I got out there on Sat the 8th early enough in day that I got to see the sun out and see some of Monterey.
Sunday the 9th we unloaded and set up. Monday we had rehearsal all day, worked out kinks and then did show - VERY long day! On Tuesday we loaded the truck and I was off on my own at noon.
As I do not have a major cc not tied to my checking account I had problems getting a rental car. Then after literally having to validate even my bosses job and why i was out there, i could not get one till next day. i was sorta disappointed, but after only having 9 hours sleep in previous 3 days knew it was Lord;s way of telling me to go to bed. That brings me to finding a place to park the truck, not!! Too many people in that cramped part of the state where it was OH so NICE and KOOL!!! So I found a motel.
On Wed I got up and was so happy that the fog was lifted all the way to the mountains. Went to get rental car and had to wait and wait. after awhile got upgraded to a brand new Chevy SUV they just got from the dealer - WOO HOO!! So glad I got err made the decision to rent a car as trying to navigate the small narrow roads, the parks I went to, and trying to park to get pictures with the truck would have been a real nitemare!! Especially considering the way those people ot there drive - LOL!
After I got car I went south towards Big Sur and the Redwoods. WOW!! I stopped at every public access beach to the ocean, every turn out there was to park to see and take pictures then I got to Big sur. i then hiked a couple trails and headed back north.
I then stopped at Point Lobos reserve area where I hiked couple trails again and took tons of wonderful pictures. I then went on the disappointing 17 mile drive and was quite beat and hungry by this time.
I then thought The Black Bear Diner sounded good and let me tell ya, that is some place to eat!! Ask Lynne, well should I say her ds!!
I died when got back to the room. Thu I got up and here wa the fog. oh well so goes the weather ot there! I then took off u north to Santa Cruz, of course stopping everywhere i could. Did not do any hikes that day as I was still beat and figured I did not need the exercise. I saw the beaches around Santa Cruz and watched for about 2 hours the surfers, from the beginners to the experiences ones. So awesome!! I then found this research facility and toured it. Made my excitement for the visit with Lynne's family to the aquarium even worse!!
I stopped at few fruit stands and bought some fruit to eat. Yum YUM! Strawberries were being picked and cherries. Lynne and her family arrived about 5 pm as I was walking back in the nice pleasant weather from returning car. We went down to the harbor area and ate.YUM YUM!!
On Fri we got up and went to the aquarium. All that I can say it is more than worth the $25 admission to see. We were there ALL DAY!! Lucky I guess as the fog stayed around. we then went to the 2nd oldest operating litehouse and eat at the Black Bear diner - YUM YUM!!
Sat we went to the most pilgrimage mission in the US and the second oldest one in California, the Carmel mission. I was so shocked to learn Lynne's dh was Catholic and they had never visited a mission before. He was really moved and Learned so much fro him and thoroughly enjoyed what I learned from the whole area i general.
After the mission we decided to try and do some shopping. They had a local craft store which had some scrapping stuff. Lynne and I saw one of the new Zyron diecut machines there. It looked much better and more value than the cricut. We were not satisfied so decided to go to Salinas where we knew there was a lss. see previous post. We ate a hole in the wall Mexican restaurant that the lss owner recommended. YUM YUM! and more food than we knew to do with too.
On Sun we got up and went to Black Bear diner - YUM YUM!! We were all pretty much still full from previous days eatings that we really did not want much but ate anyhow - LOL! We then said our goodbyes and off to work I went.
We again unloaded the truck and set up. On Mon we had rehearsal late and the show.between show and rehearsal we had couple hours and sun again had come out so boss wanted to see couple local easy to get to sites so I took them to the lighthouse.
On tuesday of course we loaded up and i left for home. After just 40 miles reaching t coastal mountain boy did it get hot quick!! I drove longer than I should have but wanted to TRy a nd get out of most of desert and heat at night while it was cooler - NOT!! Got to Needles where it was 114 that da and at midnite was still 100. WOW!!
Yes trucks have ac, but in mountains they generate so much heat, yo need to shut off a/c and open windows. New trucks now it they get to the hot range, the computer will shut then down and they will not restart until they are cool again. That is why you see so many trucks at the summit or just past it in many places!! So as drivers we do ot have it easy either and you better watch that temp gauge!! So yes it was danged HOT.
I got home on Thursday nite and Friday here in OKC we had a record 110 where i worked out in t all that day unloading trailers. Almost had heat exhaustion, literally.
So that is the extent of my trip and I have a ton of pix to sort yet on the camera and get cds made or several people yet and try to get some posted.
So hope this is ok and sorry it s long (with me I know hat is normal!!
OKC Dave
Check out my pix and crafts!