Del Monte Pines Motel Monterey

... since August 21st) that we have had rain though!

Here in Monterey we went on a self guided tour of the historic Monterey. It didn't take too long but it was fun to get to see some of the historic aspect of the country that I hadn't seen before. We also did some of the touristy things as well. We went and walked down Cannery row- which the history of it just amazes me sardines just aren't my ...

... t think it is reasonable to charge the full fee when practically the entire park is closed! It was no wonder that there were so many cars parked just outside the park as the Waterfall trail is not far from the entrance and would have easily been accessible from outside the park on foot. Oh well.... let’s just see it as our contribution towards the rebuilding of the park.

Waking up in the middle of the redwoods in the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park was really something else. We had a nice shady spot, and were greeted to streaks of sunlight peeking through the giant redwoods. Awesome!

We headed for brunch at Cafe Kevah, along Highway 1, which is also ...

... weren’t supposed to stay for so long after all. As we came home from dinner, about 2 hours later, the Park Ranger’s van was still there, all lights a-blazing. But this time, we noticed that the windows had been broken and the boot had been popped. So I guess that’s what happened in the meantime! So ok... it seems like the owner has abandoned the car, and it is now being towed away. I would sooooooo like to go and ask the Park Ranger what is going on!!! It could be anything!

We went to Point Lobos State Reserve, not knowing much, except that there are plenty of sea lions in residence. However, we found out at the park entrance that sea otters are also in residence! So it became our mission to spot some sea otters.

We walked the Sea Lion trail, the trail at Whaler's Cove, the Cypress Grove trail and started the Bird Island Trail, without any luck. Shucks! I ...

... 8217;s a really nice, pretty fancy restaurant and we were so under-dressed. Nevermind... this is after all a beach town. They didn’t complain, so we just went ahead and got seated. We saw the table next to us being served their main courses and we got really excited! The food was so so so so good!!! For starters, I had the Monterey squid with asian mango vinegerette and Azrael had the Dungeness crab cake with spicy tomato relish. My squid was pretty good ...

... room to practice full swings as well as those difficult 60 foot putts.

The next morning Debbie slunk off for a horse ride through the woods and along the beach followed by a trip to the spa whilst, with nothing else to do, I had to suffer a round on the golf course that will host the US Open Championship next year. It is a stunning course that winds it's way along the cliff tops and over ravines and inlets to tight, well bunkered greens. I struggled round in 82 strokes that ...

... angle lens! Though mom and I both swear I'd taken it off my purse in the room, we were both mis-remembering. Once we found it, I remembered that I'd tucked it under the seat when we went in to eat somewhere so it wasn't tempting anyone. Well, I'd done such a good job hiding it that even searching for it, I couldn't find it :p And I'd looked in the car, too! Oh well, now I have a new wide angle lens, and it turns out the new one (which ...

... I can't wait to see her. It's been 4 years! She won't be home from work until 6 or so, so I will entertain myself somehow. I was thinking of heading to Carmel and maybe Big Sur if that's on the way. I know I will spend some time in Santa Cruz reminiscing too. I'll probably stop by my old community college and just drive around Santa Cruz. And, of course, I will be getting my shrimp burrito. And going to Trader Joe's...and ...

... life is like a box of chocolates... you never know what you're gonna get...And this time he was asked to pose looking ridiculous...) P.P.S. How sad is it that Martijn's real shoes are as big as the fake shoes, which are meant to fit people's feet WEARING shoes?! Oh... P.P.P.S (heheheheh) Monty is NOT a souvenir for anyone... Monty is Trude's :D (Now to see if she can resist getting more cute stuffed animals for the rest of the trip :P)