Thursday, October 7, 2010
Monterey to Carmel, Ca
After an amazingly restful night in Monterey, considering the previous evening, up early and out to the car. After tossing it around in my mind last night, I concluded that the Overdrive solenoid must have failed (it is electric and it wouldn't disengage, and is on the same circuit as the fuel, temp, and signals) and shorted out. So I disconnected the overdrive switch under the dash, Jan and I had breakfast, put the top down and loaded the beast for the day, and off we went in search of spare fuses. At the first service station we found both fuel and fuses, I put them in and the gauges stayed on and the signals worked. Yippee!!! While there, we took some pictures of the Travelodge next to the gas station, it happened to be the very place that Jan and I and Leanne and Tara stayed in 2006 when we flew to San Francisco then rented a car and drove to Los Angeles, staying in Monterey for a night along the way. And an adventure it was, including dinner and shots at the 'Mucky Duck' a couple of blocks down the road. Today we drove to 'the Duck', parked in front of it, and took more pictures. And the memories came back. That years-ago evening was a jolt, the first time Jan and I had seen our daughters 'in action', working a bar and a bunch of guys. Nothing bad happened, it was just girls being girls, and the guys walking around with their tongues hanging out, trying hard. A couple of times I got all puffed up thinking I'd have to defend their honor but the girls just laughed at me and told me to join them and meet the guys. I did, and it was fun, but surreal. A few times I was asked about our daughters, what drinks they liked, did they have boyfriends, stuff like that. I knew what they were thinking, could see it in their eyes, and I was not helpful. The evening ended well, no fights, and we went 'home' as a family to the Travelodge, but it was a memory. This flashed through my mind as I stood outside the bar taking pictures in the morning sun.
A woman came by, offered to take our picture with the car. She said she remembered her days at Berkeley, riding to school in a TR6, 'Maggie May' on the radio, wonderful bygone days, quite misty-eyed she was. These cars do bring back memories. Though I think anyone who survived the '70s at Berkeley would have had their mind altered and memories erased in the process, as it was the center of the LSD and halucinogenic drugs of the day. In fact, I've heard it said that if you can remember the '70s then you weren't really there.
The electrics all work now, but the overdrive is off, so I suppose my diagnosis was correct. That is both good news and bad news, however Moss Motors in Goleta California is definitely on our agenda now.
Parked and went down to 'Cannery Row', made famous by John Steinbeck's writings. Wandered, took pictures, went out on the pier to find an entire colony of Sea Lions basking in the sun, barking and playing in the water. Took thousands of pictures and miles of video, and met a charming English couple holidaying here. Much chatter ensued, little to agree on regarding football as they are Manchester United fans and we cleave toward Totenham Hotspurs thanks to David's tutoring. Lots of fun otherwise, and the fellow sympathized with me regarding English auto electrics. Even he said that Lucas had earned the 'Prince of Darkness' label.
Finally, on the road to Carmel. We found the entrance to the famous '17 Mile Drive', took it, and began a long slow meander among the homes and haunts of the truly rich and famous. The drive took us by the Pebble Beach golf club, which we photographed without truly understanding as neither Jan nor I play golf. No matter, it is a lovely sight to see. Stopped by and had lunch in 'The Tap Room' in the main club house. We enjoyed the relaxed conversation and quiet hum of money at play, and the lovely surroundings. The food, a Cobb salad and a warm chicken salad, was superb and worth the price. I think that all kids should be exposed to this lifestyle at an early age, then denied it, to sharpen their ambition and drive to succeed. Kidding? Of course, but the truly rich are different, live well, and appear to be very happy.
Then out of 'the drive' and into Carmel-by-the-sea. It is a truly pretty community, the high street (shopping area) being about 5 blocks long but packed with very high-end merchandise. We parked, and strolled, and saw, and bought a christmas ornament. Then we stumbled upon a memory long past ... a motel, the Normandy Inn, the place where Jan and I spent the second night of our honeymoon just over 30 years ago. That ended our day right then. We got a room, an absolutely charming one, and spent the night. Lovely memories.
Tomorrow we'll press on south, to Goleta and Los Angeles.
