Gas prices in Fresno bumped up a penny a gallon overnight to an average of about $3.96, according to AAA.

Here in The Bee's Business Department, we're keeping a daily watch. The $4 benchmark, while just a few cents away, is nonetheless significant. It makes many of us think wistfully of days past.

For instance, I remember when gas crossed the 50-cent threshhold at Ivory Jack's in rural Fairbanks, Alaska. We didn't own a car at the time, but it shocked my hitchhiking mother.

Anybody else have stories to share?