Dale Matson
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We were unable drive to the east side of the Sierra because the smoke was worse over there and the Inyo National Forest trails were closed because of the smoke. So…we decided to spend a couple of days (Monday/Tuesday) on the central coast. From Fresno, we went north on Highway 99 to 152 to 156 and then south on Highway One to Monterey. It takes about 2.5 to 3 hours depending on traffic.
The town hasn’t changed much over the years and we kind of knew our way around. We parked at the city lot near Fisherman’s Wharf and headed toward the Wharf for lunch. I think it is now called “Scales” but used to be called Fisherman’s Grotto. We got nice outside seats upstairs and had clam chowder in a bread bowl. After lunch we had a chocolate desert from a candy store just on the other side of the wharf.
We then headed to Point Lobos (the whales are currently not migrating by). Point Lobos (poison oak aside) is a huge location with lots of trails along the ocean with some going through Cypress groves. If you want to see Pelicans, this is the place, although they migrate in the winter to Baja California (Mexico).
There are also harbor seals and sea lions on the rocks with other costal birds. Many of the rocks are white with guano from the birds.
The sound of the ocean surf reminds me of an endless lullaby. The ocean also has its own smells. Drying seaweed mixed with dead marine life. The sound helped dull my Tinnitus. It was fun to take off our shoes and socks and let the surf run up our ankles as we walked along the beach. Some folks would call this “Grounding” or “Earthing”. I love the various shades of blue and green the ocean calls forth and the waves crashing against the rocks.
We had brought a sack lunch with us from home so we had that for dinner at the historic Martine Inn in Pacific Grove. There was no coffee until breakfast at 8am so we walked up the street to the “First Awakening” coffee shop at 7am.
After breakfast, we checked out and headed to 17-mile drive. After that we went back to the wharf in Monterey for lunch and had the same lunch had more candy at the same places again. Then we headed home to Fresno.
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