To Monterey for Lunch.

Greetings Snow-bound riders!

Sunday came bright and beautiful. I had planned to have lunch with a
friend in Monterey at the aquarium. I was a little late getting up (traveling
last week) and ended up slabbing it down to make it on time.

Lunch was fantastic with a seat over looking the water at the Portola
Cafe (building across the water).

[img]http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/15093416-M.jpg[/img]

After lunch, I wandered around the aquarium. Looked at 'Pumpkin', wandered
around town and then headed on out.

Pumpkin (from last week--she's bigger now :D):

[img]http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/14714637-M.jpg[/img]

The Jellies are a big attraction too:

[img]http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/14719219-M.jpg[/img]

The top of the kelp forest opens to the sky. These wires prevent birds
from diving in to feed on the fish. The triangular device at the far side
creates surge (and was designed by of all people, David Packard). Surge
keeps the kelp from drying out topside and it gives the fish in the exhibit
an environment more like home.

[img]http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/15093421-M.jpg[/img]

After watching the fishies, it was off to the courtyard for some smooth
jazz--this guy had a crowd going and played some relaxing music.
One could almost nap in the warm sun...

[img]http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/15093418-M.jpg[/img]

After leaving, I rode up the coast on my favorite local road, hwy 1.
Feeling the need for a snack, I stopped in Davenport (which, BTW, I
recommend to you as well) for coffee and a nice piece of pie at Whale
City Cafe and Bakery.

[img]http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/15091564-M.jpg[/img]

Yummmy stuff...Apple pie.

[img]http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/15091561-M.jpg[/img]

It was getting late and the sun setting as I made my way back up to
hwy 92. With the sunset in the mirrors, I wound my way over the hill and
back home.

The weather forecast is for more of the same this coming weekend...

So I leave you with a little something I shot recently (not this trip) but a
fine example of a California Sunset.

[img]http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/14790845-M.jpg[/img]


Ian

Fabulous shots!! Lucky you.

Ian,
Thanks for sharing.
MMmmm, Apple Pie
That whole trip looks like a dream.

Thanks For Sharing Ian... ;) ..That Is Definitely A Gorgeous Sunset!! :)

ahhhhhh yee-essss, brother. this gives me faith, amen?, that the sun will return to meeechigan, uh-huh, and that we too will have warm favorable temps, yes Lord, in which to ride around and eat pie.

Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for the cool report. Very nice pix, too. The aquarium is such a nice place. . . . That apple pie looked pretty good, too.

Ian, Great shots! Thanks.

I'm planning to ride to California in July to watch the MotoGP races at Luguna Seca. Would love any suggestions on where to ride heading out of there. I'll be coming accross from New Mexico and heading towards the Grand Canyon along the way. I'm thinking of heading north east toward lake Tahoe or heading north to Oregon and Idaho after. Would love to know some "Must Ride" routes if you're familiar with that area.

There's a lot of things about CA., that I avoid like the plague.

But.....I got give it to you when it comes to great weather, great rides and places to ride. :thumb

Great pics......... :clap

Wonderful stuff! Usually down here in TexSux we laugh at the northern riders who are snowbound, but it has been rainy here for a few days and the wee hours tonight are supposed to bring snow. Joy.
Sure wish I could be riding that wonderful scenery out there! Just may have to think about relocating...

[QUOTE=The Veg]Wonderful stuff! Usually down here in TexSux we laugh at the northern riders who are snowbound, but it has been rainy here for a few days and the wee hours tonight are supposed to bring snow. Joy.
Sure wish I could be riding that wonderful scenery out there! Just may have to think about relocating...[/QUOTE]

Hey everybody!

Glad you liked the pictures!

Veg, I was in Dallas Thursday and again on Friday. Rain :D But Austin was
nice Wednesday...oh, 6th St. :twirl

As far as not to miss roads, I think East towards Tahoe, especially Tioga
pass through Yosemite or even better, Monitor Pass or even Sonora pass
to 395 and back up to Tahoe would be pretty nice.

Ian

Thanks Ian, glad you sympathise. The snow didn't materialise but the rain seems to have stopped. In expectation of snow the boss gave us today off and I'm *SO* itchin' for a ride (it's been about two weeks) that I think I may just have to put on all my warm-gear and go zip around the nearby lake and pretend it's the Pacific coast. Oy, vere's my surfboard???

Wow, that some beautiful scenery. :thumb