04.09.11
Posted in Road Trip, photo, travel, vacation at 3:33 pm by heidihoho7
We had grand plans for our full day in Monterey, which started off with a super yummy breakfast at the Cadillac Cafe in Corralitos. With our much needed energy for the day, we made our way to Monterey Bay where we rented sit-on-top kayaks. After a quick, but quite good introduction to paddling strokes, we were on our way!
I took the risk and brought the DSLR with me (in baggies none the less) and before we knew it the seals found us, posing for pictures! The harbour seals, sea lions, and sea otters all hang out together on a peninsula near the wharfs and the kayakers definitely pique their curiosity. We had shadows for most of the trip, but took care not to get too close a we didn’t want that huge fine for interacting with them. (but that didn’t stop the critters from checking us out)
We worked our way towards the aquarium where there is a nice kelp forest. The water was a spectacular deep green, and the kelp flowed with the currents in hypnotic waves. We took some time to enjoy the view, the fresh air, and give our muscles a break from working our way out against the wind.
Eventually the breeze started to chill us so we made our way back, with no spills and cameras still dry.
Fisherman’s wharf was calling (Chowder, chowder, chowder! come eat me!) and so we did. After a few tastings we decided to get a bread bowl and warm up on a couch with its own fireplace. After exploring the wharf a bit more we determined we didn’t have enough time for both the aquarium and Point Lobos, so we decided to hit the point… those jellies are coming to chicago so i wasn’t too disappointed.
After a short drive and parking scuffle, we were hiking out to the beautiful points of Point Lobos. Once again the water is just a beautiful deep blue, crashing into the cliffs.
The famous cyprus trees surrounded us… taking our time we walked the loop stopping so many times to enjoy the views.
I found some paintbrush wildflowers (orange!) and enjoyed snapping pics as i saw them. On our way back the light was shining just wonderfully through the trees and it felt almost like Middle Earth… the trees weren’t talking to me, but with a bit of imagination the ents would have said, sit down and stay… don’t rush!
After a fun afternoon of hiking we decided to try to drive the 17 mile drive, but then detoured when we realized you had to pay and realized the houses in the area were awesome anyways… there were some crazy roofs (wavy!) and just some cute rock homes, very gingerbready…
We made our way home, fixed some yummy food, and finished the night watching a movie all cuddling together on the couch.
Time to head home
So my last day of my trip we decided to head back to San Fran/Oakland after a leisurely breakfast. We made good time and stopped in to grab Mariana’s ID, as it was the Peruvian voting day. We made our way downtown and realized there are a LOT of peruvians in San Fran! We dropped her off to get in line to vote and went off to try to find parking… after much circling we realized there were too many voters and opted to head a bit more west and found a great ramen place. YUM!
We were just heading back when we heard voting had been completed, and Mariana had a plan… crazy ice cream at Humphry Slocombe. And when i say crazy, i mean crazy… Salt & Pepper? yep. Foie Gras? Yep (but not that day), honey thyme, jesus juice, corn… it goes on.. You can taste any of them and they ran out quickly of the best flavors (salt and pepper wasn’t one of them) but i ended up getting Secret Breakfast… corn flakes and bourbon! WTF? oddly good, even though i’m not a bourbon fan!
a perfect end to my trip, a fun city day with basically no pictures haha! Thanks to both Geoff and mariana for a wonderful finale!
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04.08.11
Posted in travel, vacation at 10:43 pm by heidihoho7
Today was a travel day for me, and after all these nights of editing photos and trying to figure out how to fit them all on my space deficient laptop i was tempted to sleep in yet again. I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before packing up, taking a last walk around the lodge and taking in its beauty, then getting on my way.
One thing that was ideal during my stay was that all the road work (due to mudslides) was south of where I was staying in Lucia (and it closed off the area after 7pm). In addition the road was also closed semi-permanently to the north of Bixby Bridge due to the slip out (aka the road fell into the ocean), which meant absolutely no traffic from 7pm to 7am. We were kind of trapped, which was actually pretty cool. On my drive out I had to document all the construction… (1 stoplight, and 2 stop signs)
I learned that the road i’d taken in Nacimiento-Ferguson had a nickname.. the Nasty-Ferg or something like that which i found kind of funny but also indicates some not so nice accidents had happened on that road. I was reminded of that even more as i was enjoying the crazy roads when i happened upon 2 fedex trucks and the big UPS Van in the middle of a tight curve each time. Note to Heidi, don’t be a moron and drive safely. With fewer stops on my way back i made fairly good time back to King City.
I had to make 1 pitstop in King City… this is where Bela and our friend Geoff lived for a while over 10+ years ago. Bela had worked at the Denny’s right off the highway and I felt it was only fitting to make an obligatory driveby, which worked out well as i got gas literally right next door. I was meeting Geoff and Mariana in a few short hours so i didn’t stay to explore their old town.
After returning my rental in San Jose, i found Geoff and Mariana and we headed back out to the coast, only this time to the north a bit into Santa Cruz, another fun coastal city known for its surfing. I was amazed at how many surfers would be out at one time fighting for the waves. At one spot i swear i saw possibly 100 surfers. It was a bit chilly so we didn’t stay to watch them long.
After a quick stop at Bridges SP we decided it was time for some food and to retire for the night. A friend of theirs has a house nearby that we were very lucky to be able to use. We had a great home cooked meal and i cuddled up in a down comforter on the couch to veggie and turn in early for the night. After all these long crazy days I think I’m almost ready to head home… well almost 
1 more full day to go!
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09.28.10
Posted in photo, travel, vacation at 11:48 am by heidihoho7
Avalanche Ranch
So our last morning we slept in yet again, but then again that would be the case for getting up anytime after 6am! Kay had enjoyed the ranch the day before and suggested we do the same. Although I didn’t explore very far it was a very cute place with lots of fun animals and adorable cabins. We wandered for a while looking at the animals and buildings before deciding we had a long drive ahead of us with a few pit stops to make. We eventually packed up, said our goodbyes to Barb and Chuck, and got back on the road.
Ashcroft Ghost Town
Our first stop was Ashcroft – a little ghost town in the Castle Creek Valley just south of Aspen. It has some interesting history… in 1880 the town started booming due to mining and had up to 2500 residents, but within 20 years it was down to 2! The info boards also stated that many of the homes had been wheeled in, and in turn wheeled back out – most to Aspen further down the valley.
A reflection in the saloon windows.
You can tell i liked this house with the yellow curtains- they matched the yellow aspens!
Just 4 days earlier that mountainside was all yellow, what a difference a few days can make!
On the road back to Aspen we stopped again to enjoy the beautiful fall color.
After hitting aspen for a quick lunch and tripod return, we were headed up to Independance Pass. After our week of beautiful mountain passes I thought it was pretty, but in a different way… many more evergreens and above tree line for much of it – in addition to the crazy skinny roads that you had to share. It was a fun ride, but i think i’d take Keblar any day! After a few hours we were back in Frisco.
My final images of the trip – more aspens! This pretty tree called to me while i was filling some time waiting for my shuttle. We stopped at a cute little park where some teens were slack lining (fitting i thought!) and just enjoyed the views for a minute before i headed back to Denver.
A wonderful trip, and a highly recommended location for anyone who loves fall color, aspens, or just getting into the mountains and being awed around just about every bend in the road! 
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