Tuesday, June 28, 2016
On my way to Monterey Bay, I saw this Mission right off the freeway after leaving Paso Robles so I made it a point to remember the exit so I could stop off on the way back. Established in 1797, Mission San Miguel Arcangel is one of 21 missions in California created by the Spanish. Much of the artwork and structure dates back to the original. This was definitely worth the stop.
Monday, June 27, 2016
Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) is a highway that runs the entire state of California. It is one of the most scenic drives with stunning views and historic stops. I was saving the best for last, a trip down Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) to an area called Big Sur. National Geographic calls it a drive of a lifetime and ever since I moved to California, I have thought about driving the entire length of it.
A great idea but easier said than done. Driving PCH is about the journey, not the destination. Although scenic and historic, it isn’t an easy drive. Parts of the highway winds along steep cliffs high above the ocean. Scenic yes, but it is you cannot afford to take your eyes off the road for a single minute. Once you pass Big Sur, there aren’t a lot of options, you either commit drive another 75 miles or you turn around at some point.
On this drive, I was amazed at one given moment the outside temperatures were close to 100 degrees and 10 minutes later, it was cold and windy with temperatures dropping into the 60’s. I didn’t realize that was possible within a few miles. My only regret? I should have spent a complete day or more to do this with more stops. Continue reading
Monday, June 27, 2016
We left the aquarium and headed to “Cannery Row”, an area along the waterfront that was once the site of sardine canneries. The area was made famous by John Steinbeck in his novel “Cannery Row” set during the depression. Unfortunately, this area was one a bit of a let letdown with shops and restaurants found at any other shoreline village or peer. Salt Water Taffy shops, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company restaurants and souvenir shops. Did I mention a wax museum? Needless to say, I wasn’t there all that long.
Sophon and I settled on Linguine Luigi’s which had great views and average food. We were hungry and wanted to have something to eat before heading down Pacific Coast Highway to check out Big Sur. Continue reading
Monday, June 27, 2016
I must admit, I am pretty good about getting the jump on things and avoiding crowds. It paid off to get an early breakfast and to get the Monterrey Aquarium first thing. We were one of the first ones into the Aquarium with a line that went around the block behind us. I wondered if the fish were thinking that it was a great night – here comes the crowd and lots of kids to pound on the glass. I walked up to this one display and a docent said “Welcome to your own private aquarium”. I knew that wouldn’t last for long.
The docent said that he wanted to tell a story, that most people were going to walk right on by this one tank and not know the full story. He pointed out a skate fish in the large tank and then had us go over to a small tank. He explained that these two pods contained the egg sack from the skate fish. The embryo would grow and finally a few skate fish would emerge. He was right, I would have walked past that tank and would have never given it a second thought. Continue reading
The Lone Cypress
Sunday, June 26, 2016
After arriving Monterey, we found a place to have lunch and afterwards, we checked into our hotel and changed our clothes, shorts and polo shirts were too cold. Paso Robles was close to 100 F when we left. Monterey was foggy and 58 F degrees. It never ceases to amaze me on how in California, a short drive and the climate feels completely different.
We set out to explore and we happened upon the 17-Mile Drive, a scenic drive through Pebble Beach and the Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsula. I was somewhat confused that after paying to what I thought was to California Park services, an entry fee, but when I got beyond the gates, it was private (and gated) residences and private golf course. I began to wonder if I had actually paid a fee to the state of California or if this was all private. Continue reading
Sunday, June 26, 2016
There was no planning for this trip. Although I had planned having the week off, I intentionally didn’t plan what I was going to do. I finally decided on Friday that I was going to go to Monterey Bay, in all these years living in California, I had never been. It is a five-hour drive from Los Angeles (with good traffic) but I am not one for driving long distances. I chose to split the drive on the way up stopping in Paso Robles. My parents loved taking road trips and didn’t think twice about throwing five kids into the back of Mom’s station wagon and driving five or more hours. After they retired, they drove across the country several times. Personally, I love to fly.
My first stop on this trip was Paso Robles. This is Red Wine country but Wine tasting was not on this tour. As much as I love red wine, I get a bad headache from it if I have more than a glass. Paso Robles was a stop, a place to have dinner, spend the night and then head out to Monterey Bay the following day. I drove around Paso Robles, and stopped at an Antique Mall. It was fun until I realized that I was recognizing a lot of things from my childhood. Seriously, I am not that old and that “Hey Hey with the Monkees” album might be old but an antique? I began to wonder if everything from my parents garage sale ended up in this shop. I found myself staring at a General Electric toaster knowing that was the toaster I grew up with. If you had asked me how to describe it, couldn’t, but knew it when I saw it.
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