Day 4 - Monterey, California

Started the day much as I remember from my grade school days in Monterey. Dense fog. I’d say it was low tide, but can’t see for sure. Going to be 61° here today, while home is looking to reach a warm 114°. Glad to be where I am.

Last night we requested muffins, mini chocolate croissants, orange juice and coffee, which was delivered promptly as requested at 7:45 am. Did I mention we like staying at the Monterey Bay Inn?

Our first stop was to take a look at the house I lived in some 73 years ago. Still there on Seaview Avenue, but with a little different look as someone has added a partial second floor. Then down David Avenue (where I once waited for the school bus) to take Ocean View Boulevard from bay to ocean. With the fog, most of the drive consisted of assuming there was a view of the ocean. We did pass the Pacific Grove Golf Links, where in a past life I would tag along with my dad as he played.

I thought a drive over to Carmel would be fun. Encountering a heavy dose of traffic and narrow streets we headed back, planning to spend some time at Fisherman’s Wharf. With $15 parking we decided to head back to the hotel and take the free Trolly to the wharf.

Once the Trolly delivered us, we walked the wharf checking out the all the shops, finding more trinkets and t-shirts and looking over the posted restaurant menus. Although many looked good, we decided on the one at the very end of the wharf, where we had lunched years ago. Excellent clam chowder, very good fish and chips and so-so shrimp cocktail. The Monterey Wheat beer was perfectly cloudy and very good.

Back at the hotel we rested up a little and decided to pass on dinner tonight. This is only day four and I’m already fearing the return to diet status upon returning home.

Later we took one last walk-up Cannery Row, stopping at Tidal Coffee for a small Flat White and Mocha. Both were excellent. While enjoying our drinks and the warmth of a sunny afternoon, a group of medics passed by going to a lower patio. Curious, we snuck a look and saw that they were working on someone. It appeared they were taking out the paddles, which is never a good sign. As we walked back to the hotel an ambulance complete with lights and siren was headed to the scene.

All in all, another fun and relaxing day. Tomorrow we are off to Eureka, California.

23 miles today