"X" Marks the Spot

While I was in Phoenix last week for work, Daddy and Drew decided to hit the drive through rather than make dinner.  In Drew's kid meal from Carl's Jr. was a Treasure Map so all he wanted to do was find the treasure, and was quite upset when Daddy said they couldn't do it that night because they had to power clean the house before picking me up at the airport.  Instead Daddy promised to do the treasure hunt the next day.

So first thing when Drew woke up he wasn't excited for camping which was the next day, and something he's asked about every morning for a week.  Instead he asked if it was time for the treasure hunt.  He was satisfied knowing he could do it after school.

 So he and Daddy tried to come up with a game plan to find the treasure... then they were off!

Low and behold the map brought them back toward our house...

And "X" marked the spot.

And look at all that treasure!  Jewelery in the way of beads and ring pops, some candy and a coloring book.  Even a hot wheel!  Now that's a fun treasure hunt.  Drew kept talking about it all night.

1, 2, 3 Strikes You're Out

On Friday night my brother Matt and Dave redeemed their Christmas present from my parents - a Giants baseball game.


They tried to make their schedules work for the Dodgers - Giants but it was a no go. Instead they saw Giants - Phillies and the Giants lost so that made Dave happy.

That and they got to see the benches clear for a brawl.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous

Today's blog wraps up our weekend getaway to Monterey, and boy were we feeling like we were the rich and famous - ok so not so rich and not so famous....

After we  had breakfast at our amazing B&B, we did the 17 mile Drive (the famous Pebble Beach route).  The last time I did this was apparently in high school - I thought it was longer - and Dave's never done it.  Of course we came upon one or two dream homes...

There are about 19 different turn outs where you can park the car and explore.  This one was one of the few beaches you could walk on, most were gated off.

Further down the road is the world famous - Lone Cypress.  This tree has sat alone on the rocks for more than 250 years.  These Cypress trees have a life expectancy of 300 years.

And then there's the very ritzy Pebble Beach - this is the Lodge/Golf Club.

After doing the 17 Mile Drive, we went back to Cannery Row to do some wine tasting.

 

Unfortunately responsibility called - we had to drive out to pick up Drew who stayed at Camp Grammy's.  Of course the 2:30 trip took more like 4 hours - since it took us 2 hours to get about 40 miles.

From Point to Point, With a Camera Mixed In

While in Monterey we decided to enjoy the sights and sounds as much as possible so we hit up a couple of points... Point Lobos and Lover's Point - and managed to do a little hiking and climbing in there.  Oh and you can't forget the 2 hour camera shopping spree in between.

Let's start at the beginning of our day on Saturday.... after breakfast we headed over to Point Lobos along the Carmel Coast.  I've heard my Aunt and Uncle rave about this State Preserve, and it didn't disappoint - well except for the part where the rocks swallowed up our camera only 10 minutes after arriving.

Here are a few of the shots before the "old" camera broke...

And then moments after this shot, I gave Dave the camera and he pulled it while it was on my wrist... and CRASH.  The camera hit the rocks and the lens would no longer work.  Oops.  Talk about a buzz kill. 

Thankfully Dave brought his phone for this walk (mine was in the car - why would you need a phone to enjoy the scenery...?)  So we were able to salvage the trip for some memories.

Yeah, that would be my attempt at a smile while holding the wounded camera....

After hiking through the hills and coastline for about 2 hours we decided it was time to get a new camera.  So we shopped and shopped and shopped.  Another 2 hours later we had our new camera purchase (just another point and shoot) and we were ready for some lunch and then to head over to Lover's Point.  It was maybe a 1/2 mile walk away.

On the way over we spotted some wildlife, including a Harbor Seal.

View from Lover's Point looking toward our B&B.

We happened to go on the weekend where they celebrate the "Festival of Lanterns" - Pacific Grove's tribute to the Chinese settlers who lived there more than a century ago.  It included a fireworks show.

We brought a blanket from the B&B and took claim of one of the rocks headed toward Lover's Point. 

OK this torture session weekend reminiscence will complete tomorrow with our final look at the Monterey Bay area (17 Mile Drive & Cannery Row... with some wine tasting mixed in).

I Could Get Used to the B&B Lifestyle

Since I clearly know how to take a ton of photos I'm splitting up our weekend excursion to Monterey into a series that will be spread throughout the week. 

First up, how we could get used to the B&B lifestyle!  We're already wishing we could go back...

That's our B&B from the "ocean" side - which is directly across the street, and to my back.

Even the parking lot had a Wimbledon-like feel.

And our room was the Monterey - each one has it's own "theme" and name.

And yes, we had a claw-foot tub in the room.  As in the middle of the room.

Later we even played pool on a 100 year old pool table.

  And if I don't tell this story I'll be "disowned", so bear with me while I take you on a side-tangent.  So on our first date, after playing miniature golf, Dave and I went to his bar hangout and played pool.  He casually informed me that if you sink the 8-ball on the break, you win.  Then proceeded to do it!

Fast forward 12 years (almost to the day I might add... just about 10 days shy) and did it again.  On the 100 year-old-pool table.  

I on the other hand sucked like usual.

Every morning we had an amazing breakfast and an amazing view.  This is from our final day there...

 French toast Casserole, sausage and berries, fresh squeezed juice, and some tasty coffee!

We both had to take advantage of the amenities at the B&B including the library!  (yep, that's Dave reading!)

And the patio area.... (the room in the back there is where that pool table is housed).

And in the garage they have several old cars...

Dave had to get in the drivers seat in at least one of them....

We LOVED this weekend and miss it more than you can imagine.  It was really nice to get pampered, served and waited on for a few days.  Needless to say we're counting down to Hawaii....