Leaving SFO and the
unpleasant Hertz representative behind we jumped onto Highway 101 and headed south-ish. We've both often talked about about our fond memories of Big Sur, so we figured that it would be a good goal with a nice wander around the
Monterey Peninsula on the way.
Driving conditions were perfect: sparse traffic and sunny, clear skies. Upon arriving in
Monterey we parked along the waterfront, passing dozens of
SCUBA divers pre/post-diving as we walked along the boardwalk. There were also plenty of
divers visible in the water and several groups of
children swimming in the fifty five degree ocean!
We tucked into
Massaro & Santos, a well situated waterside restaurant with tolerable seafood and underqualified but patient wait staff who permitted us to camp out for quite a while with laptop plugged in, etc. After lunch we tried to take a drive through Pebble Beach's 17 Mile Drive, but were turned back by an attendant who informed us that the
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament was under way and admission was restricted.
So we made our way, albeit circuitously, to
Carmel and checked in to a nifty joint called the
Carmel Valley Ranch where Susan had spent a couple of weeks while working on a screenplay almost a decade ago. Designed around a handsome, hilly golf course, the resort has central dining facilities, pools, hot tubs, and a gym, but the accommodations are scattered throughout the grounds offering a sense of intimacy and privacy. Our "condo" was a one bedroom unit with a separate living room, bathroom, deck overlooking the golf course and valley. The bedroom included a fireplace with plenty of logs! For dinner we headed into Carmel-by-the-Sea for an exquisite French-California fusion dinner at
Bouchee Restaurant.
Feeling fat and happy with a roaring fire in our bedroom and a nearly full moon floating over the Carmel Valley, we fell into bed and quickly sank into a deep, restful sleep.
This morning, after a misty jog around the golf course followed by a hearty breakfast in the dining room we packed and headed north to SFO for a 4:00 departure arriving in NYC around midnight. What a trip it's been...
So we made our way, albeit circuitously, to Carmel and checked in to a nifty joint called the Carmel Valley Ranch where Susan had spent a couple of weeks while working on a screenplay almost a decade ago. Designed around a handsome, hilly golf course, the resort has central dining facilities, pools, hot tubs, and a gym, but the accommodations are scattered throughout the grounds offering a sense of intimacy and privacy. Our "condo" was a one bedroom unit with a separate living room, bathroom, deck overlooking the golf course and valley. The bedroom included a fireplace with plenty of logs! For dinner we headed into Carmel-by-the-Sea for an exquisite French-California fusion dinner at Bouchee Restaurant.
Feeling fat and happy with a roaring fire in our bedroom and a nearly full moon floating over the Carmel Valley, we fell into bed and quickly sank into a deep, restful sleep.
This morning, after a misty jog around the golf course followed by a hearty breakfast in the dining room we packed and headed north to SFO for a 4:00 departure arriving in NYC around midnight. What a trip it's been...