I got inspired to visit Denio's after reading the article in the Sacramento Bee about the auctions coming back here and thought I would take my daughter and Australian husband here as an "American cultural experience."

Located on a huge lot, you pay $3 to park and entry is free. Lo and behold lie rows upon rows of vendors! Some look like yard sales, some are wholesalers and some set up their own mini shop. Thought it was interesting that you could just buy a Budweiser and walk around.

Husband was ready to leave after an hour. I was intent on hunting down the farmer's market area. Glad I did because I scored some very delicious pineapples ($1 each), avocados (five for $1), fresh roasted peanuts, onions (three pounds for a $1!!!!) and other goodies. Other highlights included:

• Pinata vendors - Amazing pinatas with trailing crepe paper. Walking through one booth was like swimming amongst a sea of colorful jellyfish.
• Cowboy kettle corn - Yes, a guy wearing a cowboy hat makes fresh kettle corn onsite. A generous bag is only $3. Warning: it is addictive.
• Birds - One lady sold lots of finches, doves, parrots, etc. I was kind of amazed that families would stroll by and casually buy one.

The auction component itself was interesting. If you don't wear a baseball cap, you may not fit in. Some electronics, but lots of boxes selling various sundry items like mac & cheese, sparkling water, etc. There was one box of assorted clothes. Nothing interested me enough to stick around.

I may come back to pick out a pinata down the road, otherwise, it really wasn't my scene. I could see how you could make a day of it though. On a down note, someone in the parking lot driving a red vehicle had scratched our car on the passenger side...bummer.