The Pinnacles, Point Lobos and the Flawed Christian!

One thing for sure, Cliff and I enjoy a get-away!  And we are always so blessed by them.  It's time together, time to reflect, rejuvenate, renew and a time to meet God in His creation.  I can't say it any better than WE ARE BLESSED!  Time...not things...time is a valuable thing we truly cherish together and with God.

 

Our first stop was at the Pinnacles National Park just about 30 miles south of Hollister.  Cliff and I have always talked about going there...all these 36 years of marriage we have talked about it and we finally made it!  This was going to be a stop to check out the campground and hiking trails.  Had we started a little earlier in the day, we may have made the short hike just over a mile.  But, we wimped out!  The trails lead to a lake...caves...and the hope is along the way you spot a California Condor.  A CC sighting will have to wait for another day.

 

 

So we decided it was time to move onto the coast...beloved Monterey, Carmel and Point Lobos State Rreserve.  All favorite destinations when going to the coast for us.  After driving from the Pinnacles, we arrived at Monterey's Fisherman's Wharf.  Street performers are always amusing and extremely talented!

 



 

After milling around the wharf, in and out of little shops, we finally made a decision to eat at yet another restaurant there we had not tried.  This time we chose Rappa's at the very end of the wharf.  We were not disappointed with our meal and the view was fantastic!

 

 

It seemed the evening fell quickly and we were on our way around the Monterey Peninsula, the scenic way to our motel room.  Oh we had to laugh...it seemed after striking out at two very nice motels we settled for the El Dorado Inn.  It was very quaint on the outside and VERY dated on the inside.  It was ran by a VERY elderly man (kinda crotchety in the evening and totally sweet in the morning) and it was VERY overpriced.  But, what the heck, I slept well!!!  (photo below borrowed from the Internet)

 

 

We got up and was heading to Carmel to our favorite little cafe, From Scratch, the type that is usually only known by the locals.  We have been going there on our visits to the coast for years and some of the same people are still working there.  The food is top notch and we have never been disappointed. 

 

URCH!!  I almost forgot...while traveling from Monterey to Carmel on Hwy 1, I began to start a conversation with Cliff...well, actually it was going to be an apology and to tell him he was right about something.  The day before when Cliff and I were trying to find the road Munras in which has all the motels are on, I thought it was one way and Cliff thought is was another.  Well, guess who was right?  Cliff!  I know, it was just amazing that he was right this time!!!  So, back to traveling to Carmel from Monterey, I noticed the exit to Munras and turned my head to Cliff and began, "Oh yeah, (LOL) Munras" then I was very rudely interrupted by Cliff, "upupupupup!!" with his finger up and running toward my mouth...as to shush me!  I tried to begin again and the same response from Cliff, "upupupupup!"  Okay, now THAT made me MAD!  So Cliff noticed my anger and touch my shoulder (okay...I know...I'm juvenile) and I pulled it away.  He then began to laugh and I blurted, "I was going to tell you that I was wrong about Munras, but this is a bunch of shit!"  Oh my, as God as my witness, I said it!  Well, this began an unstoppable laughter from Cliff.  In fact I really thought we might have an accident as he was laughing so hard, he was crying.  Then I began to laugh and laugh so hard it mad ME cry!  It was a good while before we could stop laughing...almost to our turn off at Carmel.  You see it takes a lot to get me angry and sometimes my buttons are pushed juuuust right and the old me finds it's way out.  I am here to confess I am a flawed Christian.  In need of forgiveness from both Cliff and God, I happen to be one of the lucky ones.  Forgiveness was given!!  Okay, now we can move onto the rest of the amazing day.

After breakfast we traveled just a mile or two south of Carmel to Point Lobos State Reserve.  It truly is "The greatest meeting of land and water in the world."  Cliff and I have made many visits to Point Lobos and have never had the same experience twice.  We like to hike along the cliffs and water's edge there.  Plenty of wildlife to see and the beauty is truly the artistry of God.

 

 I am always mesmerized by the ocean, but so drawn in with the Creator's mastery!!  I never tire or get enough of this!!

Hiking around the Bird Island trail we got to witness Cormorants nesting.  We were told that the blue plumage on their throat area is only visible during mating/nesting season and both the male and female have it.  It was fun to watch them...their enemy is the Seagull who likes to take their eggs.

 

To see more of our little get-away, click on the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVUTNfap9w4

Life is short...share it and live well!!!