Monterey and more.....

we made it to Monterey 5/15/09 around 5:00 and straight away went to Fisherman's Wharf, what a wonderful walk down the pier we had and the samples of all the Clam Chowders were amazing, some were good and others were.....well, not as good. Then we headed toward the aquarium since it was a few more miles away to find a hotel near so we could go right away in the morning when they opened. Then we found Cannery Row, it wasn't all that was cracked up to be, to me. I'm not a shopper, I enjoy some History and that was the most fascinating part. I saw the world famous Sardine factory, read the history on it blah, blah and blah. Then off to the motel, I was ripped off, highway robbery at it's finest!! Not even a good sleep!
Then it was morning and we headed over to the aquarium after I was trying to be charged for parking at the motel?! I said...."Excuse me I didn't park in the parking garage, but was charged $12 for it anyway?" And didn't even get my reward points for the Best Western stay Anyway.....I'm on vacation and I don't want the aggravation I'm experiencing so we left at 10:00 for the aquarium. On the way we found the IMAX and there were 2 movies the boys wanted to see. The first was Sharks 3D and then it was SeaMonsters which was about the pre-historic sea creatures that were much much bigger than any we know of today. Finally at 12:00 we walk across the street to the aquarium, our destination! IT WAS WONDERFUL!!! The SeaHorse exhibit was by far Jake's and my favorite, but Josh of course being Josh :) liked the deep blue huge aquarium where the sharks were. Then we headed North around 5:00 to see how far we could get, but San Francisco was my goal and I passed it up! We did cross the Golden Gate and had never done that before, but ended up sleeping in a rest area just before Leggett so we could drive through the notorious tree. We didn't do that either LOL But we did make it to Founders Tree and that was a nice hike and very neat to see!! Amazing beauties. By 1:00 we were in Eureka and I was shocked to see the price of gas there, it was 2.87 after all the way up I never paid more than 2.37 for it! I found a great deal on a BBQ grill with burners on it at a sporting good place, so that made up for it. LOL Then off to our FOTR friends to visit for a couple days, The Saseks, Carolyn, Rich & Ian (10) they are currently in Manila, CA between Samoa & Arcata right next to the beach. They are staying in their friends driveway while he's attending Humboldt State University to receive his degree in Marine Biology. The family they are living near are the most awesome people, Smiles & Space, their given names. They have 3 boys also homeschooled ages 6, 8 & 10. What a fabulous, warm, inspirational, & life altering visit it was for all of us. LOVE YOU GUYS!! See you on the road, or in OH. Well.....the boys are wanting to head to the lighthouse so I will continue more later. We are just North of Bandon, OR in a beautiful state park camping with a nice camp fire going and trying to catch up on here but more will be revealed! :)