Boy, is it ever LA!
Eventually, we got away from the traffic and decided to stop for dinner.
Cafffeeeiiinnneee....
We decided to actually eat on the road, which saved some time. One of the paternal units noticed the beautiful sunset (sunsets would be a theme during the trip). The sky was colorful, wide, and haunting.
Highway sunset
Surprisingly, we got to the hotel before 11 p.m. allowing us to settle in for the night. The emptiness of the lobby was a bit...odd.
We got here at ten. What did you expect?
Cramming everyone into a single room was interesting, but it was fun to be together.
Jerome, my travel buddy, and Kevin, my father's plesiosaur, claim the fridge
Due to the noise from the traffic and excitement for the day, no one slept well. So I recommended a location offering a healthful breakfast.
Chocolate cake!
Cake: the nationally-recognized breakfast of weekends. Actually, most of the family chose traditional items, such as quiche, vegetable pastries, or oatmeal for breakfast. I just could not resist the glory of ganâche.
After eating something and purchasing a snack, we went to the aquarium. The line was longer than expected, but the wait was worth it. Construction closed the otter exhibit, so a sea otter viewing area was set up over the harbor. We saw a mother with a pup and a very adventurous otter.
After eating something and purchasing a snack, we went to the aquarium. The line was longer than expected, but the wait was worth it. Construction closed the otter exhibit, so a sea otter viewing area was set up over the harbor. We saw a mother with a pup and a very adventurous otter.
Monitor da ottas!
The maternal unit payed for us to go on a tour. The exhibit overview intrigued Jerome.
Swan dive in 5...4...3...
Jerome also met some new friends at the mackerel exhibit.
Jerome, a bison, and a dolphin watch the fishes
Among aquariums, Monterey is well known for its jellyfish population. The sea jellies range from tiny crystal jellies to enormous sea nettles.
Jellies and Jerome
While the pretty jellies distracted the others, Jerome and I sought out the secrets of the exhibits.
Jelly lab!
After the incident last time, I kept Jerome away from the canning equipment. He still got in trouble.
Help!
Despite the trauma, it was a fun day. Like the day before, it ended with a glorious sunset.
Pretty...
Everyone was really hungry, though, so we went to a highly recommended cafe halfway down an otherwise abandoned pier. Our initial misgivings proved false, as the food and the staff were some of the best I have ever experienced (go to Lou Lou's in Monterey; you will not regret it).
Flowers!
We enjoyed the wonders of cable television before calling it a night. The next day, we visited the bakery again.
Wouldn't you come back?
This time, I got a more traditional breakfast (the maternal unit bought us a cake to bring home!).
Traffic was okay, but the trip was one of the best gifts I ever received. Now, I would like to celebrate some of the people who made it so:
The guest service staff, who never receive the thanks they deserve;
the Bearer of the Jelly Roll;
the Godzilla vs. Giantcrabinator knockoff;
the Otter Queen;
Patrick and the Lady of the Penguins;
the Blue Wizard of the Outer Bay;
Patrick again (this time, in Tour Guide mode!);
Benito, the man who taught me chowder was to be loved, not feared;
and, of course, the family unit, whose encouragement, generosity, and kindness will forever be an inspiration.
Next week, I am burning some vacation time, so look forward to updates. Until then, peace out, mah ninjas!
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