Headed into San Francisco I got a proper California welcome by being stuck in bumper to bumper traffic. Made it in eventually, across the famous Golden Gate bridge (I got several views of the Bay Bridge also, and by all accounts it seems to be a more impressive structure. Shame it's such a boring not-worth-being-famous gray color), even got the chance to travel down the traditional SF street, meaning one that's steep and flattens out for cross streets. I was really only doing maybe 25, but I might have been imagining I was involved in a classic high speed chase, the kind that takes place in every show or move set in SF. Then it was a briefs stop in Firsherman's Wharf, a photo of Alcatraz Island (I was there last time I was here... in 1991). I wanted to do the cable car thing, but turned right instead of left when looking for them, then didn't have the time. Next time San Francisco, next time.
17 Miles
Then if was off to Monterrey (where I assume the Cheese was invented) to take in scenic 17-Mile Drive. *BING BING BING* (More on that later.) The drive twists and turns through the , past gold courses and very nice homes. With about 20 marked stops along the way, for particular views of this or that. Monterrey peninsula. SIghts such as Bird Rock (which was actualy covered by barking sea lions), the Lone Cypress and the Ghost Tree.
Where's My Bunny Suit?
17 Mile Drive also goes passes by the famous Pebble Beach gold course, which I used to rule on Tiger Woods. *BING BING BING* Unfortunately I didn't pack my bunny suit (those that have played the game know what I mean) so didn't play a round. I also don't play real golf (though I intend to start someday) and didn't have the $500 to spend I heard a round costs. Well, I have $500 but I wouldn't spend it on that.
BING BING BING
While driving south out of San Francisco I started hearing a *BING BING BING* noise. Didn't notice it at first, thought it was part of a song on the radio. Then realized the battery warning light was on. Crap. I unplugged everything I had plugged in. Kept going off. I'd psyched myself up for the Big Sur drive even though the guidebook described it as "narrow and twisty, and sometimes full of slow moving RVs." I did NOT enjoy that kind of drive on Day 6, but figured I'd survived that. But what with the possible car trouble I bypassed Big Sur. I didn't want to get stuck out there, where cell phone service was reportedly spotty at best. So back into the 101, where I discovered...
WHERE SALAD COMES FROM
Being from Iowa I'm used to driving by farm fields. But back home, they're either corn, more corn, even more corn or once and awhile soybeans. Here I was driving by what appears to be fields of onions, lettuce and based on the smell at one point, broccoli. (And luckily the *BING BING BING* stopped. Did the car heal itself? Will it start up again on Day 8? Time will tell..)
Sunset at Pismo Beach
Got into Pismo Beach just in time to stop and watch the sunset. I wish I'd had my Jeep - they let you drive right onto the beach here. That would've been cool, but I didn't trust the Mustang on the sand. The only cars out there were of the truck and SUV variety. After sunset I pushed through to Santa Barbara so I'd have a shorter jaunt into LA in the morning.
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