Monterey Bau

Monterey Bay is just one of our favorite places. We hadn't planned to stop but just couldn't resist. The windswept coast and bustling town full of tourists and tourist attractions amid a working community is just an intriguing place. We parked alongside the bay and soon found ourselves walking down to Fisherman's Wharf. We resisted buying everyone a jacket while there so don't get your hopes up!


I sampled so much clam chowder that by the time we got to the end of the wharf I wasn't even hungry.


We spent the night at the Elks Lodge and got an early start the next morning on Cannery Row, of fame in Steinbeck's novels. It is just such a fun place to be! This is Doc's biological lab.


And across the street is what was Wing Chong's store. I tend to do a little shopping here.


The area was a busy sardine town with factories and canneries lining the streets. Scientists studied the industry and there were regulations so the sardines wouldn't be depleted.


In the old Portola Sardine factory is one of the best marine aquariums I have ever visited.


A free trolley runs back over to the pier. We stood in line but then decided it was time for a bike ride, but not before we toured the outlet mall. I did get some good bargains and caught Leon doing a little wishful thinking in the candy store.


During and after World War I the Spanish immigrants came to the area and worked in the sardine factories. They lived in houses such as these in nearby neighborhoods.


Monterey and Pacific grove lie side by side along the bay and it is hard to tell when you cross the line but they appear to be quite different. We wandered back and forth during our two day stay.

Salinas, Ca.

On the way north I couldn't resist stopping at the James Dean memorial not far from where he died. The reason this time was to do the geocache there which we quickly accomplished.


We arrived in Salinas, the breadbasket of America. The breadth of the food production in this area always amazes me. Food is shipped all over the US from this California town.


But on this trip I decided it was time to visit the Steinbeck museum and what a treat it was. Different vignettes highlighted the many novels he wrote as well as other aspects of his life.


He grew up not far from the center that pays tribute to his life.


Even though he spent much of his working life among the workers about whom he wrote he did attend college for six years but never graduated. I was excited to see the camper he used in his book Travels with Charley, which I read about him and his poodle traversing the United States in a truck with a camper while on one of my trips.





Mission accomplished and on we went to a town which had such an impact on his writings - Monterey.

Bakersfield, Ca

We arrived in Bakersfield with a couple of extra days to visit with Leon's family before Blade's high school graduation - the reason for the trip. Leon spent a lot of time wandering the streets and reminiscing about old times. His daughter flew in from London for the occasion and it was great to visit with her and her husband. It was also his nephew's high school graduation but, wouldn't you know, they both fell on the same day. Leon had a good visit with his daughter, nephew, and sister when we managed to get together for lunch one day.


We also spent a little time riding our bikes alongside the Kern River. I stopped at a slant board and did four sit-ups one day while waiting for Leon to visit with a new friend. I was sore for days; not from the bike but the slant board! The city has wonderful bike trails that go for miles passing many oil pumps along the way.


The Oleander, freeway flowers as Leon calls them, were in full bloom in a variety if colors.


Walmart was our home for three nights and were we surprised - wifi in the parking lot! I spotted this oddity online and was glad we drove by. Now that is a shoe shop!


The big day arrived and we sat in the bleachers for three hours to watch six hundred students graduate, but it was all worth it to see Blade walk. He will now go to London to work. We got to visit with Leon's other grandson Gunner several times and are excited about the accomplishments he has made since he got out of the Air Force and visited us last December.


The weather was perfect while we were in town but the day after graduation the temperature was supposed to soar so we sped away.

Tehachapi, Ca

After leaving Prescott we decided to make a day of driving to get across the Mojave Desert and reach the cool mountain air of Tehachapi. We expected heavy traffic would be returning home after a holiday weekend and once we passed the turn for Lake Havasu we realized where many of the population from LA had gone. Soon the mountains came into view.


We turned eastward and although we left the traffic we were greeted by the strong winds that turn the turbines that line the hillsides.


We arrived about dusk and Leon was excited to go out to Stallion Springs and check on the progress of the house he had built. We passed the organic farms and grass (sod) growers along the way.




Back at the Moose Lodge we had hoped they might be open so we could visit as this is where Leon first joined the Moose. Tehachapi is quite the town for railroad buffs as nearby there is a tunnel through the mountains where the long trains actually loop around and pass themselves.


It is a pleasant little town where we enjoyed a pleasant night before descending the mountains into the land of warmer temperatures. Good morning, Bakersfield!

Prescott, Az

Our final stay in Arizona was in the town of Prescott which promptly felt like our hometown also.



We located the historic downtown area which was lively with lots of folks at the art fair that was taking place on the courthouse lawn in the town square.
Kids were playing games not far from all the white tents filled with art.


Lining one side of the square was the street known as whiskey row. At one time all the businesses were bars and saloons but some have been replaced by retail shops. There were still plenty of options for drink and merriment. We chose Jersey Lilly's, quite appropriately decorated for the holiday.







I am not sure where this wedding was taking place but they were obviously going with a western flair for the feet.



At the local Walmart that night I observed how many people were sleeping there, not just in rv's and motor homes, but also trucks and cars and vans and some a combination of several.



And a better view. She left Walmart early but only to go to the nearby park to walk her dog.



I began to wonder what Sam might need to provide for his people if he is to start housing the homeless; perhaps a playground for the children or wifi for us in need.

We dedicated most of the day to driving determined to cross the Mojave Desert and reach the cool mountain air of Tehachapi before dark. We knew the traffic might get heavy with people returning home from a holiday and indeed it did with all the LA folks heading southwest. We turned west and left them in backed up traffic while we fought the wind to Tehachapi, California.

Jerome, Az

This old mining town was a rare find for us, one that you immediately are glad you didn't bypass. After mining declined the people left but the town was saved by the hippies that moved in. Evidence of old deserted home places dotted the steep mountainsides.


The state historical park was a treat where we learned much of the history of the area. The town's history as a mining town began in 1876 and soon there were mining shacks of board and canvas in the mining camp. The town grew and prospered and eventually even had an opera house but mining days came to an end in 1953. By the 1960s it was a ghost town.



Here we even located the carriage that was used in the movie Oklahoma which once belonged to the owner if this large home converted to a museum.



Many relics from the glory days of copper mining when the population was 15,000 were displayed in this 1916 mansion that belonged to James Douglas. It was built on a hill above the Little Daisy Mine and designed to be a hotel for mining officials and investors as well as his family home.



On this day it seemed like there might be 15,000 people in town celebrating the Memorial Day weekend. The winding streets were cluttered with cars and motorcycles and tourists which we would have liked to join, but with the lack of an obvious parking spot we were out of town in no time. One of the highlights had been the view of these cacti blooming on the hillside.



I marveled at how the houses were kept from sliding down the hills.



We were warned of the forthcoming steep and winding mountain drive and given one last view of the hidden treasure we had discovered.

Cottonwood, Az

Sometimes you pull into a town and immediately know you will like it. It was this feeling in Cottonwood. We wandered through the old town combining window shopping and further investigation at Larry's. I soon knew if I did not leave while I was still near the front door then I might become lost in paradise.



I don't believe they were exaggerating about the two acres of antiques.


The town in the Verde valley had painted wine barrels placed around town. I always like a good theme. The Verde Valley is home to many vineyards. Originally the town was a stop-over for travelers to Oak Creek and other places as it was one of three main crossings over the Verde River. They became a supplier of fresh produce to the nearby copper town of Jerome.



We decided not to go on to Prescott but stay at the local Walmart and take the jail trail along the Verde River the next morning. What a pleasant walk among the giant cottonwoods.









The moonflowers were still blooming and added a nice touch.


The trail got its name from the fact that it began at the old jail, which had been converted to a cute tea room.



After a picnic in the park I visited the Clemenceau Heritage Museum and was quite impressed with the room that was filled with a model train depicting the old town. We soon went down the road to visit the neighboring town of Jerome.

Sedona

From Flagstaff we drove down the steep winding road south on 89A along Oak Creek Canyon to Sedona. We made a stop in the Coconino Forest to check out some BLM camping but continued on to town. Soon the red rocks for which the town is famous came into view.


We had plenty of time to look at the rocks and take photos as we neared town because the holiday traffic was bumper to bumper creeping through the town.

We observed the tourists trying to locate parking places to shop the shops that tend to blend with the background but decided we would keep on driving.

Soon we were rolling along the red rock scenic drive admiring g more of nature's beauty as we made our way to Prescott and the Walmart that will allow you to park overnight.