Monterey, CA

August 28, 2008

We had a lovely time in Monterey, CA with Ted’s mom.

I’d never been to Monterey; it was incredibly beautiful. I loved that it had both forests and beaches.

The smell of pine and campfire and the squawk of seagulls. The morning mist in the air.

We saw and did so much. Ted’s mom is wonderful– the delicious dinners out and the great conversation.

Some highlights:

Hearst Castle. As I mentioned in the previous post, I’d been there as a kid, and I realized that the tour we went on this time was the same tour i’d been on twenty-odd years ago. Still, I was fascinated by all of the splendour and excess.

The indoor and outdoor pool, the architecture, the Hollywood lore. All of that and yet I found myself really drawn to the stuffed owl for some reason.

To get to Hearst Castle Ted drove us along Rt. 1– the cliffs of Carmel. Scary but exhilerating ride (those cliffs are really high and that day they were especially fog-drenched).

We opted for the safe highway on the way back.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium was so cool! But I have to say it reinforced my fear of jellyfish.

We visited the town of Carmel, and Point Lobos State Park with its rocky cliff beaches.

Unfortunately, Cannery Row is a bit of a mess– the Steinbeck celebrated fishery is no more– well, it’s still there, but it’s pretty much a mall now. In fact I think part of it was called ‘Steinbeck Plaza’ and I believe I saw ‘Steinbeck Cappacinos’ being served.

Still, one mall I didn’t mind was the Cannery Row Antique Mall– super fun and funky antique warehouse that I could have spent days in. I bought some vintage Chinese paper and a Utah sticker.

remember these stickers? my dad had a ton of them stuck to the back of his motor home.

To see more of the pics from our trip click on my Flickr.

*** oh, and check out this sweet typewriter I saw at the antique warehouse. I wanted it soooo bad! But alas, I restrained myself. Still it was only 24 dollars! Arghh!