Monterey

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 →