Sunday 29 May; El Cerrito and San Jose.

Nice morning in the Driveway of the Moran's.  Bella & I went out into a little bit of overcast, but not low fog.
We came back in and drank coffee, until Bloomie texted us a picture of himself inside Jim's having coffee so we went inside and joined he and Jim.  It is always fun to visit with them over coffee.  Dana got up and joined us as well.  We had some cantaloupe ad Aussie bites. It was fun.
I went in to shower and get ready to go to San Jose.
We went to San Jose to go and visit Sarah, Noel, and Liam.  Bella also met their dog Ekho  and their kitty Storm.  They all got along really well.
We visited then packed a lunch and headed off on bicycles.  We rode the bikes 9.5 miles to a big lake and beautiful park.  There were a lot of people Bar-B-Quing, gathering, partying, and having a really nice Memorial Day Sunday

We  found a spot near the Steam Railroad tracks. They used to bring Liam to this park when he was a little guy (he's14 now) and he loved to ride the train.  Bella enjoyed running around and sniffing a little while there.  

We ate our lunch then headed back.

We stopped in at a cool restaurant called The Table.  They specialize in handmade specialty cocktails.  I had a hand made (hand shook) Ramis Fizz.  It was really good.  We had an appetizer as well.  We were right across the street from "The Creamery" They were advertising Walt Disney's Pineapple Frost?!  So we decided we wanted one.  There was a line, and we stood in it, but it never moved.  Sarah, Noel, Liam and I walked further down the street to a candy store.  Rob stayed in line.  He had not moved by the time we came back, so he gave up.

We rode the rest of the way back to their house. We visited a little while and sampled some of Noel's home brewed Heileveisen beer.  It was really good.  After that we drove back to the Morans' driveway.  We watched a little TV and then went to bed.

It was a really fun day and really good to see Sarah, Noel, and Liam.  It has been a while since I've seen them.

Saturday 28 May El Cerrito, CA

It was a nice morning waking up in the Moran driveway. Bella & I went out for a little, (very short) walk about.  Then back in for Coffee.  It was actually not foggy.
Rob went over and had coffee with Jim & Dana. I had some work to do.  We have errors with some of the IEPs at Pivot that I needed to take care of and some other things I needed to do as well.
Ag came over with his golf clubs and then the three of us (plus Bella) drove over to Hercules to play golf.  It was a pretty and challenging course.
Bella got to ride with Rob and I in our cart.  She normally just stays in the cart, but a couple times she got out and sniffed around a little bit. I was petting her and felt a little lump.  I looked closer and it was a tick.  Yuk.  It hadn't bit in yet, but was under her fur and getting close.  I looked closer and pulled 5 more off her neck area.  I kept looking and looking, then took her vest off and she had two more under it.  It was disgusting
We all played pretty well.  I was actually the worse.  Ag broke 100 for the very first time ever.  Rob shot and 89, Ag 98 and I 99.  With our handicaps Rob shot par, I was about 2 over and Ag, amazingly, was 8 under.  Way to go Ag!!

There were wild Turkeys on the very 1st hole and then on a couple holes on the back 9.  Bella was amazed.  

After golf we went to Costco and bought a bunch of Ribs, some chips, salad fixins a little desert, dip, and beer.  Then we stopped for tonic and ice.

We went back to Jim's and he fixed a good rub for the ribs.  We started the grill, fixed all the stuff and settled in for game 6 of the Warriors play off.  It was pretty sad in the begging half, the bar-b-q and them playing better improved the 3rd quarter, but the 4th quarter??!!>>>>> The Earth shifted.  They would take the lead by one, fall behind by 2 lead by 2 fall behind by 1 Finally they took the lead and held onto it.  THEY WON!!!!!  Yipeeeeee!!!!

A bunch of Rob's buddies were there for the game and afterwards we all got to visit.  Dana came home after the game and we were able to visit ever so briefly.  Krishen and Jenny arrived and we got to visit some.  I was finally pretty tired, so I left and went out to the driveway to go to bed.

Thursday & Friday 27/28 May - Santa Rosa

So I worked at Pivot in Santa Rosa today and yesterday all day both days.  It is always nice to see my fellow employees and catch up on all the happenings both at school and in their lives.  I like Santa Rosa.  The weather is pleasant and the downtown is fun.  Bella and I stayed at the Marriott.  They are very nice to her and bribe her with bacon to befriend them.
I Watched the Warriors VS Oklahoma Basketball game.  It was pretty exciting and pretty important.  If the warriors lost this game they would have been out of the championship, but as it turned out they won and are still in it for now.  Next game will be Saturday night.  The Morans are having a bigB-Q
I left Santa Rosa at 4:30 and drove down to El Cerrito to the home of our friends, the Morans.  Rob brought the RV up here on Thursday afternoon and parked it in their long driveway.

We have parked here on occasion before when we have been traveling and stopped in the area to visit friends and family.

Tonight we got together with Ag and his mother. Rob and Ag played golf today and had a really good time.
We went to Cafe Rouge in Berkeley and had a wonderful meal and a really nice visit.  Ag's Mom was a PE teacher at Berkeley High School for many years and is consequently a part of many of the Berkeley Boys' family.  It was a lovely evening

Wednesday 25 May 2016 Monterey

Today is my last day in Monterey.  I have to go to Pivot North Bay and work Thursday and Friday.  So, Bella and I are going to go up there late this afternoon and stay at the Marriott. Rob will move the rig to our friends, the Moran s in El Cerrito, tomorrow.  Bella and I will be back in El Cerrito for the weekend.
The plan for the day is to do laundry and install a back-up camera on the rig.  We'll see what else shakes out.
So we accomplished all those wonderful tasks.  I had wanted a back up camera because there is 37 feet of RV behind my seat when I'm driving it.  Although I know how to back up and can do it fairly well, I cannot see a darn thing back there.  This is especially difficult when you have to turn into a driveway, or campsite backing up.  Just knowing when to start the turn is impossible if you don't have some when directing you.  There will probably be times when Rob is off flying on a trip and I will have to get us set up, like at Seal Beach or Port Hueneme, but those were both pull-throughs rather than back ins.  So tomorrow Rob will be going to El Cerrito to our friends house and they have a big long drive way that he is going to have to back into.  He is more than likely going to be by himself as I will be in Santa Rosa and the Morans will be at work.
Anyway, we got all our chores completed and we were both hungry.  We decided to to down to Cannery Row to go get something to eat.  We went to El Torritos.  We had a nice table right on the water and were able to see a seal swimming right off the bat.
Lunch was ok, it was enchilada Wednesday, all you can eat.  We both had a chicken and beef.  Afterward we went for a quick walk on the beach.  I have these cool sandals that are supposed to leave footprints in the sand.  I have two pairs.  One pair say "Follow Me, Bring Wine"  the other says "Don't worry Be Happy"  I wanted to see if they worked.  Disappointedly, they didn't work very well.  I tried in the very wet sand, the not so wet sand, and the dry sand.  The words weren't very clear.  Perhaps the sand needs to be much finer.  Maybe it has to be Hawaii Sand.  That's it, I'm going back to Hawaii.

We were starting to get pressed on time.  I needed to be on the road by 3:00 and it was 2.  Rob wanted some good beers so we hit a liquor store and then rushed back to the Rig.  I packed, changed clothes, grabbed Bella's goodies and her and hit the road.
It was a beautiful drive along the coast up highway 1.  I drove to the Navy Lodge at Moffit Field in Mountain View.  I went to meet a long time friend, Shelly Walker.  Let's say that correctly, Army Col Shelly Walker. Rob, Shelly and I were all three Captains in the Army Guard in Sacramento in the early 80s.  It was a Medieval Helicopter unit. They were awesome times.  Anyway, Rob and I have both since retired and Shelly will be retiring in Aug.  In the meantime she is on assignment there at Moffit.
We met at her billets and then went downtown Mountain View for dinner.  We went to Giovanni's which is a yummy Italian restaurant.  We ordered Italian style.  First a bottle of wine; then we ordered and ate Oysters Rockefeller, then we ordered and ate a greek salad; next we ordered and ate our entrée, pasta Mediterian; and finally lava cake for dessert.  It was really nice, a 2 hour dinner.  Very relaxed and a wonderful catch-up time for us.  I drove her back to her billets and then drove the rest of the way up to Santa Rosa.  I arrived at 11 pm, checked in and went straight to bed.  I was very tired.

24 May - Monterey Pines- The Joy of Mountain Biking

Another great day! 
 It was over cast when we got up and went for our stroll. It continued to be over cast as we had our coffee, checked email, did our work, etc.
About 10:00 we took Bella out for a nice long walk.  the plan is that Rob and I are going to go over to former Fort Ord and go mountain biking.  Taking Bella on the bike on bike trails is one thing, but to take her mountain biking is totally a different matter.  I'm not always sure I am going to come back alive let alone subject her to my mishaps.
Anyway, so we took her for a nice long walk and then left her inside the rig while we went off.
We got to Fort Ord National Monument off of Hwy 68 at about 10:45.

   We started down here at the "P"

Then following the arrow we went up Torro Creek Rd, which wasn't actually up, it was along.  It was a dirt road.  

Then we hit Oil Well Rd and started to go up, and up, and more up.  Then we hit Trail #41 It was single track and it was a blast

As you can see, the flowers are blooming, and it looked like hills of wheat!

We hit Jack's road and this one was paved.  We followed it "UP" 

Until we hit trail #75.  It was another single track and it went through more of a forest, ferny, and poison oak area.

 75 led us to 78 it had a bunch of up and Clay type rocky stuff that the rain had cut grooves and puddles through.  Pretty view though. At one point on the trails we could see the Salinas Valley.

Next we went down this gnarly trail down to 39 and over to Sandy Ridge Rd.  We went up it along the ridge. And were able to look down across the valley we were about to cross as we headed back to the truck.

Down a very fun 33 to 34 to 72. Then back to Oil Well Road, to Torro Creek Rd and back to the Truck.  
All in all it was only 12 miles. but 3 hours of fun in the sun.
I thought of my friend Jennifer the whole time.  We used to bike together in Tahoe and on a couple trips.  She would have loved this one.  When we got to the parking lot I thought of her again as I looked myself over.  When we would finish our rides we would look at ourselves and say "Dirty, bleeding, Yup, we had a great time", because we usually were and this time I was as well.
We loaded the bikes and headed back to a very happy-to-see-us Bella.  We took her out for a walk.
Rob showered and then went out to play 9 holes of golf walking and only carrying 3 clubs.  I stayed back and chilled with Bella.
Our friend Krishen told us about a really good restaurant that was a must called Monterey Fish House so we decided to go there.  We made reservations for 7 pm.  But when we got there it was extremely noisy.  Bella was freaked and I was a bit un-nerved as well so we left.  We went instead to the Old Fisherman's Grotto down on the wharf. It was much more soothing and the food and service was excellent.
We came back home, watched a bit of TV and then called it a night.

23 May 2016; Monterey

It started out as a warm sunny day.  It was a somewhat quieter day today.  I wanted to go through the shops at Cannery Row.  Funny thing was, I was confusing Cannery Row for Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco.
Anyway, We sat outside for a bit this morning drinking our coffee and going through email and Facebook.
Then, we went to the post office in Seaside to pick up our mail that is forwarded to us from Pahrump. From there we stopped at a cute little metal sculpture and potter place.  Next we drove down to the area of the Monterey Aquarium which is also where the Cannery Row is.  Rob dropped me off then he and Bella went off the get the car washed and then off for a walk.  I'll let him tell you his part.
I wandered in and out of all the shops on one side of the street down to the Aquarium, and then in and out of all the shops on the other side of the street.  I was really good when it came to the candy, fudge, chocolate, Toll House Cookie, and Cinnabon stores.  I's stick my head in and breathe deeply, but didn't actually go inside any of them.  The place I did go in, spent considerable amount of time tasting and finally buying was Monterey's Tasty Olive Bar.  They had sooooo many vats of olive oil infused with lots of yummy stuff.  They have different oils as well. Oh, and they also have really good balsamic vinegars that you can taste.  All with really good pieces of sourdough bread.  I ended up buying a small bottle of White truffle oil, and a small bottle of blueberry balsamic vinegar.  Rob came and joined me and we had a terribly unhealthy lunch at a place called The Giant Artichoke.  We had fried artichoke hearts. artichoke nachos; fire roasted, artichoke and artichoke jalapeño dip with chips.
We left in a hurry and walked back to the car.  We had to get back because I had and IEP at 2:30
During the IEP Rob left and went for a 45 mile bake ride to Carmel and back.
After my meeting Bella and I drove to Pacific Grove and went to a Farmers Market.  I was hoping they would have tomatoes, but they didn't.  I got a couple things.
From there Bella and I walked down to the beach.  It was funny, it is Lovers Point.  There are two beaches you can walk down to and a park, then another walking trail with all kinds of pretty flowers.  The tide is coming in and the water was really clear so it was like looking into tide pools.  It was lovely.  I could have sat there for hours, but the time was getting late, it was getting a little chilly, and Bella was getting bored.  We walked back to the car and drove back to the RV.
Rob arrived just after Bella &; I.  I fixed chili Verdi burritos.  We ate, watched TV and went to bed.
Sorry, no pics tonight.

Sunday, 22 May, Monterey Pines RV park

Beautiful and sunny this morning as Bella &; I went out for our first-thing-in-the-morning-stroll!
No big plans for today.  Just to play this beautiful, Monterey Pines Golf Course.
Bella had decided it is a day of rest as you can tell from this photo where she is saying "Im not going anywhere, You can't make me, I'm staying right here in my bed"

Rob and I did go out and play the course and left Bella to rest in peace.  We walked the course and although it was pretty and I got a hell-of-altot-a steps (I am a devoted fitbit wearer).  It has been a very long time since I have walked 18 holes and it was painful.  Seriously I told Rob, at hole # 12  that I was not sure I could walk the remaining 6 holes as my feet, leading to ankles, to knees, to hips, were killing me.  As usual, he ignored me and I ended up having to walk the rest of the 6 holes for a total of 18 holes, for a total of 14,445 steps, for a total of 6.8 miles,  for a total of....... I don't give a shit what you say, .....I'm drinking all of the open bottles of wine we have....and may open another bottle or 2!!!!!

Our RV is on the other side of that fence.

After golfing I limped on back to the RV, luckily it was just behind the course.  I poured myself a large glass of wine, grabbed my dog and iPad and sat in the sun.  It was nice.  Eventually I invited Rob to join me.
It was a nice sunny afternoon.  We caught up on phone calls and mail.  As it cooled off we went inside to fix and eat dinner and watch 60 min and the rest of what the TV had to offer and then went to bed.
Here is how Bella & Rob chill in in eve.

Happy Armed Forces Day (US) 21 May 2016- Monterey, CA

Happy Armed Forces Day.  It is raining here in Monterey.  Bella and I got our morning walk-about in just as it was starting.
Today we have a plan.  I just hope the rain doesn't interfere with it.  Last week we followed the trail of the Movie Sideways.  Today, and whenever possible along our journey, we will be following trails or routes or drives from Reader's Digest "The Most Scenic Drives in America".  Today's drive is # 17; Big Sur Coast. Monterey to San Louis Obispo.  But, since we have already been to SLO and Morrow Bay we will probably stop at Cambria.

Wow!  what an amazing day.  It was long, 12 hours from door back to door, but amazing.  Weather was perfect.  It was sunny and warm.  The sunshine always makes the ocean so much prettier.

We left about 10 am (after coffee, Facebook, etc.) and there was some sort of accident on Hwy 1 and part of it was closed so we had to detour through part of Carmel.  that took awhile, but we got back on 1 and down to the beautiful ocean.

Our first stop was just south of Point Lobos where we pulled over for a photo Op.  It is so pretty and the water was a beautiful color. By the way, you can click on these pictures as you go along and they will be full size for you.

Rocky Point Restaurant was next.  It is right on the ocean with some nice hiking trails out to the point.  The restaurant has been under new management for about 2 years and they have apparently done amazing improvements.  It doesn't open until 11:30 so we had about 30 min to hike around before going in for lunch. As we  hiked around there was a hawk sitting up on a branch.  It was eyeing Bella and all the rest of us actually.  It stayed there the entire time, even through our lunch.

 

I actually didn't thin the food was great, but you couldn't beat the view

We continued on down the Coast through Big Sur.  So Pretty.  We were going to stop in at Garrapata  State Park, but garrapata means "tick" in Spanish and apparently the park is full of them.  We decided to pass

As we continued down the Coast of Big Sur we came to two beautiful bridges that we had to stop and take pictures of.  The second is the famed Bixby Bridge that is featured in many coastal movies.  They are both very impressive and the scenery around them is breath taking.

Prior to the Bixby Bridge is Point Sur Historic Park and the famed light house.  Its powerful beam can be seen for more than 20 miles and has warned sailors away from the treacherous point for over a century.

 Next came the famed Bixby Bridge.

 Our next stop was Pfeiffer Big Sir State Park.  Here we decided it was time to get out of the car and go for a little hike.  We hiked for about 1 mile and then came to the split.  We did the Pfeiffer Falls first,

 And then back tracked and hiked to the Valley lookout.  Round trip was only about 3 miles, but it was a good workout.  We were able to take Bella with us on the trail, but that was a bit nerve-racking because there is Poison Oak everywhere and often the trail was very narrow.  We will see in a couple days if we were successful in keeping her out or not.

 Next we stopped just past Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.  The sign said the parking lot was full to go into the park so we drove on and then pulled over.  There is an Overlook Trail that Rob wanted to do. It looks down on McWay Cove, where a creek finishes its short journey with a fine flourish - an 80 foot waterfall tumbling down at the seaside. We hiked along a fire road, but were not able to see it.  Oh well, next time.

We continued down the coast

Stopping in to take beautiful pictures

Along the way.  It is such an amazing

Coastline.  With beautiful

Beaches, amazing cliffs

And some incredible house nestled in.

We had originally wanted to take a tour of Hearst Castle, but when we got down there it was already 4:00 and we were getting tired.  Rob and I had gone and toured the grounds many years ago while doing an Army Guard stint at Camp Roberts, so we were ok with passing on it this time.  W

We did stop in and see the thousands of Sea Lions sun bathing on the beach tho. The males were fighting  

Sorry, I don't think these videos are working and I can't seem to remove them.

Anyway, now we are getting really hungry, so after driving through San Simeon we went on to Cambria.
There we found a really cute little restaurant by a creek.  It was called Robbins Restaurant.  We both had really good food.  Rob had his favorite Green Flash IPA, and I had some yummy local wine.  After dinner we walked around the neighborhood.  It was really cute.

After this we drove Hwy 46 to 101 and drove the 2 hours back to Monterey to our little home on wheels.  We got there about 10 pm and went straight to bed.  Great, Beautiful day!!!