Drive to Monterey July 27 2008

Tillie Gorts. Voted the best place in Monterey for vegetarian meals, for low-fat dining, for healthy dining, or all of the above pretty much every year for the last 20 years or so. They also ...

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:27:28 -0700

elf1
Tillie Gorts. Voted the best place in Monterey for vegetarian meals, for low-fat dining, for healthy dining, or all of the above pretty much every year for the last 20 years or so. They also ...

After visiting the Presidio (where I was soundly repelled for trying to take photos on a military base, even though there was a cute spotted fawn RIGHT THERE in front of us), we drove wayyyy ...

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:27:40 -0700

elf1
After visiting the Presidio (where I was soundly repelled for trying to take photos on a military base, even though there was a cute spotted fawn RIGHT THERE in front of us), we drove wayyyy ...

The Cannery Row area is overflowing with entertaining things to look at. This restaurant has not only a sign, but a boat, too.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:27:50 -0700

elf1
The Cannery Row area is overflowing with entertaining things to look at. This restaurant has not only a sign, but a boat, too.

Who could resist these statue-like seagulls on these vent pipes?

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:28:04 -0700

elf1
Who could resist these statue-like seagulls on these vent pipes?

Sis and Bro-in-law strolling past the Monterey Canning Co building. No more canning goes on here, though.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:28:13 -0700

elf1
Sis and Bro-in-law strolling past the Monterey Canning Co building. No more canning goes on here, though.

While they wait for their photographer fiend--er, friend--to catch up, this nice lady comes by and provides coupons for $$ off Ghirardelli sundaes! How sweet! Considering... guess where we'r ...

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:28:22 -0700

elf1
While they wait for their photographer fiend--er, friend--to catch up, this nice lady comes by and provides coupons for $$ off Ghirardelli sundaes! How sweet! Considering... guess where we'r ...

Yessss! Ghirardelli chocolateer. And the hot-fudge sundaes were tasty, too.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:28:35 -0700

elf1
Yessss! Ghirardelli chocolateer. And the hot-fudge sundaes were tasty, too.

Bro-in-law and sis do a little artsy fartsy window shopping on their way through.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:28:48 -0700

elf1
Bro-in-law and sis do a little artsy fartsy window shopping on their way through.

Next, we went to investigate the brand-new luxury hotel taking up both sides of the street.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:28:57 -0700

elf1
Next, we went to investigate the brand-new luxury hotel taking up both sides of the street.

In all my decades living in this area, it has only been in recent weeks that I've ever seen weather forecasts with "smoke" as the primary weather pattern. Like today's, on the hotel board. C ...

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:29:08 -0700

elf1
In all my decades living in this area, it has only been in recent weeks that I've ever seen weather forecasts with "smoke" as the primary weather pattern. Like today's, on the hotel board. C ...

The lobby restrooms were very nice, with little messages saying basically WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH WATER TO GO AROUND! CONSERVE IT!

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:29:22 -0700

elf1
The lobby restrooms were very nice, with little messages saying basically WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH WATER TO GO AROUND! CONSERVE IT!

The lobby was spacious and also came equipped with sis and bro-in-law. Waiting again.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:29:34 -0700

elf1
The lobby was spacious and also came equipped with sis and bro-in-law. Waiting again.

More of the lobby, looking out at Monterey Bay.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:29:43 -0700

elf1
More of the lobby, looking out at Monterey Bay.

We parked on the fourth floor of the parking garage. I walked up. They rode the elevators.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:29:55 -0700

elf1
We parked on the fourth floor of the parking garage. I walked up. They rode the elevators.

Then we sat in stop and go traffic for 2 hours. Took 2 and a half hours to make the 75-minute drive home. Yoiks. We drove among fields of many varieties, including these seemingly endless ar ...

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:30:08 -0700

elf1
Then we sat in stop and go traffic for 2 hours. Took 2 and a half hours to make the 75-minute drive home. Yoiks. We drove among fields of many varieties, including these seemingly endless ar ...

There's plenty of free parking--apparently right on the highway (as you can see on the left). Right before the Moss Landing power plant.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:30:19 -0700

elf1
There's plenty of free parking--apparently right on the highway (as you can see on the left). Right before the Moss Landing power plant.

I didn't have any choice in my shots--whatever I could get, dodging from one side of the rear seat to the other as traffic moved and stopped. Here, a couple of egrets in Elkhorn Slough.

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:30:32 -0700

elf1
I didn't have any choice in my shots--whatever I could get, dodging from one side of the rear seat to the other as traffic moved and stopped. Here, a couple of egrets in Elkhorn Slough.

And this gaudy castle by the site of Highway 1 along the way. And...that's it for this trip!

nobody@smugmug.com (elf1) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:30:42 -0700

elf1
And this gaudy castle by the site of Highway 1 along the way. And...that's it for this trip!