April 15th –
April 21st 2013
LAST WEEK IN CALIFORNIA
We
still did not have next assignment lined up. J. had her last three
days of work (pretty bad days unfortunately). We did some packing and
preparations but it was really hard as we were not sure what was
going to happen. There were few small possibilities for Alaska, but
they did quickly disappear and we were getting further and further
from our Alaska adventure. We briefly contemplated Portland, Oregon,
but after we got the procedure for the reinstatement of the license,
we had to leave that alone. At that point we were already looking at
east coast (Vermont, New York …). It was (probably) like riding a
roller coaster, up and down, a bit of hope for Alaska and then
nothing. Very early on Thursday, J. got phone call from Syracuse, New
York state and later call them back and went through the interview.
They offered her a job starting May 9th.
As everything else failed and we liked the idea of staying up state
New York, we took the offer. We had our next destination: Syracuse,
New York state. J. had some sorting with her recruiter (formal offer,
conditions and paperwork), but around the noon we were more less set
and we decided to spent a night in Monterey. We packed quickly and
lightly and left. We took 101 south and then drove towards Monterey.
We stopped on the first beach that was along the road. It was sunny
and nice, by the ocean it was breezy. It was beautiful picture, we
will definitely miss this. We continued to the town, it was all
familiar (as we visited the place before). We drove through the
Cannery Row and then parked by Fishermans Wharf. We walked there,
looked for canned clam chowder (to buy for dad), unfortunately they
were out. We saw the seals in the water, it was pretty and funny. J.
was hungry, so we picked one restaurant and had fish and chips, we
were sitting on the terrace outside overlooking the dock for a
tourists boats and a platform with the seals. Nice lunch. We drove to
Pacific Grove, J. was somewhat disappointed with the town (she was
expecting cute down town which was not there). We did not have any
plan, so we did some thinking and drove towards Carmel.
Short
drive, sunny and warm. We got to the town, it was probably mid
afternoon so it was kind of busy, J. got a phone call from her
recruiter (not the greatest signal). We parked and she talked. Always
something. We drove through the main street with all the shops (did
not stop as we seen it before). We enjoyed the drive along the ocean,
we stopped once (J. was dreaming about having one of the houses
here). It was really incredible, beautiful, there was super blue
ocean and the picture was just so amazing. At the end of the drive,
there was small state beach with the pond and some marsh land. We
parked and walked for quite a while along the beach. One of our last
beach walks in California. There was nothing special, it was just
pretty much empty and so peaceful. We walked back along the bluff and
the pond. It was a fresh water. Further down the road, there was
former ranch that was used as a hotel and restaurant and somehow
connected to Cling Eastwood (I think). We stopped there last time
(but did not find anything else than nice resort property). We
stopped again, walked through a bit and again did not find anything
else than nice resort property (with sheep). As the day was getting
the its end, we got back on the main road and drove to Monterey to
our motel. Again and again, we will miss this part of California very
much.
Friday,
we woke up without the alarm clock and took it easy (no plans except
to enjoy our last days in California). It was probably around nine
o'clock when we left the motel and were heading to the 17 mile road
and Pebble beach. We visited the place before and found it lovely, so
we were repeating the visit. We paid the fee and went through the
gate to this “exclusive” community. We got over priced and not
very good coffee at the local market (we need coffee to start the
day). Because of the real estate market in Syracuse we were trying to
find the place on our own and get some extra money (as J.'s company
sets the budget and uses it). So we were trying to talk to some
people who were offering places for rent in Syracuse. Not easy.
Meanwhile we were enjoying the drive and the ocean. We stopped few
times and J. was picking up shells and rocks (we will have a nice
collection from California). Oh well, it was the time to enjoy the
life as much as possible (and no plans). The views were just
unbeatable, the ocean on one side and few houses and golf course on
the other one. We even saw few deer along the road. And baby ducks on
the pond. We talked to some people in Syracuse and liked the place
(as much as possible without seeing it), we tried to figure out the
way to rent it from California (we had to send a deposit). So much
fun. The road ended in Monterey, we made a stop at antique shop (J.
had a field day), she bought something and as it took her forever we
got parking ticket. Not so much fun. Buzz kill. I got mad because I
was pushing her from the store but she did not go. It passed in a
while. It was past one o'clock so we left the town and were heading
home via Santa Cruz. We still enjoyed the views, a bit of ocean and a
lot of fields (and people working on those). We did not stop in Santa
Cruz, we missed our turn though. Cross the hills (mountains). And in
less then 40 minutes we were back in big town.
Because
we did not stop anywhere else, we were kind of early so we were
heading to San Jose's rose garden. We visited the garden few months
ago, but the roses were not blooming yet. Lately we saw many roses in
bloom in peoples yards, so we were going to see if the garden was in
bloom. The garden is a bit strange, between the main road, close to
the airport, but at least it is there. We parked and were surprised
by the heat. It was really hot. And … wait for it … the garden
was blooming. There are hundreds and hundreds of roses planted in the
circle, so it was really impressive and colorful picture. We both
enjoy the nature and plants, so we walked many circles around and
around. It looked like the garden needs some work done, but it was
still really beautiful. We spent quite a while there and I got decent
sun burn. We drove home afterward and did some packing. We could not
believe we were getting to leave again. We were not sure about
Saturday and we spent it mostly at home. We had to sent our
apartment's security deposit, but other that that we just sorted some
stuff, I did bunch of packing and J. had to do some paperwork for her
next assignment. Kind of lazy day.
On Sunday, we drove to San Francisco.
It was probably around 9.02 am when we left the house and head north
on 101. We decided to stay on 101 all the way through the town. The
freeway ends and kind of blends into the streets. It was pretty
interesting drive, we did not drive this way before. There was some
traffic, but t was not too bad and we enjoy driving through the city.
Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. We stopped by the vista point (to
use the bathroom). It was full of people (nice day and Sunday). From
there we drove along the coast east. There was Marin Park and light
house. We ended up on the top of the hill and enjoy the views of the
city. It was incredible. At one point, the road went one way and was
18% grade downhill. There was sharp turn downhill and we could see
just the ocean. It was kind of uncomfortable. Few stops along the
way, really nice weather, warm and sunny and the best views ever. We
stopped by the visitors center for Marin Park.
We looked around the visitor's center,
but there was not much. We found a leaflet for a Marine Sanctuary
just down the road. We drove there, the road was under construction
but we kept going and found the perfect parking spot next to the
entrance (there were people parked quarter mile away). It was newer
building, we talked to the lady by the entrance, apparently they have
around 170 animals and if possible they release them. There were some
information boards and two platforms overlooking the medical part
with the animals. You could not see much, but some of the visible
seals looked really sad. There was not much to the visit, but it was
very interesting. Another mile or maybe less and we parked next to
the beach. There was a lot of people (hundreds and hundreds). It was
a bit breezy, but sunny and nice. We walked along the beach (probably
last walk along the beach) and enjoyed it.
Another couple miles or so and there
was a light house (open just on weekends for three hours).
Surprisingly packed (we had to park quite far). Around half a mile
walk (too many people), some school children, so it was less
enjoyable. There was even a small tunnel (with the door). The light
house was on the tip of the land and we had to cross several smaller
bridges. Some amazing views. Some seals down by the ocean (the walk
way was pretty high). The light house was kind of small and there was
not much to see (unfortunately), but it was still pretty nice. Walk
back to the parking lot. Really warm. From there we drove back to the
freeway 101 and continue to the other side of it, where was Fort
Baker. There was a lodge, restaurant and bunch of other monkey
business. We parked along the waterfront and J. called her friend who
is living in the city. After a while we were able to figure out time
and place to meet her (and her husband). Young people … just
getting married and falling in love. We enjoyed the view (city),
ocean and beautiful weather for a bit longer and then just head to
the city.
We were supposed to meet close to
Hippie town (Ashbury). It was quite a drive, but it was not too bad
and in a way enjoyable. We had troubles to park (no space), so we
ended up several blocks away and had to feed a meter (even on
Sunday). We walk to the place where we were supposed to meet (we were
early). We looked around, sit down for a bit and enjoyed ourselves as
much as we could (our last day in Bay area). They were pretty timely
and we found a place near by to have a meal (between lunch and
dinner). It was pleasant meal and talk with them. Unfortunately she
had to go quite soon to do some more work (you go to fancy school and
get a degree to work so much, what a hell). Still, it was great we
could meet them before we left. It was almost six o'clock, but we
drove through the city (more less along the 49 mile scenic city
drive) to get to Twin Peaks (second highest point in the city). It
took a while to get there, but when we finally parked there and could
see the city, we were pretty much speech less. It was amazingly
incredible, it is impossible to describe without standing on the Twin
Peaks and looking down. …......... Get on freeway and head south to
Sunnyvale. We did some more packing and put some stuff into the car.
More less ready to leave, tomorrow.
