Monterey, CA

Monterey, California! Hello readers and thanks for catching back up again with Dave and I. Today I write to you from city of Monterey along the Pacific Coast in central California. Monterey is home to the Naval Postgraduate School, the Defense Language Institute (in which my nephew David is a graduate of!) the Monterey Institute of International Studies, the former Fort Ord, part of which is now the site of California State University Monterey bay; Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the Monterel American Viticulture Area; Cannery Row, Fisherman's Wharf and a Marina Mammal Center field station located in the area. It is from Monterey that they semi-hard cheese known as Montery Jack originated!

Dave and I arrived on Friday, August 31. We flew from San Antonio to San Jose and with a rental car made our way to Monterey. We first stopped in Gilroy (known for cattle, garlic, and strawberries) to have lunch with my sister Tracie and Jim who happened to be in Monterey the last two days prior. Jim works for Sun and was in town for an Intel fundraising conference for First Tee; http://www.firsttee.org/

After lunch we made the drive into Monterey watching the beautiful coastline. We checked in to the Hotel Pacific http://www.hotelpacific.com/ The Hotel Pacific is located in downtown within walking distance to Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery Row and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. This hotel touts itself as the only all-suite hotel in Monterey. All the rooms have fireplaces in them. Here's a photo of a guestroom; unfortunately our room doesn't have this lovely view but it's nice nonetheless.

After check in we made our way over to a free trolley for a quick tour of Monterey to familiarize ourselves with the area. We got off the trolley and walked through Fisherman's Wharf; took photos of the sea lions and otters and stopped for a drink. That evening we had dinner reservations at Fresh Cream Restaurant http://www.freshcream.com The restaurant is situated in a area of buildings referred to as Heritage Harbor which overlooks Monterey Harbor. The food was very good and the ambiance delightful. We'll be back again on Monday evening!

The weather has been incredible! The sun is shining and temperatures are mid 70's to 80's with cool evenings. We've even been sleeping with the windows open; something you just can't do this time of year in San Antonio.

On Saturday we had continental breakfast at the hotel and made our way over to the Links at Spanish Bay Golf Course for an 11:00 am tee time http://www.pebblebeach.com Dave and I were paired with a twosome; Jim and Dana from St. Louis. The Links at Spanish Bay is just one of the courses in the Pebble Beach Resorts' golf gallery. Unfortunately; during this trip; we were unable to secure tee times at Pebble Beach in that Wal-Mart was hosting a golf tournament. Our golf is limited to tee times to Spanish Bay and the Spyglass Hill.

Spanish Bay is a Scottish links course. Links is an old Scottish word for sandy wasteland, usually near the sea, with bristly grasses and ever prevailing wind. The Links at Spanish Bay are so authentic that even the Monterey coastline mirrors the rugged, natural beauty of Scotland.

For the avid golf fans; here at the stats at the course in which we played:

18 Holes Par:
72 Blue Rating:

74.1/Slope 146; Yardage - 6,821
Gold Rating: 72.0/Slope 137; Yardage - 6,422
White Rating: 70.3/Slope 129; Yardage - 6,043
Red Rating: 72.1/Slope 129; Yardage - 5,332

Confident Amy felt as if her three sleeves of golf balls would be sufficient. Funny girl! Three sleeves later I finished my round. I shot a 106. I was a little disappointed but Dave said that I shouldn't worry about a score and enjoy the round and my surroundings. Let me tell you; to see the ocean from your tee box on the horizon is an incredible picture. Later today we play at Spyglass so I'll report back to you with the results.

After golf we dined on the patio of Spanish Bay. Each night at 6:00 pm a bag piper plays on the number 1 tee and makes his way to number 2 and closes the course. This is unique to Spanish Bay only; it was so fascinating to hear and watch!

When the piper finished we decided to drive along 17-mile Drive. 17-mile Drive hugs the Pacific coastline and the Del Monte Forest! It's also home to the Lone Cypress, Seal and Bird Rocks, Fanshell Beach, Point Joe and the colliding currents of the Restless Sea. We drove a portion of it into Carmel-by-the-Sea; or known just as Carmel to watch the sunset. For those of you Clint Eastwood fans; he was Mayor back in 1986-1988.

Carmel is a beautiful walkable historic city with houses overlooking the ocean. Last night (and we're sure due to the Labor Day holiday) was teeming with cars, people and dogs! We simply pulled over without getting out of the car to watch the sunset. Afterwards we finished our 17-mile Drive tour and made our way back to the hotel.

Today we have a 12:50 pm tee time at Spyglass. I'm a little nervous but I plan to simply relax and enjoy my surroundings.

I am unable to upload photos we've shot thus far on to this posting so upon return home I will do so then. Until then; enjoy the readings and the links; golf and internet! Pin It Now!