Quality Inn Monterey

... colour in the sun, very exciting! Then found a half price jewellers and got a new ring to replace Charlotte's lost one yay. Then went on the 17 mile drive around the Monterey peninsula, saw big waves and the famous Lone Cypress Tree. Charlotte then fell asleep during the Day After Tomorrow, which was very exciting having now been to New York and LA!   

... br><br>Sumner disappeared quickly up the cliffs and mountains, trying to make it to the top of the falls. He made it to the top to see where the river fell down and struggled a bit coming down. From our view at the bottom it looked like he was properly rock climbing...down. He looked completely vertical trying to come down those cliffs...I'm still not sure that was a great idea, but I bet the view was awesome. Although I missed it<br ...

... of Japanese, Buddhist feel, right up my street! We dropped off our bags and headed down to the towncentre. We walked along Capitola Beach where local children were building dens out of the mass of driftwood that had been washed ashore. As the sun set, we walked down the pier, where the local fisherman were hanging out. We stood gazing out to the ocean and then, to our surprise, we saw a dolphin, weaving in ...

... br><br>Into Santa Cruz we arrive, parking Lola somewhere up a hill...somewhere that I wasn't paying full attention to...yikes (you'll read soon). We locked her up and headed into town for food and drinks. Along the walk we found a colorful, post 60's era, Grateful Dead loving, gray bearded, slightly drunk fellow, who was friendly to the max. "Latest member of the group"-Matt. We stood there with him for a bit while he meandered along in conversation about Jerry Garcia (Jerry told me to do ...

Thursday was the day of our return trip to LA. We'd done the north-bound journey via Interstate 5, with the intention of taking the Pacific Coast Highway (the "PCH") for the south-bound trip. The only problem with the PCH is that for much of it the road winds its way along the coast and speed is not an option. This, of course, is the very reason for driving it - the route must be one of the most spectacular in the world. Our guidebook ...

... was really cool seeing them swim around, that it makes up for the lack of whales... for me at least. I am sure Azrael is still very disappointed not to have seen whales. It is currently the season for Blue and Humpback whales migrating, and it seems that this boat tour company have seen these whales every day this week, except today!!! We could have gone out again at 1.30pm, but we weren't really up for it, so we just have to be content with what we did get!<br><br>

... who seemed to cure his slice from the first drive...or at least that's what he claimed after Will's first drive flew straight left into the hotel complex! But by hole 3 things were improving and it may have been the wind, but a few of Will's shots seemed to be drawing right to left.... but the overall conclusion was more range time needed!<br><br>Afterwards it was back to Monterey and the Days Inn. It was nearer the centre ...

... a roadtrip to the Hearst castle yesterday. The tour was quite the timewarp to the past. To have stayed there in the 30's would have been quite the experience. I could have only dreamed to be one of Mr. Hearst's guests. Leave tomorrow for San Francisco......

... surfers in their wet suits (the sea is still very cold) trying to catch a wave. As the waves were only 2 ft high it hardly seemed worth it. Santa Barbara - 1st November 2008 We worked our way down Highway One via Solvang, a village built in the Danish style, all windmills & pretty pastel coloured houses - the Danish Pastries were lovely. Our next port of call was Santa Barbara, another lovely beach resort with a wooden pier.