Monterey and Carmel…
We left the rig about 9 am and headed south to Monterey and Carmel, about 160 miles away.
About 40 minutes later we were crossing the Golden Gate Bridge and heading into San Francisco itself. We stayed on SR 1 thru town and on out the south side and along the ocean.
Around Half Moon Bay we pulled over to get some shots of the rocky, but beautiful Pacific coast.
There’s all sorts of vegetation clinging to the cliff sides.
A little further down the road we stopped off at the Pigeon Point Lighthouse to take a look. There’s also a hostel here. 
A little while later Nick Russell called with a computer question so I pulled over a handy turnout so I could talk safely. Jan immediately notice a vendor selling fresh cherries at the other end, so she grabbed my wallet and took off.
And they were delicious. I think this was the first time I’ve ever eaten fresh cherries. Except for maraschino cherries, I’ve never been a big fan, but these are really something. Later on we passed some cherry tree orchards along the coast.
About 30 minutes later we came into Moss Landing where we planned to have lunch. Somewhere along the line, I made a note of Phil’s Fish Market as a good place to eat, so we were going to give it a try.
When we found it I knew immediately that it was going to be good. There were absolutely no signs on the highway advertising the place. It was way off the beaten path. You had to know where it was to get there. And when we got there, it was very difficult to find a parking place.
Phil’s is located in working waterfront area, with docks, boat yards, and warehouses, and people were parked along the side of the road, in little nooks and crannies, and in the parking lots of closed on the weekend businesses.
And the food was great. You order at the counter and then try to find a open table. Although there was a long line, it moved quickly and it wasn’t long after we sat down that a waitress showed up with our food.
Jan had the Fried Shrimp and Oysters and I had the Fried Fish and Shrimp, and they were both great. Well worth the stop.
Leaving the restaurant and walking back to the truck, we passed a somewhat rundown house with a fantastic flower bed, with a little bit of everything.
Leaving Moss Landing we headed about 20 miles further south to Monterey and took a drive around the Bay. Everywhere we looked we had a great view!
This seal didn’t look too happy to have his picture taken.
Following the coast around the point we passed thru Carmel. Actually it’s really Carmel-By-The-Sea, but everyone abbreviates it. The coastal drive was maybe even more beautiful than Monterey Bay.
After Carmel we turned north and headed back home, taking the more direct Interstate route. One of the towns we passed thru was Morgan Hill, recently in the news because the Assistant Principal sent home a number of students for wearing red, white, and blue clothing on Cinco de Mayo. After it all blew up in their faces, the school quickly backed down and apologized.
Coming back into the fairgrounds where we are staying, we found a field full of large geese grazing in the grass.
Where we’re staying is really kind of primitive. It’s just a scraggy open field with about 6 hookups. We’re the only ones here except for the caretaker.
It really doesn’t compare with where we were at Park of the Sierras. But it is quiet and the power is good. 
Tomorrow is going to be a stay-at-home Mother’s Day.
More then…
