SUNDAY - Today we had a relatively short travel day back towards the coast.
Our travels took us through the towns of Hollister and Salinas, where we stopped to buy groceries, eat lunch and purchase gasoline.
From the parking lot at Walmart there were several choices within walking distance for where to eat lunch. Our first choice was the Black Bear Diner, we've seen these in several locations and thought today we'd finally give it a try. Unfortuately there was a 25-minute wait for a table, so we walked next door to a place called Bag O' Crab, a seafood place with an interesting way of delivering your food to the table.
They no longer trust them with the drinks however, too much spillage was the answer I got.
After lunch we did our grocery shopping at Walmart, then Tricia walked across the street to Costco to pick up her favorite healthy snack mix.
One more chore before we get back on the road is to purchase gasoline. My trusty Gas Buddy app found gas for the bargain price of $5.19 at a small mom and pop station here in Salinas. It was tough getting ROVER and THE POD in and out of the small busy station but oh so worth it.
We could have paid these prices just 20-miles further down the road in Monterey, CA.
Along our route we passed by several more agricultural areas.
Some of the field workers were "Texas sized".
We arrived at our destination of the Monterey Fairgrounds RV Park to a no frills, full hookup (water/electric/sewer) "campsite". It's nothing fancy, really it's just a parking lot with stripes, but it is only 3.5-miles to the Monterey Bay Aquarium from here.
We've got an obstructed golf course view out the back window.
Just don't look out any of the side windows.
MONDAY - The whole reason for us stopping in Monterey is to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
It's been on Tricia's bucket list since we first hit the road. Well after today I'd say she could confidently check that off her list.
We left THE POD at 9:15AM and by 9:30AM we were within sight of the front door to the aquarium. You'd think that since they don't open for another 30-minutes there wouldn't be a line at the door. If you did think that, you'd be wrong.
There must have been 100+ people already in line, some with prepurchased tickets (like us) and some without. Those without had to wait in another line, while we went straight in after they scanned the barcode on my phone.
We entered the building promptly at 9:30AM when they opened and exited the building promptly at 4:30PM, an entire half hour before they closed.
For the first time since this blog started I asked Tricia for her help in choosing which photos/videos to share, since she took so many over the 7-hours that we visited the aquarium.
Anyway, here is what she decided to share with you all! Enjoy!
MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM
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This is the 1st of 517 photos/videos that we are going to share with you today! No time to waste, so let's get started!
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Now let's go ahead and check out the 16 photos/videos that we did share with you.
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The Kelp Forest Tank is a represention of what is out in the bay just outside. The Monterey Bay Aquarium are the first to figure out how to keep sea kelp alive in a tank. It is mesmerizing to watch the wave action moving everything back and forth. Just before the diver enters the tank, they turn the wave action off and the fish know they are about to be fed, that's when the fish became so dense.-Tricia
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This tank is huge, filled with leopard sharks, sheepshead fish (the male is the big fish with red, black, and white; the female is the smaller one that's all light red). There are also eels, a giant sea bass, and too numerous little fish to list.-Tricia
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The diver is feeding the fish with krill and other treats as part of a 15 minute "show" where they also teach us about the marine life.-Tricia
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The Open Seas Tank is their largest and seems bare, but it's representing the open ocean where there would be no coral reefs or anything else. It's a figure eight shape (we are only seeing part of the tank) so the sea life can continuously swim as in the wild. We started the day with a bubble curtain, but once the feeding show was over we had a clear view.-Tricia
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Open Seas features a hammerhead shark, green sea turtle, sun fish, tuna, bat rays, and more. Some of these are here for rehabilitation and will be released back into the wild. Those not able to survive the wild due to injury, etc., are permanent residents. For example, they don't always have the sunfish or 2 turtles.-Tricia
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The jellies are so cool! They are like built-in meditation. Often we can only see them because they are lit up (note the light going off, then back on, in the Crystal Jelly tank).-Tricia
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The sea otters were a very popular tank, but sadly these 2 are permanent residents. They tried to release them and the 2 otters kept coming back. They are now foster mothers to the abandoned pups the aquarium rescues and releases. We also saw wild otters in the bay while we were eating lunch!-Tricia
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This sea kelp may not look very delicious, but it is extremely nutricious! Note the crab of the same color clinging to the leaf towards the bottom center.-Tricia
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I've been seeing sea anenome in the tide pools, but they are usually pulled in tight to protect themselves. So it was fun to see one all expanded and waving around.-Tricia
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This short clip was the only one I could get, the penguins stopped diving after that!-Tricia
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A Puffin on the left with a penguin on the right.-Tricia
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These Japanese Spider Crabs can sit so still you think they are just statues. I was so happy to catch this guy having a snack.-Tricia
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These deep-sea isopods were as big as my hand. They look like giant pill bugs.-Tricia
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We spotted this wild harbor seal out in the bay while we ate lunch.-Tricia
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I've been dying to spot some starfish in the tidepools in the wild, but so far have only been able to spot these guys in the outdoor tidepool at the aquarium.-Tricia
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This is one of two giant octopus they have. They were both taking naps each time we strolled by the tanks.-Tricia
After leaving the aquarium we walked the five city blocks to Gianni's Pizza, which came highly recommended by our Northern California friend, Thanks David, it was delicious. We even had enough to bring home for tomorrow nights dinner which makes the price we paid more afforable.
TUESDAY - We've got another action packed day planned for today.
Just like we did when we were in Cambria, when we drove 50+ miles north on the Pacific Coast Highway to see all the sights, well today we're going to drive 40+ miles south from Monterey on the Pacific Coast Highway and not turn around until we see McWay Falls again.
The first 8-miles of CA-1 will be spent trying to get through the traffic of Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea. You might be familiar with one of Carmel's famous residents, 95-year old actor/director Clint Eastwood. He even served as mayor of the town from 1986 to 1988. Other notable Carmel residents from the past have included Doris Day, Betty White and Bing Crosby.
PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY THE 42-MILES OF COAST BETWEEN MONTEREY AND McWAY FALLS (IN BIG SUR)
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Once you get south of Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea the scenery drastically improves.
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Of course with all that bird guano it doesn't make it smell any better.
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Now that's a clever way to cool the inside of your garage.
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We thought the scenery was nicer on this northern end of CA-1.
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Garrapata State Park has a costal trail with many of these high bluff overlooks...
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...with spectacular views of the rugged California coastline.
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Even the sky was looking spectacular today, although it was rather cold and cloudy.
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It's not often you see a single Canadian Goose all by itself.
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These guys seem to be guarding this rock from outsiders.
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This group appears to be on the lookout too.
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Now that over there is my kind of beach.
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This guy seemed quite happy during this gloomy day.
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Another one of those lookouts in Garrapata State Park...
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...with even more stunning views.
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Not my kind of beach, you'll never get comfortable laying on those rocks.
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Oh look over there! A bridge with a waterfall, there goes Tricia.
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The view from the bridge.
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The first of several sea arches we'll see today.
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This is the Rocky Creek Bridge.
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Go back to the previous photo and you'll see why this house is all glass. HINT: Look up at the top edge of the photo.
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All the parking spaces on the southern side of the Bixby Bridge were occupied. We had to settle for this photo from the first turnout south of the bridge.
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Another California home with a view...
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...and quite possibly no electricity judging by all those solar panels.
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It seems the road has been reduced to 1-lane up ahead?
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That's because the southbound lane is collapsing into the ocean.
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Up ahead is the Point Sur Lighthouse Station, now a State Historical Park.
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When you are already that high up you don't need a "tall" lighthouse.
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Wish we knew this was open to the public, we may have made time for a visit.
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This Fountain Grass was swaying in the breeze. Sorry, no video!
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Another home with a view?
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Only of this beautiful coastal canyon.
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My personal favorite photo of the day! How about you? What's your favorite?
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That's a long downhill hike to get to the water. I hope there's more to see.
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Our second sighting of a sea arch today.
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This beautiful condor tile inlay was at one of the overlooks.
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We made it to our turnaround at McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.
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I hope if we come back someday they'll have the trail open so we can get a closer look.
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We stopped for lunch at the Ripplewood Cafe in Big Sur. This was our view through the window to the patio.
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Anyone know what variety of orchids these are?
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On our way north we were lucky to get a parking spot to check out the Bixby Bridge.
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The reinforced concrete Bixby Bridge is 714' long, 24' wide and 280' high...
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...and second, only to the Golden Gate Bridge, as the most photographed bridge in California.
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Our third and final sea arch of the day is located under the Bixby Bridge.
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A wonderful sandy beach in Garrapata State Park.
Looking for our Visited States Map and Data? How about our State by State Bucket Lists or Visited Campgrounds List? If so, click on the sign below to be taken to our other website.
This is the 1st of 517 photos/videos that we are going to share with you today!
Now let's go ahead and check out the 16 photos/videos that we did share with you.
This sea kelp may not look very delicious, but it is extremely nutricious!
A Puffin on the left with a penguin on the right.-Tricia
These deep-sea isopods were as big as my hand. They look like giant pill bugs.-Tricia
I've been dying to spot some starfish in the tidepools in the wild, but so far have only been able to spot these guys in the outdoor tidepool at the aquarium.-Tricia
Once you get south of Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea the scenery drastically improves.
Of course with all that bird guano it doesn't make it smell any better.
Now that's a clever way to cool the inside of your garage.
We thought the scenery was nicer on this northern end of CA-1.
Garrapata State Park has a costal trail with many of these high bluff overlooks...
...with spectacular views of the rugged California coastline.
Even the sky was looking spectacular today, although it was rather cold and cloudy.
It's not often you see a single Canadian Goose all by itself.
These guys seem to be guarding this rock from outsiders.
This group appears to be on the lookout too.
Now that over there is my kind of beach.
Another one of those lookouts in Garrapata State Park...
...with even more stunning views.
Not my kind of beach, you'll never get comfortable laying on those rocks.
Oh look over there! A bridge with a waterfall, there goes Tricia.
The view from the bridge.
The first of several sea arches we'll see today.
This is the Rocky Creek Bridge.
Go back to the previous photo and you'll see why this house is all glass.
All the parking spaces on the southern side of the Bixby Bridge were occupied.
Another California home with a view...
...and quite possibly no electricity judging by all those solar panels.
It seems the road has been reduced to 1-lane up ahead?
That's because the southbound lane is collapsing into the ocean.
Up ahead is the Point Sur Lighthouse Station, now a State Historical Park.
When you are already that high up you don't need a "tall" lighthouse.
Wish we knew this was open to the public, we may have made time for a visit.
This Fountain Grass was swaying in the breeze. Sorry, no video!
Another home with a view?
Only of this beautiful coastal canyon.
My personal favorite photo of the day! How about you? What's your favorite?
That's a long downhill hike to get to the water. I hope there's more to see.
Our second sighting of a sea arch today.
This beautiful condor tile inlay was at one of the overlooks.
We made it to our turnaround at McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.
We stopped for lunch at the Ripplewood Cafe in Big Sur.
Anyone know what variety of orchids these are?
On our way north we were lucky to get a parking spot to check out the Bixby Bridge.
The reinforced concrete Bixby Bridge is 714' long, 24' wide and 280' high...
...and second, only to the Golden Gate Bridge, as the most photographed bridge in California.
Our third and final sea arch of the day is located under the Bixby Bridge.
A wonderful sandy beach in Garrapata State Park.
