Exploring Monterey

On Monday, we were still thinking about the beautiful dinner and celebration the night before at The Lodge at Pebble Beach.  Had breakfast in Herrmann Hall at El Prado - they have a buffet type meal and it's a good start to the day.  Paul and Sandy came down and joined us and we planned out our day's activities. 

Paul gave us a tour around the academic area of the Naval Post Graduate School, starting with Starbucks and then over to his office area (or where he hangs his hat while at NPS).  Met some of the people from the bar-b-que on Saturday and it was like old home week.  Strange how you meet some people and you feel like you have know them forever.  One of the highlights was a walk along a portico of one of the buildings which showed  a time line of NPS, the US Navy, Del Monte Hotel, distinguished graduates, history making events which occurred because of the school and its' graduates,etc.  Very interesting and there was a time line along the bottom of the displays which showed significant events of the time.  One display had the history of NPS at Monterey which clarified some of the dates involved.

It was in 1943 that the Del Monte Hotel was taken over by the USN and six years later that HST sent a check to the owners.  Little late, but probably appreciated.  The money was used to develop another property which the owners had - some nondescript place known as Pebble Beach.

We took a drive from Monterey to Moss Landing, a little fishing village about twenty miles north on the coast (obviously :-).  Quaint little village with buildings that were somewhat the worse for wear.  One of the more intriguing buildings was the William Shakespeare Museum - who knew ole Bill came to Moss Landing.  The owner was a very loquacious individual who was not loath to tell all about the history and contents of the building.  Long story short, their lease expired on a Shakespeare theater in Los Angeles and they ended up in Moss Landing.  Because of their history, they have been the repository (as a non-profit) of all things Shakespearean.  Interesting place.

Toured through a local cafe and gallery called Haute Enchilada which had some interesting art, statues, glasswork, etc. and then had lunch at Phil's Fish House and Eatery.  Long line which was surprising since it was Monday afternoon around 2:00 p.m. and way out of Monterey.  It was a testament to their good food and location on the waterfront.  Walked out back to see the Bay.

Not many people in the water (or even on the beach).  Weather was in the 60's and the Pacific is damned cold (that's a technical term).  

We were curious about the area we had seen across Stillwater Bay the previous night, so we drove south back through Monterey to Point Lobos Nature Reserve.  Neat drive through the cypress, eucalpytus, and other indigenous trees.  Point Lobos is not named after wolves, but after the Indian name for the sea lions - they called them sea wolves.  A little rockier beach area than up in Moss Landing and it was just beautiful (as was the person in the picture).

Drove around the Preserve and then headed back home to Herrmann Hall.  Had some wine and a lot of good conversation before we realized that it was almost nine o'clock and we hadn't eaten.  Went downstairs to The Trident (bar in the basement of the building) and ordered take-out to take back up to the room. 

Fun evening and we solved most of the problems of the world - left a few for another day.  On Tuesday, we're leaving early to head home and Paul & Sandy will also leave to go back to Colorado.  It's been a great weekend!