The Trip - Day 36

Wednesday, October 8, Day 36 - Monterey, CA.

We met with Sandy and Mark Reese at 5PM in Carmel-by-the-sea, CA (the town where Clint Eastwood was Mayor). Sandy and Mark took us on a tour of Carmel, where we saw beautiful beaches (free to the public), beautiful homes overlooking the Pacific, and a couple of places Clint Eastwood owns (a beautiful Inn overlooking the Pacific, and the Hogs Breath Tavern in the downtown area of Carmel). Next, we drove North to Monterey, where we walked around the city and down to the harbor area. We had dinner at a nice restaurant on the waterfront, called the Old Fisherman's Grotto. The food and wine were excellent, as was the company. Mark and Sandy were such gracious hosts on our visit to the area, that it will be hard to thank them enough for their hospitality (they treated us, against our wishes, to dinner).

Here I am with Mark and Sandy, on the waterfront in Monterey, CA. I think that, of all the places we visited, we wish we could have spent more time here in the Monterey area, and spending more time with Mark and Sandy. We had met Mark once, 2 years ago at the 4th of July party at Dick and Elaine's in NH, but we never really got to know him. I found that Mark and I had much in common. We both joined the Air Force, right out of High School, and both attended college after our 4-year tour of duty. Mark is planning on retiring next year, after 32 years with the U.S. Army (as a civilian) at Fort Ord, California. Sandy also works at Fort Ord, so they get to commute to work together, and they both work in the same building! It was so good to have the time we spent together, getting to know each other, that we began to regret that we were not able to meet sooner, last weekend at Cottonwood, where they own another home, and their daughter, Stephanie, was visiting at the time. Stephanie, we found out, goes to school at Sonoma State College, and she works in Santa Rosa! We spent a weekend there, but it was the same weekend she was in Cottonwood.

I have to say a special "Hello" to Mark and Sandy. Thank you, both, for a wonderful time in Carmel and Monterey. I want you to promise to let us know when you will be visiting New England. We want to reciprocate your kindness, and we will not take "NO" for an answer! In fact, if you do decide to visit Mark's sister in Punta Gorda, you MUST let us know - we will meet you there, if it is before April 15th, or so. Keep in touch!

On Thursday, we travel to the LA area, and CHAD-O!! Stay tuned for the details!

Here's the link to the web album for today:

http://picasaweb.google.com/cbenoitiii/TheTripMontereyDay36?authkey=G5z4o7ejBN0#