Day-25: 17-Mile Drive & Bagpipes at Spanish Bay

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Woke up this morning to another beautiful day in Monterey, a bit cool and foggy but the forecast was favorable.

After another in-house breakfast we piled into two cars and headed for the peninsula’s 17-Mile Drive, a privately owned and tolled ride along the seashore, through expensive neighborhoods and past some of the most famous golf courses in the world, Pebble Beach, Cypress Point, Spyglass Hill and The Links at Spanish Bay. We stopped at a number of overlooks for rocky coastal scenery, golf holes and wildlife of the sea.

The Lone Cypress

Pebble Beach #18

We stopped at Pebble Beach where we made the pilgrimage to the 18^th green and watched a foursome finish the hole. We didn’t see any pars and for sure one or two of the four took a gifted “snowman” and picked up.

Only "Birdie" We Scored

I should note, that in the name of fairness, a few stops were made in the Pebble Beach clothing and gift shops, perhaps some gift under the tree for me this Christmas?

Exiting the drive at the south gate we entered Carmel, known by most as the Clint Eastwood town. After finding parking for our two overly large cars we walked the streets and found Merlot Bistro as the chosen site for lunch. Compliments to the bar for tasty Bloody Marys or so I'm told.

Boar's Head

Following lunch the party split up with four headed to the stores of Carmel and the other four headed to the Hog’s Breath Pub for a drink and Sunday afternoon football, in this case the Titans vs. Forty Niners.

All were back at the car by 3:30 with plans for hanging out at the Inn at Spanish Bay to see the sunset bagpiper. We arrived around 4 so there was time to spare as the piper was not scheduled to perform until 6 PM. By arriving early though we secured fireside seats. The fireplace along with blankets provided by staff made the cool temperatures more tolerable as did the variety of alcohol-aided drinks consumed, e.g. sherry, hot cider (spiked), Irish coffee, hot chocolate, hot tea, etc.

On cue at 6, the piper could be heard in the distance, slowly marching his way toward the 2^nd green and the clubhouse. By now a crowd had gathered to listen to the pipes as the course was officially closed for the day. Should you be interested in the scene, there are several YouTube videos of the piper at Spanish Bay (Search YouTube for “bagpiper at Spanish Bay”).

We returned to the hotel around 7 and proceeded to dinner, yes, more food. We again went to the Loose Pasta Restaurant near the hotel. 

After dinner we returned to the hotel and the day was done.