!

  • Gabriela October 20, 2009, 7:40 pm

    That plane ride looks so exciting- being in a private plane is definitely a once in a lifetime experience! Keep enjoying your trip 🙂

  • Jenna October 20, 2009, 7:49 pm

    glad you are having a great time! you and tina are too funny blogging! haha.
    jenna

  • Emily Eats and Exercises October 20, 2009, 7:55 pm

    I would have screamed too! I hate flying, but that does look like a pretty amazing experience.
    I’m jealous of having a pomegranate right off the tree! Sounds amazing.

  • Niki (Running In Pink) October 20, 2009, 7:58 pm

    Looks like so much fun! I would have been really nervous on that tiny plane, too. Congrats on conquering your fear!!

    I just picked up a pomegranate at the store the other day. I usually just eat the seeds, but I’m curious if you guys are learning of any fun ways to use pomegranates in recipes or as a “garnish” for certain dishes??

  • Lauren October 20, 2009, 8:02 pm

    What a great trip so far. That picture of you looks like it should be used for the POM Commerical or on their website. You could be the new POM Wonderful Model. I’d look into that if I were you. 😉

  • angieinatlanta October 20, 2009, 8:07 pm

    What an unbelievable experience! Love that fresh pom pic!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) October 20, 2009, 8:08 pm

    Beautiful picture of you with the pom!! Wow – what a wonderful experience!

  • Susan October 20, 2009, 8:30 pm

    So when is POM going to ask you to be their pomegranate model? 😛

  • chandra h October 20, 2009, 8:42 pm

    what an incredible experience you are having!!! congrats on getting through the flying experience (and even enjoying it a bit :))

    love reading your blog – your happiness & enthusiasm shines through so well. hope you have a great rest of your time with POM!

    oh yea, & with those “lust, vibrant colored trees”! hehe 😉

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) October 20, 2009, 8:46 pm

    I’m the opposite of you…I’ve never had Pomms besides fresh. I’ve never actually had any POM juice yet.

  • Kristen @ frostingandfroth.com October 20, 2009, 8:47 pm

    What fun! Good for you for conquering your fear of flying in a small plane. 🙂

  • Lee October 20, 2009, 8:52 pm

    Is it just the seeds that are edible?

    • caitlin October 21, 2009, 1:32 am

      i think so? i will ask tomorrow at the plant.

  • Julie October 20, 2009, 8:59 pm

    Wow, what an awesome day! Congrats on conquering your fear of small planes!

    Is it bad that I didn’t really know that almonds grew on trees…?

    • caitlin October 21, 2009, 1:32 am

      hahah me neither!

  • Stephanie October 20, 2009, 9:14 pm

    Aren’t private jets the best?! Love them! Looks like an awesome day, can’t wait to see more about it and dinner 🙂

  • Melissa October 20, 2009, 9:27 pm

    You look so pretty in the picture with the pomegranate! It looks like you had a great day!!

  • Morgan @ Life After Bagels October 20, 2009, 9:44 pm

    You are the luckiest blogger alive, I can’t wait to read more.

  • Jac October 20, 2009, 9:45 pm

    looks like you’re having fun.. continue to enjoy your day!!
    take care,

  • Nicci@NiftyEats October 20, 2009, 9:48 pm

    The folks at POM are truly wonderful, what a fun trip.

  • Tracey@tropicalhappiness October 20, 2009, 9:52 pm

    Looks like fun! My hubby and I took a small plane up on Frasier Island in Australia, and it was just crazy!!!!!! Scary, but once you get up in the air, it’s not so bad! 🙂

  • kelsey @ kelseytoney October 20, 2009, 11:00 pm

    That looks amazing!!!

    you’ll have to give a tutorial about how to properly eat a fresh pom… I have doubts about my technique!! 😀

  • BroccoliHut October 20, 2009, 11:21 pm

    Fabby plane ride! I can’t get over the size of that pomegranate.

  • maria October 20, 2009, 11:51 pm

    That last photo of you with the pomegranate is so beautiful!

  • Laura @ Backstage Pass to Health & Happiness October 21, 2009, 12:03 am

    Looks like a great time, what a cool experience!

  • Mary @ Fit this girl October 21, 2009, 12:26 am

    You should definitely get that last pic of you with that pomegranate framed. It is beautiful!!

  • Kristine October 21, 2009, 12:45 am

    what an awesome experience!! and those pomegranates are HUGE!!!

  • peony October 21, 2009, 1:39 am

    love that picture of you with the pomegranate:)you should use it somewere ! xx peony

  • Diana October 21, 2009, 7:59 am

    That looks so much fun. 🙂 Yay for private jets 😛

  • Sarah @ See Sarah Eat October 22, 2009, 12:52 pm

    I’m glad I’m not the only one who doesn’t like take off! Plus small planes creep me out…but I’m sure the view was fantastic 🙂

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