So much to do and see

Yesterday we drove from Cambria to Monterey via California Highway1, a winding two lane road that follows the coastline.  The sun was shining and traffic was kind of light . . . we saw lots of those happy California cows grazing on hillsides that overlooked the ocean.  I was looking forward to enjoying the quaint little village of Carmel . . . at least the one of my memories.  Carmel is now a congested mess that I don't even want to think about.  I suddenly became concerned Monterey might now be as over-run with people and cars, but I need not have worried.  The Monterey I knew 33 years ago is still there.  Though the organ grinder and his monkey are gone, and the soft pretzel street purveyor is now in the past, the harbor is still much the same with barking harbor seals, sailboats, and lots of colorful people.  Jon, Sparta, and I enjoyed a lovely lunch on Fisherman's Wharf; we had more oysters, this time pan fried with a spinach salad.  Sparta had a medium rare ground beef burger on top of her regular food.  After lunch we strolled around Fisherman's Wharf and Cannery Row; eventually we made our way to our room at the Best Western Victorian Inn.  We loved our outdoor patio; while we were sipping some wine a rainbow appeared to welcome us.  It is amazing how many rainbows find us while we are traveling.  Sparta enjoyed playing on the beaches.  Yesterday she made fast friends with a little Australian Shepard named Sidney . . .they romped all over the beach and both got soaked in the incoming tide.  This morning we went for an early walk on another beach.  Sparta was lucky again in finding a good playmate.  This one was a large part Ridgeback named Jammer.  We walked along with Jammer's human for quite a while so Sparta and Jammer could wear each other out.  It started pouring rain just as we got back to the hotel . . . .then it was time to pack up and drive up to Sonoma where we are now.  The drive was pretty.  We stopped to photograph the Golden Gate Bridge as well as San Francisco from the Sausalito side.  This afternoon we shopped for groceries and cooked a mussel and pasta dinner . . . and we are still sipping some of the Honig Sauvignon Blanc we bought to go with our meal.  Tomorrow we begin our vineyard visits.  Cheers Everybody!