Monterey and Co.

Last weekend we took a trip to Monterey! No, we did not go to the aquarium. That's everyone's first question, so I'll just quench all notions of curiosity up front. My opinion is: I've already been to an aquarium in my life. I assume they're all pretty much the same, so unless a new underwater animal has been discovered, I'm pretty content with the aquarium experience I already have under my belt.

The plan was to leave first thing in the morning and spend the day down south. We'd heard nothing but good things about the area and wanted to spend as much time there as possible. Then Friday hit... a day which I'm sure I will be able to look back on with fondness someday, but that day is not today. It was one of the worst days of my internship yet. Details available upon request. I don't feel like reliving them right now. Anyway, the point is that by lunch time on Friday I realized I was going to have to work on Saturday in order to get all of the work done in time for my Sunday morning deadline. I quickly got in touch with my friends (those I was supposed to be traveling with the following day) and told them of my plight. Mark's first reaction was that I could do both- stay later on Friday, work Saturday morning, and we'd only have to postpone the trip a couple of hours. Great. I offered to go in at 8:00 so we could leave by noon. He said, "How much would I have to pay to you go in earlier?" Well, long story short, I ended up going to work at 6:30 on Saturday, getting up earlier than I do on most weekdays! I'll admit it was worth it... worth it for sure. I was able to finish my work in only a few short hours and we were off to Monterey before 11:00. (Mark didn't end up paying me anything, by the way... although he did bring me breakfast... I guess that counts.)

Now, unfortunately, I'll have to resort to picture blogging, since I'm short of time and there's much to catch up on. I'm ages behind in blogging, for which I send my sincerest apologies.

Monterey

Lunch by the beach (full of sail boats, sea lions, and sea otters), walking through the once annual Turkish Festival in the square complete with belly dancing and baklava. I held a bird on my arm too- I just couldn't resist. It looked too awesome to pass up. Oh, and also, I finally got salt water taffy! I've wanted it since my first trip to San Francisco. It just seems like such a "by the bay" thing to do... especially when they make it fresh right there in the candy store!

Pebble Beach

Of course we couldn't pass up the opportunity to stop by Pebble Beach and drive the Seventeen Mile drive while we were in the area. What a beautiful golf course! No, we didn't play. Green fees: $495. $650 with a caddy. We asked. Someday perhaps, but today was not that day. The picture is of us in front of the 18th green.

{Ben, Lauren, Dave, Mark}

Big Sur & Carmel

Lastly, we drove 30 more miles south to Big Sur by way of Carmel. Big Sur is a state park (I think) where we hiked out to a waterfall. It is absolutely beautiful there. It's so amazing to witness the beauty of the outdoors here- it's just so different than at home. Mountains vs. beach. Although the beach is starting to grow on me, I can say with confidence it will mostly definitely never surpass the majesty of the mountains.

{I'll post the pictures when I get them- they're on someone else's camera.}

The day ended with frisbee on the beach, dinner at Denny's, and a trip to the grocery store.