Just a week after the trip to Europe, I found myself on another plane with Steve going to Monterey! We left on Friday evening at 6:45 from Long Beach, and took an oh so very very long plane ride to Monterey, arriving at 7:30 pm. His parents were there to pick us up and greet us. It was an early night and we tuckered out after dinner that evening.
The following morning Steve's parents (Mr. and Mrs. Lukes), Steve and I went out to dinner in Carmel-by-the-Sea at the "Little Swiss Cafe". It was a great breakfast, and the cafe was so cute with its custom paintings on the walls. Afterwards, Steve and I drove along the coast looking out at the stormy weather, and drove around the houses looking at the cottages. We even stopped at an Open House, but what a price! Just a tad bit out of anyone's price range. But the area is so cute nonetheless. We then headed out along PCH. It stayed extremely overcast all morning, and did not clear up until the afternoon. But it made for some really neat photos of the road and the hills.
my chauffeur ;-)
(yes we were snacking, no it was not my idea to eat Reese's but I gave in)
the clouds really made it look amazing
not quite sure if I trust this private chauffeur anymore, looks a little silly to me...
okay, that's a little more normal
Steve drove all the way down to Big Sur, and we just drove to relax. On the way back home we stopped over at Cannery Row for a quick tour. Seeing as we were going back the next day we didn't stay too long. And of course, as we were walking around there, I had to take a quick Starbucks pitstop (hey it was cold out what can I say). Then when we got back to the house, there was the USC game on. We had ourselves a little football shindig with homemade guacamole (please make that anytime you are over now Steve) and drinks. To stretch out before dinner, and after all those snack, we headed out to the backyard to play some ping pong. What a strenuous physical activity! After the game his parents took us out to dinner in Salinas at a Mexican restaurant. We then proceeded to eat way too much. That about did us in and we called it an early night again.
On Sunday, we had a FULL day planned. First stop in the morning was church. The four of us went to church out in Salinas. Then instead of having a Birthday lunch for his mom, we went out to sightsee some more, since the plans changed and we were going to do a dinner instead. On our way out to sightsee Steve showed me Laguna Seca. Some cars were out there practicing. It would be so much fun to go for an actual race!
the track
attempting to get photos as the cars flew by in the straightaway
After the track, we headed down to Fishermans Wharf in the heart of Monterey. Luckily the sun came out first thing in the morning, which made it wonderful to walk around. It was still quite chilly, but of course being from sunny So Cal anything is cold.
the harbor
Fishermans Wharf
tour boats taking off
some photos from the edge of the pier
a quick self photo
the sun was in both of our eyes (and it was windy).....but I just had to post it anyway
this one is for little Baya!!!
Along the coast there is a really great bike path you can walk. I guess it goes really far, so we took a walk down that path for a while. Steve got some great photos as we walked along there.
a side view of Fishermans Wharf pier
ok didn't know this was taken, gee thanks for sticking me in there Stephen
the pelicans just hanging out
After Fishermans Wharf Steve and I went to Cannery Row and over to the Aquarium. I'd never been so it was completely new experience for me. First we had lunch at the restaurant overlooking the ocean. The first exhibit right there by the restaurant was the Otters. They seemed to be having a blast in their tubs.
And this otter found himself a little snack. So he was just hanging out floating on his back, munching away.
After that, we walked around and saw the Kelp Forest, with plenty of sharks and other fish.
There are areas that you can walk under a glass walkway, then when the waves come and crash in, water comes over the glass. It was really actually trippy to be under there.
the outside view of the glass walkway
We reached the penguin exhibit just at feeding time. The little "suit guys" as I call them, seemed to be putting on a show for us waiting to get their food.
At the end of the visit there was a really great view of the large aquarium. Here, standing on the bridge looking down, you can get a really good look at the under-water world.
back outside on Cannery Row
After the visit to Cannery Row we headed back to the house. Mrs. Lukes had prepared tri-tip, mushrooms, corn on the cob and potatoes. Talk about a fantastic homemade meal. Then afterwards she had made a coconut cake, and we put candles on it to sing Happy Birthday to her. I hope she had a fun evening! (despite having to cook the meal herself :-/) Seeing as Steve and I are both usually healthy eaters, and work out quite a bit, we couldn't hold it in any longer. After the meal, we headed over for a late night workout. Afterwards we had to call it a night and get out suitcases packed, seeing as we were up early the next morning for the flight home.
Monday morning came, and our flight was at 10am. Luckily having already done the suitcase the night before, we could all sit down for breakfast before Mr. and Mrs. Lukes dropped us off. (the sad indication that the weekend trip was over)
It was a really fun and exciting weekend. It was so much fun getting to see new places with someone that grew up there. That's the best way to travel, having a person that knows the in's and out's of the area. So one more trip has come and gone :-( But hopefully there will be many more trips in the near future, this girl can't stay still for too long!
here's just a quick clip taken at the aquarium:
We all got ready and took a little photoshoot...
