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Having
worked hard ever since she came to visit on 16 DEC 2002, Anya was thrilled
to have a break from her studies and to have the opportunity to travel
over Easter vacation. As we departed on 4/12/03, we took this photo
as we left our house.
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All
Russians know the name “Santa Barbara” because that is the
name of a TV ‘soap’ program which played on Russian TV for
many years. So, for Anya to say she ‘had been there,’ our
first stop was this small seaside town north of Los Angeles.
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Lena
and Anya were impressed with this modern version of a 1960’s style
“Hippy Van” we saw parked in a beach front parking area.
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Weather
forecasts at the time we had departed home were for HEAVY RAINS over
the next week in California. We were very concerned as to how rain might
ruin our planned trip up the coast thru Big Sur and Monterey to San
Francisco.
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However,
as seen in these photos of the beach area in Santa Barbara, we did have
some cloudy skies, but no rain. The sun broke through and provided us
the opportunity to get some nice images of a beautiful UNCROWDED beach.
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The
long rows of tall palm trees along the beach area makes this view quite
picturesque.
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The
colorful flowers on the ground cover near the Santa Barbara pier helped
offset the cloudy skies. We then left Santa Barbara and drove north
to Morro Bay to spend the night—and had HEAVY rains during the
evening and following morning.
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After
leaving Morro Bay, we finally drove out of the rain before we reached
the beautiful shoreline in the Big Sur area in California, but we continued
to encounter thick black storm clouds at various times while driving
up the coast.
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This
photo...and the next...
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...are
interesting since they clearly illustrate the dramatic contrasts in
the clouds and sky at various times during our trip up the coast.
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As
we entered Big Sur (about 1.5 hours south of Monterey), we hit some
light showers and stopped at this local souvenir and art shop to look
at some of the merchandise.
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Lena
was not sure if this was quite her style!
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With
the spring flowers in bloom, the coastal views were quite spectacular...
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...and
we were happy that the rains stopped long enough to get these photos.
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Steve
was impressed with this large carved stone statue of two lovers standing
in the area outside the shops and could simply not resist getting into
the act and having his photo taken!
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At
the northern starting point of Big Sur (just to the south of Carmel)
is this particular scenic location across from the Highland’s Inn...
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...and
we were fortunate to have blue skies to get these photos.
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Of
course, any visit to Monterey would not be complete without going to
Fisherman’s Wharf—and we went there twice (on the way to San
Francisco and as well as while we stayed with friends in Watsonville,
CA for several days).
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Monterey’s
harbor and wharf area is rather small, but, quaint.
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Actually,
it has not changed a great deal since Steve was the Navy Exchange Officer
at the Navy Postgraduate School in Monterey (during the period 1974-76)
and lived in Pebble Beach.
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Since
Steve had so much appreciated seeing and photographing this area, it
was one of the first places he had taken Lena after they met in 1998...
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...and
the tradition was carried on by taking Anya to some of his favorite
locations in the area.
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One
of the first things any visitor to Fisherman’s Wharf sees is the
“Monkey Grinder“ at the head of the wharf—and we had
to introduce Anya to the ritual of watching how quickly the little beast
grabbed the dollar bill out of her hand while posing!
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Lena
and Anya pose for the classic photo in front of the pink store at the
head of Fisherman’s Wharf.
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And,
for Anya, posing with this statue was right in keeping with one of her
favorite desserts!
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Steve’s
favorite restaurant on Fisherman’s Wharf had always been ABALONETTI’s
for its famous clam chowder and calamari—and it had also become
Lena’s favorite after introducing her to these menu items during
two previous trips to Monterey.
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After
eating calamari for the first time, Anya quickly decided that she was
IMPRESSED! We not only celebrated Lena’s birthday at ABALONETTI’s
on our way up to San Francisco, but we...
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...also
stopped there again for a clam chowder lunch while we stayed with friends
in Watsonville and explored the Monterey area for a couple of days.
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While
this same statue has been in place outside Rappa’s restaurant at
the far end of Fisherman’s Wharf since the mid-1970’s, Steve
could...
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...not
help but be surprised to discover that CRUISE SHIPS were now stopping
in Monterey’s harbor.
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