Before The Deluge: November 2019

Last week I visited beautiful Monterey California and the Big Sur area for a conference. It was a busy few days, but I was able to take in some of the highlights of the area. I hope to return some day soon with family.

I flew out of Everett Thursday morning, which was my first flight ever from Paine Field. Very nice—a shorter drive, and a very pleasant terminal. After landing in San Jose, I grabbed a rental and made the drive down through the Salinas Valley to Monterey.

I got sidetracked for a few minutes in Gilroy, the self-declared garlic capital of the world. I kind of like this out of the way spot. I drove on the 101, and then to Pacific Coast Highway 1, through the valley floor and miles of farm fields. It kind of reminded me of home, the Skagit Valley, at times, but they have more smoke right now, from the wildfires.

On advice, I drove directly to the Point Lobos Natural Reserve, which is just south of Carmel. A beautiful little peninsula—a full nature reserve—it has to be one of California’s highlights. I went for a run along waterside trails, taking in the birds and rock formations. Although you can see homes on the hill, the reserve itself has a wild feel, and is much loved. People go there to watch for whales. I didn’t see any, but I didn’t look too hard.

After that, down the famous Pacific Coast Highway 1, to the famous Bixby Bridge in Big Sur. I just had to see this much photographed bridge, which was built during the Depression. It is a beautiful bridge and location. From there, I had to rush back to Monterey, check in, dress up, and begin my conference. I spoke that night, which meant it was a really full day for me. I ended the day on Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf, at a nice restaurant with some local rockfish and superb clam chowder.

Friday was all work, until the evening, when I attended a beach event with DJ, campfires, drinks and s’mores.

On Saturday morning I ran the Pacific Grove Lighthouse 5k, a beautiful coastal race which is part of the Monterey Half Marathon weekend. Steve Scott, a local there, helped officiate the event. He’s ran over 100 sub four minute miles and I used to follow his racing in Runner’s World when I was a high school runner. I finished just under 30 minutes, while stopping to take pictures. Not fast, obviously, but I’ve been slower. Always work to be done.

Later, I visited Cannery Row, immortalized by John Steinbeck’s book of the same name. And then I went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. This is one of the best aquariums in the world, by reputation, and I won’t argue. I’ll put up a separate post of photos from there--because that place was *amazing*, but I will say that beyond the amazing sights, I was much impressed by all the conservation messaging and education that the aquarium has. The war on plastic has begun.

Exhausted, I drove back the way I came, caught my flight, and was glad to be home for SNL.