Well we woke up from our impromptu campsite and thought, let’s go! Just a block a way we found a little diner kind of place and we stopped for breakfast. It was a good start for a new day, especially after last night. The plates were humungous and we all left absolutely stuffed. We still needed to figure out what we’re doing today and which path we’ll take home. I think we decided that Yosemite is out of the question. Given the fact how busy Yosemite is normally, and that it’s a holiday weekend, we decided to go down the coast a little, then head east to Flagstaff. The next town on the map is Monterey and I thought perhaps we should stop there and check out the aquarium.
The morning is beautiful and we arrive in Monterey at a good time. We quickly find parking and head straight for the aquarium. It’s a wonderful place and the kids really enjoyed it. We were all taken by the sea otters. They’re very cute, lying on their back and all. We saw penguins, and jellies, and octopus, and sharks, and sea stars, and lots of other fish type creatures. It’s a well designed place and I recommend it to everyone. That’s it for Monterey though, we walk briefly along Cannery Row but we need to push on. No rest for the weary.
We start heading down route 1 and just around Carmel come across a sign indicating route 1 is closed 10 miles south of Carmel. Well our plan was to head down the coast, not stopping much, but head to San Simeon and the Hearst Castle. Well I found out that the only way around the closure is to head back up to Monterey and then east to route 101. So that’s what we do. But now what? Should we loop back around to San Simeon or just cut our losses and head toward home? We call the only campground in the San Simeon area and they have 7 spots left. We still have two hours before we get there. After much thinking we decide to go for it. It’s a long, hot drive down the 101 through Salinas and an agricultural valley. We rush as fast as our little Westy can and make it back to the coast. The ocean and it’s cool breeze is much welcome. Our air conditioning just doesn’t do what it’s supposed to so we don’t even bother with it. I drive a few miles up the coast to San Simeon and find the campground. A sign at the entrance says “Campground Full”. Well I just drove through the hot, stinking day to get here and I’ve got no where else to go so we enter anyway. I let the ranger know that I’m sure he’s got at least one spot left and sure enough, he finds us a spot. Hooray! We find our campsite. The campground is still full from July 4th people. It’s loud and crowded, not ideal. But it is right on the beach, and it is a spot for the night. We’re grateful to be there and enjoy the evening. The boys fly their kite. Randi and I immediately have a beer. We relax by a campfire. Tomorrow we hope to get into Hearst Castle since we don’t have reservations, then it’s a long drive to Flagstaff.
The morning is beautiful and we arrive in Monterey at a good time. We quickly find parking and head straight for the aquarium. It’s a wonderful place and the kids really enjoyed it. We were all taken by the sea otters. They’re very cute, lying on their back and all. We saw penguins, and jellies, and octopus, and sharks, and sea stars, and lots of other fish type creatures. It’s a well designed place and I recommend it to everyone. That’s it for Monterey though, we walk briefly along Cannery Row but we need to push on. No rest for the weary.
We start heading down route 1 and just around Carmel come across a sign indicating route 1 is closed 10 miles south of Carmel. Well our plan was to head down the coast, not stopping much, but head to San Simeon and the Hearst Castle. Well I found out that the only way around the closure is to head back up to Monterey and then east to route 101. So that’s what we do. But now what? Should we loop back around to San Simeon or just cut our losses and head toward home? We call the only campground in the San Simeon area and they have 7 spots left. We still have two hours before we get there. After much thinking we decide to go for it. It’s a long, hot drive down the 101 through Salinas and an agricultural valley. We rush as fast as our little Westy can and make it back to the coast. The ocean and it’s cool breeze is much welcome. Our air conditioning just doesn’t do what it’s supposed to so we don’t even bother with it. I drive a few miles up the coast to San Simeon and find the campground. A sign at the entrance says “Campground Full”. Well I just drove through the hot, stinking day to get here and I’ve got no where else to go so we enter anyway. I let the ranger know that I’m sure he’s got at least one spot left and sure enough, he finds us a spot. Hooray! We find our campsite. The campground is still full from July 4th people. It’s loud and crowded, not ideal. But it is right on the beach, and it is a spot for the night. We’re grateful to be there and enjoy the evening. The boys fly their kite. Randi and I immediately have a beer. We relax by a campfire. Tomorrow we hope to get into Hearst Castle since we don’t have reservations, then it’s a long drive to Flagstaff.
1 comment:
Hope you had a safe trip home. Picture are just great.
You all look terrific.
Speak to you soon.
Love,
Mom
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