Monterey Bay Area

This week we left San Francisco area and off to the Monterey Bay area.  The drive was fairly short but in the rain, and the traffic was light.  Other than a small cloudburst when we arrived (perfectly timed as Gerry was connecting our water supply), the weather was coolish, but with pure sunshine during our three day stay.  This week is riddled with many pictures as it is just too difficult to choose only a few and to try to show the beauty of this area.

Through the redwppds

Pebble Hill Golf Course

I filled in at the Pro Shop

Aptly named-Pebble Beach

 



The first day we took the 17 Mile Drive.  This drive is around the Monterey Peninsula and Pebble Beach and is often referred to as one of the most scenic drives which runs through a redwood forest and along the coastline.  While only 17 miles, it took us about three hours to make the trip as there were many stops and many "kodak" moments.  The scenery is really unbelievable.  The golf courses are second to none and beautiful but one must question the lush green grass during a time of severe drought.  I know - words of a non-golfer.  A short visit to the beach at

Carmel-by-the-Sea certainly explains why this area is so popular.  Before we called it a day we toured a restored mission - Carmel Mission which is still an active parish.  It was founded in 1771 and it's amazing to see the work done and how it has been preserved throughout the years.

The pounding surf

We then go to visit Monarch Grove Sanctuary - this is where monarch butterflies, west of the rockies, gather to spend the winter.  There were only a few fluttering about so not sure what happened.  We then went down to Fisherman's wharf.  This is similar to the one in San Francisco except it is smaller, and far more evident of the fishing industry plus less commercialized.  Here we had lunch, had a window overlooking the marina, with the birds begging for food.  On our way home we stopped at a farm stand to try some advertised deep-fried artichoke but no luck.  This area is the artichoke capitol of the world so at least we did get to see how they look when they are growing.

Lover's Point

Then it was a trip down the California coast to Big Sur.  Once again it was a very scenic road.  I absolutely marvel at the many homes built on the edge of cliffs.  Gerry made mention that he didn't get to see much of the scenery as he was busy watching for the 25 mph curves so I graciously offered to drive.  That didn't turn out real well due to the fact that we were now on the inside edge to it was more difficult to see some heights, and rocks, and pounding surf.  Plus, I apparently was trying to rival Mario Andretti - my how things seem different from the passenger seat.

 















It was now time to leave this area and head out towards the desert.  While not as scenic, every bit as interesting.  There were a couple of areas that had oil according to the number of oil wells.  While we often see oil wells in action but have never seen them in such clusters in very small areas. 

Also, windmills - I believe they were older ones but they too were numerous and almost in clusters.


As we drove we noticed bells along side the highway.  They were every mile or two and on both sides of the road and we wondered what they were about.  Finally on one there was a sign - we figured out that they marked a historic route - El Camino Real and by using google, found out that they are mission bells.  

The week has come to an end as we are camped in an area near Holtville, CA that we haven't stayed at for a fair number of years.  It is quiet, and not crowded and time to recover from the sight seeing of the past few weeks.

I see that the weather back home has been unusually pleasant which will certainly help shorten the winter.  I hope you have a good week so until then...............