MONTEREY, DAY 3

Saturday, January 13^th 2013

Monterey, 50 miles south on Hwy 1, cross the range, San Mateo

We actually had our alarm clock set, so we would be out relatively early (J. is never happy about this). We made it out pretty quickly, very similar morning to yesterday's one. Drive to Fisherman's wharf (another must see tourist attraction). We took wrong turn, but couple of turns and we were there. We took walk on the wharf (just to remember that we were there those 5 years ago). It was still nice, sun coming up and sea animals really close. Good start of the day.

We left the town and got on Hwy 1. Shortly after leaving Carmel behind us, we turned into Point Lobos State Reserve. Paid 10 dollars, being asked where we were from (Michigan). This lady was noticed (and asked) about my country. After I said Czech, she pulled out the leaflet about the park in Czech language. That was pretty funny. As well, her husband was originally from Potasky, Michigan. Small world.

Short drive (the park was pretty small) to the diving site. We did not know that, until we arrived on the small parking lot and found about 15 cars with people changing into diving gear. Fun. We drove to another parking lot, parked and walked Cyprus trail. The views were unreal and so beautiful. The trail was less then a mile. And flat, so it was so pleasant. Sun was up and there were almost no clouds. Finally, the weather that we came here for.

We had to come back to the parking lot and I asked the ranger (volunteer) something. J. meanwhile came to the lot too (she was goofing with camera) and we talked to the guy for about ten minutes. We as well discovered, that we can borrow (against car keys) binoculars. With those, we walked on Seal trail. We actually dropped down to the ocean and could watch seals (or sea lions) on two rocks. And ocean … being really pleasant and graceful. We came back, bought some postcards and drove to the last parking lot in the park.

We did not really change, but anyway, our picture:

 The last trail (for us, the park had more trail) was China rock trail. Another nice walk with the views of the coast (seeing south). It was so pretty, peaceful and relaxing, that we did not want to leave, but we had about 50 miles of coast to drive along. And at the end, about 3.5 hours of drive to home.

Really nice road winding along the ocean (sometimes passing along few houses), sometimes we lost the sight of water, sometimes, we were really close. Another place for pictures was Bixby bridge. In that case, I was not sure about the appeal of it. But who knows? It was still nice.

And driving … we stopped many times and just looked down and around. It was amazingly beautiful. There were some cars and people doing the same as we did, but it was not too bad. In the park, when we were talking to the ranger, he said that summer is pretty ugly (cold and foggy). Funny.
 

Big Sur. There were some buildings, general store and some restaurants. It was kind of goofy place. We stopped, J. went into one artsy hippy store and then got coffee. We got a map as well, but it was not much helpful. We as well drove into Big Sur State Park, just to discover, that majestic entrance was kind of deceiving. The park had some trail, but they were too long for us, so we just drove to the end, saw big redwood “Colonial tree” (we had hard time to find it) and got back on main road. Kind of disappointing.

There was supposed to be hidden gem, Pfeiffer beach. We found unmarked road (really narrow) and drove two miles to the beach. It was interesting drive, dark, forest and so narrow. At the end (after driving through the river) we found out, that Forest Service rents the site out and we had to pay five dollars (really?). We did and walked on the beach. It would be nice place for brunch or something like that, but did not have much appeal for us.

Next one was Julia Pfeiffer State Park with the waterfall. I thought that we would be able to walk to the beach and see it up close. We walked, saw the fall from the overlook, but there was no way down. Another disappointment. We made some sandwiches and eat there. The coast was still beautiful, but last few sites were kind of mediocre. Too bad.

The day was really flying by. We were getting pretty close to the end of our coast drive. The last thing, that I found was newer state park called Limekiln. Apparently former industrial site transformed into the park. After almost missing some things, we were looking for clues and still enjoying the ocean, the views and the beauty of it.

Finally we found it. It was small road sign and tiny road down almost below the bridge. So easy to miss. We used our Point Lobos ticket ( you pay once in a day for state parks), the ranger gave us a map, told us they would close at five and that Waterfall trail has some nice bridges. Great.

We parked (there was space for maybe 12 cars) and walked through the campground (about 4 tents there). It was really pleasant site (forest and creek). The trail was pretty nice and we were hoping for better site then the ones before. There was a group with older people and child and as well a couple of our age. Two of us came to the intersection and wanted to follow the sign for the falls. We had one problem, there was no bridge to cross the creek. Finally we found a board (about 10 inches wide). After that, we had to cross the creek three times, and there was no board. We found some rocks or logs or big branches used as a crossing. Really funny, how the ranger was sarcastic. Yet, it was really great. And the fall at the end was beautiful. In few minutes, we were disturbed by bunch of hippies.

They call this a bridge:

The next trail let to the kiln area. It was pretty short (good for us, as we were running out of time) and flat. I could not imagine, where we are going to find those kilns or even how it is going to look like. In few moments, I had my answer. It is incredible to see, what nature will do with industrial site over time. Great.

Quick walk back, J. was taking some pictures and staying behind. We got back to the car and left. We had few miles on Hwy 1, and were looking for the road to cross the hills. In those few miles, we saw a road, it was tiny and narrow and we almost missed it. We were thinking for a second, as we were not sure about it. At the end, there was not supposed to be any other road for tens and tens of miles, so we did not really have choice. We said good bey to ocean.

The road … was just awesome. It was like out terrible mountain roads. Narrow, twisty and next to the steep cliff. I do not like those roads. I was saying that I will pee my pants (I did not). It was just great, turn and turn and turn. And up, up, up, up … and up.

We had some doubts about the road, but did not have any choice. So we kept driving and tried to enjoy it. Well, J. did, she was making fun of me (as I was not really comfortable). Finally, we were on the top and started driving down. It was really nice (first the views of ocean), then the forest around us. Unfortunately, it was getting darker and I just wanted to be on freeway (101). The road got better and we had some fun, when we got to the gate to the army area. It was cover construction over the road, sign and much better road. Well, we drove, the speed limit increased and we were moving along. It was interesting (very empty) country. J. was not comfortable with us driving on army land. Finally, we hit double gate (and left the army land). The road got worse. The intersection and about 18 miles to the freeway. It became dark. And … about two hours on the freeway heading home.

It was pretty fine drive, there was not much along the road. J. was falling asleep, so I just kept driving. Conclusion: it was great amazing trip.

MONTEREY, DAY 2

Friday, January 12^th 2013

Monterey Aquarium, 17 mile road, Carmel

There was light frost on our car. It was foggy and pretty cold (I guess for California). We just made some sandwiches for breakfast and then drove to Aquarium. We were pretty lucky and parked on the street very close to the entrance. (Metered parking.) There were at least two buses of school children (really noisy). Other then that, it looked fine.

We just went through the entrance (as we had passes-nice-thank you). At that point, there were more staff people then visitors (entrance lobby). We were looking at map, were told that penguins would have their feeding in 15 minutes. We were (by family) told to see octopus first (as he is lazy and does not move much). I guess we were pretty lucky, because both octopuses were pretty active and amazing. Nice beginning.

Too many people already waiting for penguin's feeding. Four people inside, talking and feeding them small fish. There was as well one poor penguin, who was loosing all the feathers. He looked funny. It was sunny and pretty nice outside (while waiting I was looking around and from the windows).

Fish hiding or living in the rocks:

Whole bunch of sardines:

There were two sections of the exhibit about jelly fish. J. really loves the jelly fish, so we spent there a looooong time. It was interesting and pretty, but …

Next to jelly fish was an exhibit about sea horses.

Hmmm, sand dollars:

Among all the interesting things, hiding fishes:

There was as well smaller (separated) exhibit, where they had fish and some birds. We were walking less then three feet from those birds and they did not move.

We spent about three hours in the aquarium. It was amazing. Some additional finds:

Our next adventure was 17 mile drive (and Pebble beach, exclusive community and golf course, apparently). We drove from Monterey, via Pacific Growth to Pebble beach (all together). As a desired tourist destination, the whole area and 17 mile drive, it is gated community and you have to pay 9.75 to drive on ti. There are actual gates and guarded stations. Interesting. Even it was somewhat windy, we saw many golfers.

I guess, J. just could not help herself:

One of the many stops (for our fee we received a map) was a bird rock. There were many birds, sea lions and sea otters. They were too far for good look (but we already saw many of those animals). The beach was beautiful, the view was unbelievable. Just a dream. J. had to again goof around the beach and found lonely sea otter just lying on the beach. She called me and we were standing probably 4 feet away and watching that funny animal. It was incredible. J. was worried about the otter and called the aquarium (there is a line to report injured or stranded otters). They told her that it was fine (unless the animal was bleeding or had trouble breathing). Interesting, it is so easy to talk to somebody about the otter, but try to call your bank (or other office).

We continued along the road. It was really enjoyable experience (including all the houses around). It had to be nice to live here. Other stop (one of the most photographed, apparently again), was Lone Cyprus tree. It was nice. More interesting was the sign saying, that the image is protected as a trademark and cannot be commercially used. Really?!?

Obviously, we tried to see as much as we could, so we ended up driving through the golf course and club, to access a beach. It was strange, there was like 15 free public parking spaces, in the middle of course and close to the beach. More a coast line. Strange.

After that, we left 17 mile road and drove towards Carmel. Along the way, we saw some interesting houses and even some interesting roofs. Who knew, that roof could be interesting.

We stopped by the beach. We as well remembered, that we visited this beach about 5 years ago, when we were in California visiting J.'s sister. We talked to some couple (briefly), because they had long hair dachshund dog. Funny. It was getting colder and the evening was coming really fast. We finished driving along the coast, got to see some more incredible views and houses and ended up by the Carmel mission. It was about half an hour before closing, so we did not go in. We drove back to town and took the walk around the downtown Carmel (high end shops, including Rolex).

As the sunset was approaching, we drove back to the beach, but there was too many clouds to have really nice view of it. We still saw really nicely colored sky. After that, we drove back to Monterey, stopped by the store again (to get some food) and watched television for a while.