2017 CROSS-COUNTRY ROAD TRIP - APRIL 26TH, 2017

APRIL 26TH, 2017 

We left the hotel in Marina (California) at 9.02 a.m., with an odometer reading of 52754. 

9.40 a.m. we arrived in Monterey.  Thirty-five years ago we lived here for two years, and have enjoyed coming back every few years or so.  It is one place we would have enjoyed settling down in.

12.06 p.m. we had a lovely drive around Monterey and Carmel.  There is a painting in our bedroom of the Carmel Mission.  Wherever we lived we bought a piece of art to remember a place.  A lady was giving an exhibition and our painting was one she had on sale.  I remember her well.  We drove by the mission just now.

This photo shows The Green Gables Inn.  It would be really nice to stay here.  The rooms look wonderful, and it has a great view of the Monterey Bay.  (Anything that has red letters in my posts, you can click on them and it will take you to more information.)  

We also stopped for breakfast and I ordered an Acai Bowl topped with bananas, strawberries and blueberries. Delicious! 

Gregg was a little perplexed at the size of his waffle that took over half an hour to cook.  We both looked at it quite seriously.  I told him it was good portion control and he laughed.  

We were in an area we used to love walking in.  It's a place we brought our son when he was still in his push chair, overlooking the ocean.

Gregg talked to an Iranian couple after they asked him to take their photo.  The gentleman talked to him at some length about his life in Iran over 38 years ago.  Gregg is always curious and asked a lot of questions.  He found their conversation very interesting, and said they were a real nice couple.  I was oblivious to this conversation as I had already moved on, and was taking photographs of ground squirrels and seagulls.

One particular seagull intrigued me.  I saw a lot of single seagulls perched on the roofs of cars around here.  This one didn't seem disturbed by my presence, and only paid me momentary attention, until....

he told me to get lost, which I did.

The ground squirrels were all around and also used to people.

1.57 p.m. we had lunch at The Big Sur River Inn and Restaurant, not too far up the road.

It was a great stop. They had a wonderful display of flowers out front.  

The California Poppy was the main star...

but there were other contenders.

Gregg said his burger was outstanding, best on the trip so far.  I had an excellent portobello sandwich with avocado, tomatoes, red onion, lettuce and sweet potato fries.  We are eating very well on this trip!  No photos this time, not sure why.  It was a very pretty setting and we chose a seat outside.  Inside was very pretty too.

2.27 p.m. we have driven 4,464 miles.

4.08 p.m. we have arrived at Gregg's sister and brother-in-law's place.  It is the first time we have seen it since she and her husband moved there, and it Is a charming home. She has it very tastefully decorated.  We enjoyed looking at her collection of photos of the family through the years.  (We also enjoyed sitting out in the garden during our stay.)  It is hard to comprehend that we will be in one place for a few days.