Monday, November 3, brought us to the end of our summer trip. We left the Monterey Bay area of California for our home just east of Sacramento, 215 miles away. While we are thrilled to see our friends and family, we are also sad to see the journey come to an end.
The statistics show that we moved about the country perhaps more than we should have. We were in Oregon, Washington state, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Illinois again, then Missouri, Kansas, back to Missouri and Iowa, then to Minnesota. On to Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio and a return to Indiana. Whew! Kentucky, Tennesee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and back to California. Wow.
We drove Nessie exactly 9,800.6 miles, taking 214 hours and 8 minutes, and using 1081.1 gallons of diesel fuel. Nessie averaged 9.1 miles per gallon at an average speed of 45 miles per hour. We were gone exactly five months to the day, arriving home just in time to vote in the November elections.
Gus, our tow car, not only followed along on the 9800 miles, but added another 7,277 miles on his own, traipsing about doing his sightseeing thing.
We have seen things that we never imagined that we would, accidentally been in the right place at the right time to see one of a kind events, and eaten in some of the most wonderful restaurants in the country. We've eaten in Mom and Pop diners, and pricey tourist spots. All had something to recommend them, from the Catfish in Grand Rapids, the Walleye in Minnesota, or the BBQ in Kansas City, but our favorite restaurants on this trip include From Scratch in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, and Double Eagle in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The Navy precision parachuting team in Minnesota, the vistas of the Badlands in South Dakota, the nostalgia of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame are all favorite memories, as are the sight of the freight traffic on the Mississippi at Canton, MO, and the huge ships traversing the locks in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan.
We have met many friendly and wonderful people, as we do on all of our trips. We were handicapped this time because we didn't have a canine companion to break the ice, so to speak, but a smile and a hello go a long way toward starting a conversation.
To all who have come into our lives: Thank You! To all the wonderful sights in this wonderful country: We're so glad you are protected so that we can visit you.
To our family and friends: Thank you for supporting us and making this possible. We can't thank you enough. We look forward to spending hours with you all catching up on what's been happening.
After last winter, when we worried that we may not be able to travel again, we have a renewed appreciation of our opportunities.
And yes, we are planning for next year…….!
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Beachy
Today dawned bright, warm, and clear. After a few days of "iffy" weather, we were delighted to have an opportunity to put on sloppy clothes and go to the beach. All told, we walked about seven miles north toward Santa Cruz and back. The beach was nearly empty except for a few surf fishermen and a million birds.
The surf was high today, with at least four, and sometimes five or six sets of breakers crashing onshore.
And then, strangely quiet.
Pelicans and (baby pelicans?) claimed the higher elevations of the beach.
While other little guys fished the lower areas.
And thousands of little birds with long beaks and super fast legs fished the water line. These little guys could walk faster than most of the other birds could fly.
Later in the day, the park began to fill up with a group of rv'ers that are with a club. We seem to be one of the only non-members left. Things got a little noisy as the Feeblebums yelled at the Wishnwarts about dinner, and the Hocksnotters worried about getting the best site.
Donna and I went back to the beach.
The surf was high today, with at least four, and sometimes five or six sets of breakers crashing onshore.
And then, strangely quiet.
Pelicans and (baby pelicans?) claimed the higher elevations of the beach.
While other little guys fished the lower areas.
And thousands of little birds with long beaks and super fast legs fished the water line. These little guys could walk faster than most of the other birds could fly.
Later in the day, the park began to fill up with a group of rv'ers that are with a club. We seem to be one of the only non-members left. Things got a little noisy as the Feeblebums yelled at the Wishnwarts about dinner, and the Hocksnotters worried about getting the best site.
Donna and I went back to the beach.
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Nostalgia in Carmel
It rained all night and into the morning. We had our coffee in the chairs at the front of the MH watching the neighbors pack up and leave in the bad weather. No, we didn't offer to help. But I did increase the set temp on the heaters so we would be comfortable in sock feet….
About eleven the skies cleared, and we took a short ride into downtown Carmel, CA. This is a small town made famous by Clint Eastwood, who once owned a restaurant here and was elected to a term as mayor. Neither the restaurant nor the city government can claim a relationship with Mr. Eastwood any longer, but the town continues to play on the "famousocity" as a New York couple that we had lunch with told us today.
We turned west off of California's famous Highway One on Ocean Street and followed it through the main streets of Carmel to it's end at the beach. The beach is beautiful and is dog friendly, so we took up a position at a strategic vista point and watched the Saturday morning activities.
This young man was tossing a bright green tennis ball for his Boston Terrier. Later on, while walking through town, we saw him and chatted for awhile. The pup is just a year old and needs "lots of frolicking time". It was great to see a healthy Boston is action!
Carmel has a number of unique shops, as well as the upscale jewelry and clothing stores that we expect in a wealthy area. We walked the downtown eight blocks, checking to make sure there wasn't anything that we needed….
After an early dinner at Flaherty's of seafood Paella, we slid back down to the beach at Marina Dunes State Beach in anticipation of a magnificent sunset. We were not disappointed.
As the sun set, we said a prayer for our dear friend Shirley who, we learned today, passed away last Thursday.
We've known Shirley and her family for almost 40 years, and she was always a gentle, steady, wife and mother. No matter the difficulty, Shirley always prayed for her family and friends and trusted that all would be alright at the end of the day. Shirley was the steady hand that guided her off times unruly family. She will be missed.
As we settled down for the night, we got word that Donna's brother had suffered a severe heart issue this afternoon. Bill was alone at home at the time, and had the presence of mind to call 911 who rushed him to the hospital where he underwent surgery for a blockage and the insertion of a stint. He is resting well and is in good hands, so we pray for his speedy recovery.
A day of highs and lows, wonder and sorrow. The sunset seemed to agree.
About eleven the skies cleared, and we took a short ride into downtown Carmel, CA. This is a small town made famous by Clint Eastwood, who once owned a restaurant here and was elected to a term as mayor. Neither the restaurant nor the city government can claim a relationship with Mr. Eastwood any longer, but the town continues to play on the "famousocity" as a New York couple that we had lunch with told us today.
We turned west off of California's famous Highway One on Ocean Street and followed it through the main streets of Carmel to it's end at the beach. The beach is beautiful and is dog friendly, so we took up a position at a strategic vista point and watched the Saturday morning activities.
This young man was tossing a bright green tennis ball for his Boston Terrier. Later on, while walking through town, we saw him and chatted for awhile. The pup is just a year old and needs "lots of frolicking time". It was great to see a healthy Boston is action!
Carmel has a number of unique shops, as well as the upscale jewelry and clothing stores that we expect in a wealthy area. We walked the downtown eight blocks, checking to make sure there wasn't anything that we needed….
After an early dinner at Flaherty's of seafood Paella, we slid back down to the beach at Marina Dunes State Beach in anticipation of a magnificent sunset. We were not disappointed.
A freshening breeze brought out the para sailers to enjoy the pristine beach.
As the sun set, we said a prayer for our dear friend Shirley who, we learned today, passed away last Thursday.
We've known Shirley and her family for almost 40 years, and she was always a gentle, steady, wife and mother. No matter the difficulty, Shirley always prayed for her family and friends and trusted that all would be alright at the end of the day. Shirley was the steady hand that guided her off times unruly family. She will be missed.
As we settled down for the night, we got word that Donna's brother had suffered a severe heart issue this afternoon. Bill was alone at home at the time, and had the presence of mind to call 911 who rushed him to the hospital where he underwent surgery for a blockage and the insertion of a stint. He is resting well and is in good hands, so we pray for his speedy recovery.
A day of highs and lows, wonder and sorrow. The sunset seemed to agree.
Friday, October 31, 2014
17 Mile Drive
With the weather warm and a bit cloudy, we left Marina Dunes RV Park for a day trip to the famous 17 Mile Drive around the Monterey Peninsula. This area of beautiful California coast has been reserved for the "rich and famous", and contains some of the most beautiful houses, golf courses, and hotels in the world. The peninsula is privately controlled, so a gate at the entrance to the 17 mile drive is staffed by hefty men in uniforms who collect a $10 fee per car for entrance.
A brochure lists 21 points of interest along the drive, with brief descriptions. One of the first stops is near the point of highest elevation on the peninsula and looks out over the bay. Clouds had started to gather, but we got a great photo.
One of the famous golf courses is Poppy Hills. We could only get a long distance shot:
By now the rain had settled in and the clouds looked like the storm would last for awhile. We continued on our drive, and golfers continued with their game. Of course, at the level of these green fees, a raincoat is preferable to not playing!
The variety of animal life along the shore is astounding. Because the area has been protected for a hundred years or more, the birds, seals, and sea lions are comfortable with people and have established nest and "pupping" areas (if you're a seal).
The coastline is unique, and is beautiful.
While across the street one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world awaits …..
I promised that I wouldn't take pictures of the various estates that we passed, but this one caught my eye. The lower home actually is two structures separated by a covered walkway. The home above and to the side appear to have been built in the '70s. Many homes are for sale. For information contact Sotheby's…..
Some of the coastline homes are well hidden, and only hint of their elegance.
And yes, the golfers golfed, even in a driving rain….
Pebble Beach is the only place I've seen where street side timepieces are made by Rolex.
A brochure lists 21 points of interest along the drive, with brief descriptions. One of the first stops is near the point of highest elevation on the peninsula and looks out over the bay. Clouds had started to gather, but we got a great photo.
One of the famous golf courses is Poppy Hills. We could only get a long distance shot:
By now the rain had settled in and the clouds looked like the storm would last for awhile. We continued on our drive, and golfers continued with their game. Of course, at the level of these green fees, a raincoat is preferable to not playing!
The variety of animal life along the shore is astounding. Because the area has been protected for a hundred years or more, the birds, seals, and sea lions are comfortable with people and have established nest and "pupping" areas (if you're a seal).
The coastline is unique, and is beautiful.
While across the street one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world awaits …..
I promised that I wouldn't take pictures of the various estates that we passed, but this one caught my eye. The lower home actually is two structures separated by a covered walkway. The home above and to the side appear to have been built in the '70s. Many homes are for sale. For information contact Sotheby's…..
Past the Crocker Grove of ancient Cypress trees we came to the most photographed tree on the west coast, and perhaps the world; The Lone Cypress.
Over 250 years this Cypress tree has clung to it's rocks, surviving wind, storm and the onslaught of humanity.
The next stop after the Lone Cypress is, appropriately for Halloween, called the Ghost Tree. Several Cypress trees in this area have died, but their bleached bones refuse to fall.
Some of the coastline homes are well hidden, and only hint of their elegance.
The Inn at Pebble Beach looks over Monterey Bay and the Pebble Beach Golf Course. We walked into the sitting room and looked out through huge glass windows. Many wedding ceremonies have been held on or adjacent to the 18th hole.
And yes, the golfers golfed, even in a driving rain….
Pebble Beach is the only place I've seen where street side timepieces are made by Rolex.
Originally began by Bing Crosby, the Pro Am has been played at Pebble Beach for years. A memorial is located in a prominent place at the Inn.
The rain was steady at this point, so we cruised the remainder of the 17 Mile Drive and headed into Monterey for lunch. Of course, we wanted seafood, so a stop at the pier was in order where we stopped at the SandBar and Grill for a couple of bowls of Clam Chowder and an order of crab cakes. Delish!
It's only 7 or 8 miles from Monterey to Marina, so we were home in no time. A cup of coffee seemed to be just the thing, so we stopped at Marina Dunes State Park and watched the interaction of the rain and the waves while enjoying a hot beverage.
Another perfect end to a perfect day!
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Towards Home….A Little
We made it to Avila Beach last night just about sunset. Avila is just a few miles north of Pismo Beach, California, and is more of a working fishing port than Pismo, who's claim to fame originally was an abundance of clams, but now revolves around tourists. We think that Avila is more our style, but the rv park near the pier is owned and operated by the state and charges $65 a night for parking lot camping! Full hookups are available, as well as some dry camping areas (a reduced fee applies). We weren't able to check out all the camp sites as darkness fell, but we saw enough to know that it will be on our to-do list as soon as possible.
This morning dawned partly cloudy and cool. The prediction is for a dramatic change in the warm weather, with rain in the near future. We packed up and left Pismo Coast Village Resort and headed north on US 101.Near Salinas the highway runs through some of the most fertile farmland in the country.
Mile upon mile upon mile of lettuce, cabbage, strawberries and other row crops cover the Salinas valley. Crews were picking in one field while the next field was being readied for cultivation and planting.
One hundred fifty seven miles north we pulled into Marina Dunes RV Park in the little town of Marina, CA. It's a small park, advertised to have many activities and amenities available to guests. The entrance is very narrow, with a sharp turn at the beginning and a reasonably quick turn at the end. Each site is a back in, and with trees on either side, is barely able to accommodate rigs of Nessie's size (43'). Once in, however, it's not a bad site. I do have to add that the wifi is unusable, the cable is fuzzy, and the advertised fire rings are portable metal devices with huge holes burnt through the screens. The beach is a "short walk" from the park (read: pack a lunch), and Highway 1, the Pacific Coast Highway, is roughly 100 feet from the back of the site. On the upside, each site is separated by shrubbery and a small concrete patio with a wood fence around the site. Nice for separating neighbors, but effectively prohibiting conversation with them as well. As we've traveled about the country, staying in a number of rv parks, we have an unofficial rating system. We would rate this park at a 5 on a scale of 10. The sites are nice enough, but the lack of amenities and the $70 per night rate does not justify a higher rating.
We crossed the street into downtown Marina and found a small Starbucks, so we got some coffee and drove to the Marina Dunes State Park to watch a weather front cross the bay, creating some winds that were great for kite flying.
Later, after we returned to our site, I decided to take a walk to the beach while Donna worked on dinner. I knew that I was on the hook to barbecue some steaks, but she had some potatoes to do, so I took off. The weather front had passed and the sun was setting in a bank of clouds.
Once again, as I've said a hundred times as we travel about this beautiful country: A beautiful end to a wonderful day.
This morning dawned partly cloudy and cool. The prediction is for a dramatic change in the warm weather, with rain in the near future. We packed up and left Pismo Coast Village Resort and headed north on US 101.Near Salinas the highway runs through some of the most fertile farmland in the country.
Mile upon mile upon mile of lettuce, cabbage, strawberries and other row crops cover the Salinas valley. Crews were picking in one field while the next field was being readied for cultivation and planting.
One hundred fifty seven miles north we pulled into Marina Dunes RV Park in the little town of Marina, CA. It's a small park, advertised to have many activities and amenities available to guests. The entrance is very narrow, with a sharp turn at the beginning and a reasonably quick turn at the end. Each site is a back in, and with trees on either side, is barely able to accommodate rigs of Nessie's size (43'). Once in, however, it's not a bad site. I do have to add that the wifi is unusable, the cable is fuzzy, and the advertised fire rings are portable metal devices with huge holes burnt through the screens. The beach is a "short walk" from the park (read: pack a lunch), and Highway 1, the Pacific Coast Highway, is roughly 100 feet from the back of the site. On the upside, each site is separated by shrubbery and a small concrete patio with a wood fence around the site. Nice for separating neighbors, but effectively prohibiting conversation with them as well. As we've traveled about the country, staying in a number of rv parks, we have an unofficial rating system. We would rate this park at a 5 on a scale of 10. The sites are nice enough, but the lack of amenities and the $70 per night rate does not justify a higher rating.
We crossed the street into downtown Marina and found a small Starbucks, so we got some coffee and drove to the Marina Dunes State Park to watch a weather front cross the bay, creating some winds that were great for kite flying.
Later, after we returned to our site, I decided to take a walk to the beach while Donna worked on dinner. I knew that I was on the hook to barbecue some steaks, but she had some potatoes to do, so I took off. The weather front had passed and the sun was setting in a bank of clouds.
Once again, as I've said a hundred times as we travel about this beautiful country: A beautiful end to a wonderful day.
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Duck Dynasty
Lazy day today, with breakfast at Mon Ami downtown Pismo Beach. This is a small crepe shop with a limited menu, but the staff is friendly and the crepes or waffles are cooked right before your eyes. Donna had the Sunrise crepe and I ordered a Belgian waffle. Both were very good, but the glass of water tasted somewhat like it came from a rain barrel. Maybe that's the ambiance of the place. Food was good, though, and Donna said the coffee was excellent.
A bit of shopping in Arroyo Grande, just a few miles down the road, stocked us up of enough food to make it home in a few days. We're hoping to make it to Avila Beach tonight for the sunset, and should be close, because Avila is just 7 miles up the coast, and it's not yet 5 as I write this.
The photo highlight of the day was the resident flock of ducks. These guys cruise the park, up one street and down another, all day long looking for a handout. We obliged.
Beautiful birds, if a bit assertive about the food bits that we threw them! The males kept each other and the females at a distance by pecking at appropriate times, and it was soon obvious which one was the "boss"! However, every once in awhile, one of the "outsiders" would sneak in to beg!
Off tomorrow for another adventure. Stay tuned!
A bit of shopping in Arroyo Grande, just a few miles down the road, stocked us up of enough food to make it home in a few days. We're hoping to make it to Avila Beach tonight for the sunset, and should be close, because Avila is just 7 miles up the coast, and it's not yet 5 as I write this.
The photo highlight of the day was the resident flock of ducks. These guys cruise the park, up one street and down another, all day long looking for a handout. We obliged.
Beautiful birds, if a bit assertive about the food bits that we threw them! The males kept each other and the females at a distance by pecking at appropriate times, and it was soon obvious which one was the "boss"! However, every once in awhile, one of the "outsiders" would sneak in to beg!
Off tomorrow for another adventure. Stay tuned!
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