Saturday, May 19, 2012

About That Monterey Bay (May 13 -19)

Dear Family and Friends,

On Mother's Day, I drove to Monterey, California with my traveling companions, Roger and Bear. We left Lodi early and arrived in Monterey about mid morning. Our first stop was Cannery Row (made famous by John Steinbeck's book, Cannery Row. I could just imagine the smell and silvery color of sardines, as they were brought in for canning. Now the area has boutiques and restaurants as well as the world famous Monterey Aquarium. We got to see several groups donning their wetsuits for diving in the bay. The morning was typical with a marine fog and in the 50's. My skin loved it.


 Yes, we must be in California!

 Roger and Bear enjoying Monterey Bay.

 Scuba divers preparing for an early morning dive. Glad they have wetsuits.

 Cannery Row



After leaving Monterey Bay, we drove the Seventeen Mile Drive that continues along the coast and then loops around back to Monterey. This drive is the home of Pebble Beach and several other world class golf courses. As golfers, we appreciated the site of these courses. With ultra steep golf course fees, we elected not to play. How can you possibly concentrate on your golf game with such beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean?






We left Seventeen Mile Drive at the gate to Carmel. You may remember that Clint Eastwood was mayor of the city at one time. What a beautiful area with incredible plants. The cypress trees thrive on the marine layer of fog. Succulents are huge and so healthy.




 Carmel Bay



We returned to Lodi in the late afternoon after stops at local markets along the way. I learned that Gilroy is the garlic area of California. You can really smell them in the air. Also got to see artichokes growing in the fields, as well as cherries and strawberries. What a great time to be in California.

The rest of the week we spent preparing for our departure from Lodi, and riding our bikes. We   left Friday morning for Hornbrook, California. Hornbrook is located between the Northern California and Oregon border on the Klamath River. Our drive took us up I-5 through Sacramento and Redding. Around Redding, we were treated to views of Mt. Shasta (still snow covered), Lake Shasta and the Shasta National Forest. What gorgeous country!

We arrived at Hornbrook and the Blue Herron Resort in the early afternoon. Our home for the next two weeks sits right on the Klamath River. What we love most about RVing is being able to change the view out our front window.

 Roger is explaining about driving in mountains.

 Shasta National Forest

 Lake Shasta

 Mt. Shasta

 We are asked how Bear likes to travel. He loves it and sleeps on my lap except when I am driving.

 Driving into the Klamath River area of Northern California and Southern Oregon.

 No wonder the RV resort is called Blue Herron.
The Klamath River is home to Eagles, Osprey, Geese, Ducks and other birds.

 Our home for the next two weeks.

 A very happy Roger!

The view outside our front window.

Thank you for checking in with us as we continue on our adventures through the western part of the country. We appreciate your interest in our travels.



1 comment:

  1. So jealous of your cool temps and water views. We are under an "extreme heat warning" for the next few days, temps of 100 plus for a few days.

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