To paraphrase Clement Moore,
"When out on the walk (and in the rooms above) there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter."
The excerpt from Moore's famous Christmas poem somewhat defines the past night and early morning at the Petaluma Best Western.
Our plan for the day included a visit to Point Reyes National Seashore and to Muir Woods National Monument before our drive over the Golden Gate en-route to Monterey and the rendezvous.
We timed our arrival at Point Reyes for it's opening at ten, little knowing that once in the park we had an additional 30 minute drive to the coast and the lighthouse. In any case we traversed the winding road through farmland, past "Historic Farms A-M" and arrived in the dense fog at the lighthouse. Arriving at the light, we realized that it was still a half mile hike away. Greg and I traipsed up the hill expecting to see the light at the end of the walk, but not so fast, to reach the light after the half mile climb one must descend 308 steps, supposedly the equivalent of a 30-story building. In any case I did descend the 308 steps and reached the actual light. It's hard to imagine a more difficult place to build something such as a lighthouse. One problem with descending 308 steps is the necessity to reverse the process and ascend 308 steps. In any case, I'm glad I made the trek.
By time we had completed the back and forth unplanned mileage and the descent/ascent at the light, we were way behind our planned time line but onward we drove to Muir Woods.
Arriving in the vicinity of Muir Woods we noticed cars parked along the road, a very narrow road I should add, about a half mile before the park. For whatever reason throngs of people both local and tourists had chosen this day to visit the park. That was enough for us, we departed and left Muir Woods for another day.
We made the trip back down the winding hillside and arrived at the Golden Gate around 2 PM. Fog still shrouded the bridge and masked the city in the distance. After a few near collisions we crossed the bridge arriving at what turned out to be the wrong toll lane; with no collector in sight we assumed it was a photo-toll. I suppose that we'll hear about it later, perhaps with a personal letter from Jerry Brown, "the gov".
Once through San Francisco we settled onto CA-1 headed down the coast. At Rockaway Beach we stopped for a late lunch. The restaurant was Nick's; been there since 1927.
And once again to paraphrase Clement Moore, "When what to my wondering eyes should appear", another lighthouse, this time at Pigeon Point. This was an easy decision, as we could drive right up but the light station. We took a few more pictures, got our lighthouse stamps and were on our way, no more stops, well maybe. Someday when you're really bored, ask Greg to tell you about the relationship of the Pigeon Point Light to the Hatteras Light.
Continuing down the beach road we traveled by miles of farmland, growing garlic, berries, brussels sprouts and of course artichokes. Along the beach there were dozens of wet-suited swimmers and surfers.
After a stop for gas in Santa Cruz we joined the Friday afternoon traffic jam; seems like we were in it for ten miles or so but finally the roads opened up and around 6 we arrived in Monterey. Other than a minor problem with a one-way street, our arrival in Monterey was uneventful. Check-in was a breeze and within minutes we had found our rooms and the fireplaces were lit.
Around 7 we headed out for dinner, dining at The Loose Noodle Pasta Restaurant. About half way through the meal the Jones/Price contingent arrived and joined us at the "Noodle". The rendezvous had been made. It's fair to say that we all enjoyed our dinners, some wine and the reunion of the AUS/NZ crew.
Arriving back at the hotel, we were thrilled to discover that we were living amongst Best Western royalty. Seems that Best Western realized that Diane & Greg were some of the company's best customers, "DIAMOND AWARDEES" it would seem. In any case, they received for their faithfulness a bottle of wine, two glasses and snacks. Seems that Greg needs to update his profile as the wine was red, as opposed to the favored Cupcake SV.
So ended the evening, suspect it will be much quieter at the Best Western Victorian than last night.
"When out on the walk (and in the rooms above) there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter."
The excerpt from Moore's famous Christmas poem somewhat defines the past night and early morning at the Petaluma Best Western.
- Six to eight "lower life forms", returning from the local casino after many drinks, talking loudly just next door to Diane and Greg.
- The four (in each room) burley men sleeping in the rooms above our rooms, all harmoniously snoring loudly.
- The midnight call to Diane & Greg from the front desk suggesting that they hold the noise down. (Call was redirected to the "lower life forms")
- The road construction starting at 6 AM about 50 yards from our rooms.
In summary, even Diane's noise generator couldn't overcome the din (def: a welter of discordant sounds) surrounding us. So, I could say that we awoke around 7 but that would be a slight untruth; actually I'm not sure anyone ever went to sleep last night. Okay, I exaggerate but not by much.
By now, Pat and Jack were winging their way west, leaving Norfolk with a connection in Atlanta. Soon Chris and Denny would be doing the same from Scottsdale. Both were scheduled to arrive in San Francisco around 4 PM local, pick-up a car and drive on in to Monterey.
By now, Pat and Jack were winging their way west, leaving Norfolk with a connection in Atlanta. Soon Chris and Denny would be doing the same from Scottsdale. Both were scheduled to arrive in San Francisco around 4 PM local, pick-up a car and drive on in to Monterey.
By nine we were having breakfast, and again to paraphrase Mr. Moore, "when what to our wondering eyes would appear" but most of the "lower life forms" noted above. Enough already, they were having a good time I'm sure; perhaps we were being a bit grumpy.
Our plan for the day included a visit to Point Reyes National Seashore and to Muir Woods National Monument before our drive over the Golden Gate en-route to Monterey and the rendezvous.
 |
| Point Reyes Lighthouse |
We timed our arrival at Point Reyes for it's opening at ten, little knowing that once in the park we had an additional 30 minute drive to the coast and the lighthouse. In any case we traversed the winding road through farmland, past "Historic Farms A-M" and arrived in the dense fog at the lighthouse. Arriving at the light, we realized that it was still a half mile hike away. Greg and I traipsed up the hill expecting to see the light at the end of the walk, but not so fast, to reach the light after the half mile climb one must descend 308 steps, supposedly the equivalent of a 30-story building. In any case I did descend the 308 steps and reached the actual light. It's hard to imagine a more difficult place to build something such as a lighthouse. One problem with descending 308 steps is the necessity to reverse the process and ascend 308 steps. In any case, I'm glad I made the trek.
By time we had completed the back and forth unplanned mileage and the descent/ascent at the light, we were way behind our planned time line but onward we drove to Muir Woods.
Arriving in the vicinity of Muir Woods we noticed cars parked along the road, a very narrow road I should add, about a half mile before the park. For whatever reason throngs of people both local and tourists had chosen this day to visit the park. That was enough for us, we departed and left Muir Woods for another day.
 |
| Golden Gate Bridge |
We made the trip back down the winding hillside and arrived at the Golden Gate around 2 PM. Fog still shrouded the bridge and masked the city in the distance. After a few near collisions we crossed the bridge arriving at what turned out to be the wrong toll lane; with no collector in sight we assumed it was a photo-toll. I suppose that we'll hear about it later, perhaps with a personal letter from Jerry Brown, "the gov".
Once through San Francisco we settled onto CA-1 headed down the coast. At Rockaway Beach we stopped for a late lunch. The restaurant was Nick's; been there since 1927.
 |
| Pigeon Point Lighthouse |
And once again to paraphrase Clement Moore, "When what to my wondering eyes should appear", another lighthouse, this time at Pigeon Point. This was an easy decision, as we could drive right up but the light station. We took a few more pictures, got our lighthouse stamps and were on our way, no more stops, well maybe. Someday when you're really bored, ask Greg to tell you about the relationship of the Pigeon Point Light to the Hatteras Light.
Continuing down the beach road we traveled by miles of farmland, growing garlic, berries, brussels sprouts and of course artichokes. Along the beach there were dozens of wet-suited swimmers and surfers.
After a stop for gas in Santa Cruz we joined the Friday afternoon traffic jam; seems like we were in it for ten miles or so but finally the roads opened up and around 6 we arrived in Monterey. Other than a minor problem with a one-way street, our arrival in Monterey was uneventful. Check-in was a breeze and within minutes we had found our rooms and the fireplaces were lit.
Around 7 we headed out for dinner, dining at The Loose Noodle Pasta Restaurant. About half way through the meal the Jones/Price contingent arrived and joined us at the "Noodle". The rendezvous had been made. It's fair to say that we all enjoyed our dinners, some wine and the reunion of the AUS/NZ crew.
Arriving back at the hotel, we were thrilled to discover that we were living amongst Best Western royalty. Seems that Best Western realized that Diane & Greg were some of the company's best customers, "DIAMOND AWARDEES" it would seem. In any case, they received for their faithfulness a bottle of wine, two glasses and snacks. Seems that Greg needs to update his profile as the wine was red, as opposed to the favored Cupcake SV.
So ended the evening, suspect it will be much quieter at the Best Western Victorian than last night.
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