Monterey Bay, Feb 26th

OK, so a mega-update. Bonnie and I had our 2-year anniversary! Getting close to being my longest continuous relationship, which I know it will become for the long run. We celebrated late, combining with the Valentine observance, and waiting til after the Valentine busy weekends. Went to Monterey overnite for 26th. Left not too early on Saturday morn, got in around noon, couldn't check into our place til 3 PM. It was close to Asilomar, so we invaded their grounds, went to the beach, and rocks, walked around the golf course and the gift shop. Checked in, chilled for a bit at the room. We got a 2-day-for-1-price Aquarium pass, so we wanted to split a visit over 2 days. We went into town, strolled through the Natural History Museum and that hood, then the Aquarium (cause a little stress between us trying to find a parking space, and wanting to get in before it closed). Then we went into old town to grab a burrito, catch a movie - "World's Fastest Indian", which I had seen in New Zealand and liked alot; and check out the Monterey Peninsula's pre-eminent Death Metal band (love Bonnie so much for being such a sport). The next day, Bonnie went out on her own for some breakfast, beach, and writing, we checked out before noontime and strolled Cannery Row - some pirate souvenir shopping; a bike ride on a stella(?); the Slow Burn store; and Bubba Gump for lunch (where we got a watered-down, even perhaps rumless 'lavaflow' cocktail but got an extra shot of rum when we flipped the sign), and a return visit to the Aquarium. OK - lemme pause for some thought here :

Then at the end of the day, we decided to drive the famous 17-mile drive. Didn't know it was gated, with a fee. Which wouldn't be so bad, if it were scenic shores, lush forest, contemplative trails. The majority of what we saw from the road was mansions. Or, rather, gates to mansions. 8 bucks to look at wealthy people's property from afar?? Up the proles!

So, nice ride back, and we were facing Sunday evening. Cozy.