#monterey

Sardines swimming in a circle, pod of dolphins, chonky squirrels. Locations: Monterey and Pacific Grove, CA, USA. 🦦 🐟 🌊

Wrapping it up in Monterey

Yesterday marked our final day in Monterey, and what a beautiful way to close this leg of our journey.

We spent the morning hiking through Point Lobos, and it was absolutely breathtaking. The rugged coastline, crashing waves, and peaceful trails showed us once again how incredible California's coast truly is.

Later, we visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which was lovely and well worth the experience. Seeing the marine life up close gave us an appreciation for the ocean we enjoy.

Of course, we couldn't leave without one last stroll through Cannery Row. We wrapped up the evening with dinner at the Whaling Station. While the atmosphere was nice, we found it a bit overpriced for what was served. As restaurant owners, perhaps we see things through a different lens, but we would give the food a solid 4 stars.

The biggest takeaway from Monterey was the time spent together. Between Point Lobos, Big Sur, Carmel-by-the-Sea, 17-Mile Drive, sea otters, sea lions, and deep conversations, this stop gave Todd and me exactly what we needed: time to reconnect, reflect, and simply enjoy the journey.

Today we head north to Mendocino and Schoolhouse Creek. The road continues, and so does our adventure.

Yesterday was one of those perfect days that reminds us why we love to travel.

We started our morning with breakfast at From Scratch in Carmel-by-the-Sea, enjoying breakfast, visiting the local Farmer's Market, and taking in the relaxed coastal atmosphere. From there, we wandered through the charming boutiques and hidden courtyards that make Carmel so special. I love the vibe here, and there were quite a few young ones, that where very curious about the ducks in my jeep. I handed out a few. One child, probably 4 years old, asked if my JEEP was electric or gas... too cute!

One of the highlights of the day was driving the iconic 17-Mile Drive. The scenery was breathtaking, with dramatic coastline views, towering cypress trees, and the endless blue Pacific stretching as far as the eye could see. We stopped at Pebble Beach and had the opportunity to see the famous finishing hole of one of the most celebrated golf courses in the world. Some of the homes on this stretch, were brilliant!

Later, we visited Fisherman's Wharf, where we watched the sea lions put on a show. Their barking echoed across the harbor, and although we spotted several sea otters floating offshore, they proved too camera-shy for me to capture. I will try again today.

We spent time walking the beach, soaking in the ocean air, sipping wine, and grazing on fresh ceviche, oysters, and clams. The weather could not have been more beautiful.

Todd and I are blessed for a reminder to make time for each other, to explore, and to embrace the beauty that surrounds us.

We are grateful for every mile, every memory, and every moment of this adventure.

1968 Mercury Monterey 4-door Hardtop

My tumblr blogs:

1968 Mercury Monterey 4-door Sedan

My tumblr blogs:

1968 Mercury Monterey 2-door Hardtop Coupé

My tumblr blogs: