Wineries, Clam Chowder and Ben's Birthday eve

Monterey, CA

Our last day in Monterey...we visited the Naval Postgraduate School and toured the facility which was originally the Del Monte Hotel, the hotel which now hosts students in its rooms has beautiful architecture, paintings and antiques overlooking the Monterey Bay area. A relatively quick lunch at El Torito near Cannery Row and we were off to the wine country. Our first stop was Marilyn Remark, a Loma Pacific Vineyard that produces only Rhone-style wines in limited releases of less than 300 cases, then we were off to the Santa Lucia highlands for Passagno, our favorite of the three wineries we visited, for some absolutely perfect Pinot Noirs, great Syrahs, a Port that blew our minds and the best Zinfandel any of us had tasted (even though the winery is known for its Pinot Noirs); the last winery we visited was Manzoni - a vintner who works closely with their neighbors Passagno next door -- again, great wines, but especially good Pinot Noir and a Syrah that my brother Dan thought was the best of the day. We drove back to Monterey through lush green rolling hills and strawberry fields. We took an evening stroll down Fisherman's Wharf and filled up on several different (all delicious) samples of clam chowder from different restaurants down the wharf. Many of the restaurants have clam chowder samples at the ready in little cups outside their door and try to entice you to come in and eat dinner by giving you a tiny yummy taste. At the end of the wharf we watched two sea otters in the harbor munching on mussels from below the docks. At home we celebrated Ben's 42nd Birthday (a day early) and now we prepare for our early morning departure, sad to say goodbye to Dan, Jan and Monterey, but excited for the next stop, Las Vegas to see Ben's sister Rachel.

Mudslides and rainbows

Monterey, Big Sur, Carmel, CA

Mileage; 130

This morning we heard the news about the earthquake in Chile. We explored Big Sur with huge waves pounding the rocky shoreline and cliffs that are at every turn in the road and ravines filled with white calla lilies. It's hard to explain Highway 1 and its temptations, driving this road is a joy in itself but coupled with the nearly overwhelming visual and other sensory overloads it is hard to stay focused on any one thing and yet there is a sense of calm among the chaos. On our way to "Nepenthe" (Island of no cares) restaurant we were stopped by a mud slide that toppled a power pole. We turned around and stopped at the River Inn for some amazing Bloody Marys (the spiciest ones we ever had) and lunch. With the road clear despite ducking under a tree lying on the power lines we continued on to Big Sur Bakery for some dessert; after a quick stop we finally made it to Nepenthe for a beer and breathtaking views. With rainbows flanking the hills we traveled into Carmel for sunset and a stroll past the fortunately/unfortunately closed shops. Addy had a blast at what was practically a beach side dog park, while we watched the sun disappear through a thin string of puffy clouds on the horizon while the full moon rose at our backs. We finished the night with a game of long board, a few drinks, and a stroll down Cannery Row in Monterey.

And We're Off

Everett, WA to Monterey, CA

Mileage - 950

Slight change of plans that we couldn't write about because we were "under cover" we picked up our first passenger, Jan, (Dan's wife) Dan didn't know she was coming with us, fantastic surprise. We all drove from Everett to Monterey, CA a 15 hr drive. Rain, rain, rain all the way, one section of slushy, snowy roads on Mt. Shasta, CA. There were slight sun breaks in the weather, but mostly rain, one beautiful rainbow, we arrived at 11:30 pm in Monterey with no rain and immediately went to the beach 2 blocks away, took pictures of the moonlit shoreline with the surf lapping at the feet of the tripod. We didn't realize, but this was at the peak of the potential tsunami, which actually ended up being only .76 ft here. It was an almost a full moon, what an amazing arrival. We returned to Dan's house exhausted and fell into a mad, deep sleep.

So, I know, I know we should have started already. Well we are just about packed and will be leaving tonight for a short drive to Everett, WA to visit Jan, Mark and Sam (Ben's sister-in-law and nephews) and then an early start on Fri.

View from our front window

Before We Officially Begin

San Juan Islands to Sedro Woolley, WA

Excitement is building and officially we haven’t started off on the big road trip yet. However, our journey home began much it will end, a beautiful ferry ride from Orcas Island through the waters of the Salish Sea and Puget Sound to the mainland and our home in Sedro Woolley, WA to spend a few days making final plans and gathering the items that we will need for our next five weeks. Tent, sleeping bags, bed rolls, cook set and stove, ramen and ahh yes the celebrated French press for the highly anticipated camping coffee. Not sure if it is the coffee or the places that make it great. Documenting the trip in photos will be exciting using our new camera, that at this point confounds us with its capabilities and seemingly limitless different settings not to mention two lenses a 28-135mm zoom and a 55-250mm zoom. Mantra: “Be smarter than the camera.” (repeat several times) We are sure to edit many, hopefully for a great few.

We know that this isn't an extreme trip by the standards of many and yet extreme by the standards of others. We would like to believe that it is what we will make it and know that magic lies around every corner. Our first stop will be Monterey, CA, setting of Steinbeck's Cannery Row (Jess just read it!) to see Dan (Ben's brother). More from the road.