August 18, 2010 - HOME!!!

God bless Jay!!  He drove from Albuquerque with nary a stop for food.  Fortunately, I grabbed  some food before we left the hotel, and when we stopped for gas, we picked up road food.  Probably not good for us, but we got home in 9 hours.

Here are a couple of shots of the Hoover Dam Bypass that I promised yesterday.

 

I'm sorry I go on so much about the Bypass, but to me, it's just spectacular and MUST be seen coming in from the Nevada side to get the full impact.  Just took my breath away.

And here are a few shots from the Painted Desert side of the Petrified Forest National Park.

We really liked the Painted Desert even though I hiked off on a path while Jay stayed with the car.  I would definitely like to return to do more of the hiking paths.  Ditto for The Grand Canyon.

So, here were are in our home and with all our STUFF.  Jay's already planning our next trip.  I think it's going to be Carlsbad Caverns some time in the spring.  Then Vicki and I will head out to The Grand Canyon and points in between!

August 17, 2010

We left Henderson and drove across the Hoover Dam.  Of course, I took photos but the internet connection here at the hotel in ABQ is slow, slow, slow.  I'll upload all the photos when we get back to Dallas. 

The Hoover Bypass is amazing.  When you drive in from the Nevada side and come around a particular turn THERE IT IS in all its glory.  Just spectacular.

After the Hoover Dam experience, it was full steam ahead, pushing toward home.  We did, however, stop at the Petrified Forest National Park and yes, I got to use my America The Beautiful pass.  We'd already seen the Petrified Forest side a few years ago, but had not been on the Painted Desert side.  I went down to a "vista point" and took a few shots.  Then I kept walking on the trail and Jay thought I'd fallen down the side of the mountain.  I kept walking and after nearly two miles left the trail and hustled back to the road.  It was great.  Jay chastised me for walking so far as I'd spoken to my doctor today and she said to keep of my foot.  Oh, well.  She'll pass judgment on my foot and head on Friday morning!

We were going to stop in Gallup for the night - then Grants.  We finally stopped in Albuquerque.  I had a wonderful braised lamb shank for dinner and am now all ready for bed - in bed, actually.

We'll both be happy to be home and in our own bed with all our STUFF, and I'm going to be glad to have my very own doctor look at my head and foot.  If she says I'm okay, then so be it!

Ciao for now.

PS: photos by noon on Thursday.

August 16, 2010 - Lake Tahoe

Today was our day to go over from Carson City to Lake Tahoe.  It's less than 20 minutes away and when I saw my first glimpse of the lake - WOW!!

I knew it was beautiful but it smelled good too.  Here are a few shots I took from various places on or around the lake.

 Tahoe is an absolutely beautiful area.  I should have taken photos of the homes high up on the hills but was just spellbound by the lake itself.

We didn't stay over in Tahoe for very long - we got there too early for much to be open and really wanted to get on the road.  So we headed back to Carson City and then pointed the car southeast.  And what a boring road it was!  Boring, beautiful, desolate - but boy could I ever drive fast!  We're in Henderson NV for the night and are going to check out the Hoover Dam Bypass in the morning.  It's not open for use yet, but you can see it from the Dam.  We saw it two years ago and I became fascinated with it and have been following it's construction ever since.  It is anticipated to open in November.

I just had my milk and cookie and am about ready to turn in.  Driving is tiring!

August 15, 2010 - Happy Birthday, Jim!

Good Morning, World.  Our last day at The Tickle Pink.  Pick a house - any house:

Jay is looking a bit wistful - are you sure we have to leave?

After bidding a fond farewell to our Austin and LA buddies who were off to the Concours d Elegance at Pebble Beach, we grabbed a quick breakfast and loaded up the car.  Sad though we are, leave we must.  We're going to Lake Tahoe via Yosemite, after all.  The trip should be beautiful.

I don't think I mentioned that upon entry to the Grand Canyon, I purchased an America The Beautiful pass which, for persons 62 years of age and over, is $10 to ANY national park in the country for the rest of my life.  The joke was on me.  As we entered Yosemite at El Portal, we were told that today is the birthday of the national parks and entrance is free.  Dang! I was so proud of my American the Beautiful pass that I showed it to the Park Ranger anyway.

Upon the suggestion of my beloved offspring, we took Tiaga Pass Road.  Very sad as there have been fires and there are many burned out areas.

Our very first stop:

Pretty nice but absolutely nothing compared to what we were in store for.  We didn't see Half Dome or El Capitan as you can only see them from the Valley, but here are a few freaking gorgeous domes and views:

I just couldn't believe the views.  One spectacular view after another.  At one point, we were over 9400 feet altitude:

If you look closely, you can see the altitude.  Betty, our navigation director, has been all right this trip.  However, going over Tioga Pass Road, the freaking POS car made a DANGER DANGER gong.  We were afraid to turn off the engine for fear we'd be stuck out there with no cell phone access, so we didn't do any hikes.  However, Jay stopped and let me take photos whenever I asked.

You can actually see the daytime moon a little left of center if you look hard enough.

The white spots up there is snow.

We left Yosemite and ran smack dab into Mono Lake.

A totally spendiferous area but a destination NOT a drive through.  I'd love to stay here for a time and do some of the hikes and walks.

So instead of going to Lake Tahoe, since we were SHOT, we stopped in Carson City.  Not much of a city, especially for a state capitol.  The lady at our hotel recommended a restaurant - Glen Eagles - and since we'd not eaten since The Tickle Pink, we were quite ravenous.  The cocktails were very well made and Jay said his gimlet was the best of the trip.  We just had filet mignon but done perfectly and the veggies were fresh and crisp and wonderful.

We're both pretty ragged after today's drive.  Jay amazes me - I'd be a crab with that many hours of driving as well as the fear that the car was going to die.  On a good note, after we checked into the hotel and left for dinner the DANGER message was gone and all seemed normal.  It might have been the altitude but in any case, since this is the second time on a return trip from California that we got the DANGER message [and BMW said there was nothing wrong], when Jay's lease is up in March there will NOT be another BMW in our future.

So it's off to bed and no alarm will be set for rising tomorrow. There's an In n Out and a Carl's Jr.'s in town so lunch is a given - a burger!

Nitey nite!

August 14, 2010

Today is Race Day for us.  So off we go to Laguna Seca Raceway - or as they call it now Mazda Raceway.  It will always be Laguna Seca to us and all the folks who have been coming here for years.

So, we arrive around 8:30 am and Jay has a VIP parking pass which is the BEST parking spot he's ever procured.  Let me tell you it was COLD out there - sorry Kendall, but it really was.  I tried to get a shot of Jay with vapor coming out of his mouth but the vapor didn't show.

The vapor didn't show but let me tell you it was there and it was cold, cold, cold.  We'd schlepped our chairs and had a terrific view of a few turns on the course.  I had a blanket that my Mom knitted for me in the car and thought about getting it, but didn't.

Here they come - - - and

there they go.  It was LOUD like you wouldn't believe but I think the vibration therapy did my head good.  First day with no headaches so no Aleve.

Of course, we had to partake of track food - we split a tri tip sandwich which was FAB.   We didn't stay until the last race and took a drive along the coast.  Even the seagulls thought it was cold today:

We got back to The Tickle Pink and packed for an early departure tomorrow morning.  We went down to the wine party but not too many folks were there.  However, we met some TERRIFIC folks from NJ and NC and hope to see them again next year.  That's one of the wonderful things about The Tickle Pink - there are so many terrific folks that we've met here.

At the track, I took a photo of a FAB Bugatti but for some reason it was invalid.  Dang - it was gorgeous and the fastest street car in production today - 260 mph.  

Dinner was just the two of us at Sea Harvest for some local sea bass.  I think tomorrow I'm going to be Jonesing for a Carls Jr. as I've had quite a lot of seafood here.

Nite for now.

August 13, 2010

What a day!  After a nice breakfast on the deck, we set out south for Big Sur.  On our way down the driveway [The Tickle Pink is nestled high on a hill and the driveway is narrow and winds around], Jay went around a bend and out jumped a bobcat right in front of the car.  It looked at us and kept on going across the road and into the woods.  First time for a bobcat sighting.  We've seen plenty of deer and raccoons and other critters but this was a first.

The marine layer was IN so the colors of the sea on the drive down were not vibrant but the sea was there pounding on the rocks and that's a wonderful sight.  We got to our favorite "local art" shop but there were only two painted wine glasses and I already have a similar one.  No need to spend money so we headed back north.  I like the ride north much more as my stomach stays were it's intended to stay.  Steep cliffs on the other side.

Along the way, we found the happiest herd of cows.

  I wouldn't mind being a California cow - and if I keep eating the way I've been eating, I'll fit in with the herd.  A lot of the time, they're closer to PCH1 but today they were playing coy.  I just love watching them watch us, but not today.


Another one of my favorite places along PCH1 is Point Sur Lighthouse.

The lighthouse is on the other side of that huge mound.  Tours are given several days a week and a few evenings a month.  A few years ago we took a three hour morning tour and it was terrific - cold and windy but terrific.  The tour is not for sissies as you walk from a parking area near the road and hike to the top.  The evening tours are "haunted" and sound fun.



We stopped at Lattitudes for a cup of corn crab chowder to hold us until dinner.  Then on to Monterey and the RM Auction.  The auction doesn't start until 6 pm but you can go into the holding area to look at the cars.  In all the years we've gone to RM, it's been great.  $40 per person will get you into all the areas and into the auditorium where the auction is actually held.  That's the exciting part.

We usually go down the pier to Domenico's for terrific seafood dinner and tonight was no different.  I had a fabulous shrimp and artichoke pasta dish and Jay had seafood alfredo, his usual.  No room  for dessert and besides, there's an ice cream shop near the Portola Hotel where the auction is held.

So back we go to the RM Auction.  The problem arose here: no entry to any areas other than the holding area with a large video of the activities indoors. The holding area is outside and is cold and has very little seating.  The lack of seating wasn't really a problem because once folks realized only bidders were permitted in the auditorium, folks left - as did we.  It's too bad as there was an Italia not unlike Jay's which was expected to bring $110,000.  We would like to have seen it GET that much because that would make Jay's car more likely to bring a similar amount.

So, sadly we left the hoo ha of RM since it just wasn't as fun as it's always been.  We got our ice cream cones, turned the heater on in the car AND the seat warmers, and head back to our hotel.

Laguna Seca Raceway tomorrow.

Nite Nite.

August 12, 2010

The crowds have arrived!  Traffic is horrible - but the weather is very cool. 

On the Thursday before the Concours de Elegance at Pebble Beach, Carmel hosts a road rally for the entrants which gives them additional points in the scoring if they participate.  They drive up over Laurales Grade, then down along PCH1.  People are parked everywhere to get a look at these works of art.  Before returning to Pebble Beach, they enter Ocean Avenue in Carmel where the streets have been blocked off.  The drivers are honored at a luncheon in the park while the cars are parked for our viewing pleasure.  I tried to get photos of some really special vehicles but all I saw were the behinds of folks who were pushing to get closer.

The streets were just packed with folks wanting to see the cars - or, in many cases, be seen.  And the dogs!  Why do people bring their dogs to these types of events?  I can't imagine the dogs have any interest in the cars, other than to perhaps pee on a tire or two.



We then had to make our obligatory trip over to Cannery Row for Jay's fudge and my caramel apple.  My second favorite sock store is there but I didn't even go in.  I'll be at my favorite sock store in Providence, RI in October.

After a little rest back at The Tickle Pink, we met our friends for wine on the deck.  I had a lovely sparkling apple cranberry cider.  I'm really getting into the non-alcoholic beverages!

We had dinner reservations at Tarpey's Roadhouse.  A 15 minute trip turned into over an hour due to traffic. After a yummy dinner - just steaks, but delightfully sauced and perfect - we met Bob and Jan at the Highlands Inn for dessert.

Traffic on Friday is going to be worse as Concorso Italiano is going on, as well as The Quail Motorsport Gathering, not to mention the four or five automobile auctions that are going on.  We been to both in the past but are attending neither this year.  We will, however, get our auction fix at RM Auction over the weekend.  Our plan for Friday is to drive down to Big Sur and check to see if there are any painted glasses I can't live without.  I broke my favorite one on Easter and would like to replace it.

Sleep calls!

August 11, 2010

Just a quiet day on the Monterey Peninsula today.  The weather was lovely; the marine layer would come in and then go back out.  It was wonderful.

There's a little place just off the beach at Lover's Point in Pacific Grove called The Grill.  The guy who owns it is independent so the place isn't open all the time.  When it is, he flies the OPEN flag.  This is not a posh place and your dining companions will more than likely be seagulls and scavenging birds praying you'll drop a french fry or two.  The fries are not to be dropped - they're too good.  The hot dogs are gigantic, split and grilled to perfection and placed on a poppy seed roll.  Pretty doggone good!

I bought a lovely blue and white ice bag so we spent some time back in the room trying to get the swelling down - to no avail.

The Tickle Pink has a complimentary wine party every day and while I'm drinking sparkling cider these days, we still like to visit with the other guests.  After two glasses of the sparkling cider, we left to have dinner at Tarpy's Roadhouse.  However, there was no room.  In years past, they didn't take reservations so we've never made one.  Well, they started so we'll try another night.  We were able to get into Rio Grill for some yummy mustard and soy skirt steak with sweet potatoes gratin.  Tasty, to say the least.

No photos today but hopefully, the head will be better tomorrow and I'll take some and post them.

August 10, 2010 Addendum

As I said in my blog yesterday, Matthew, the balloon making young man, plopped this car hat on my head to lessen the impact of my injury.  Quite stylish!

August 10, 2010

Today, we drove from Bakersfield to Carmel.  Jay's car has the navigation system - we named her Betty.  On other trips, she's been rather forceful but this trip, she was grand.  We gave her full head to lead us to Carmel and she did a terrific job.  She took us up the San Joaquin Valley where we saw the California Aquaduct from time to time, and the magnificent San Luis Reservoir.  I kid you not - amazing for what is was/is and for where it is.

We stopped in Seaside so that Jay could attend Automobilia, which is a two-day show of old crap, I mean collectibles, that old men think they need, so they spend too much money on crap, I mean collectibles, to bring him to put with their other treasures.  I waited in the lobby with an old Oprah magazine as I ventured into the site one time years ago and that was enough.  While I was sitting at my table in the lobby, a young balloon making man trying to earn money to attend UCLA ventured to my table and told me he could lessen the impact of my face injury.  He plopped a balloon car on my head and his mother took our photo.  Hopefully, I'll be able to upload that photo but I've not been successful for the last half hour.

Once we checked into The Tickle Pink, we met up with our Austin friends, Bob and Jan, at the Wine Tasting on the deck.  We four had dinner at Mission Ranch to celebrate Jay's birthday.  It was beautiful - the temperature was in the LOW 60s, the marine layer was at its best and the smell of wood burning in fireplaces was abundant.  No photos were taken but know that we had a terrific time.

Ciao - more domani!

August 9, 2010 - The Grand Canyon

We woke up around 4 a.m. eager to drive up to the Grand Canyon.  After our breakfast, we drove along a lonely highway for about an hour and there it was.

Jay had seen it before when he was six or seven.  I had never seen it.  It's just as awe-inspiring as I'd heard it was.  Of course, I'm not The Fan of High Places so I was initially apprehensive.  However, it just took about two minutes for me to get my "feet" and I enjoyed our trail walks.

The first was Mather Point.  Since it was so early, the colors weren't as vibrant as I anticipated, but as time passed, the colors, too, woke up and showed their stuff!

We met a family from Austin.  I took their photo; they took ours.

Thankfully, the hat helps hide my face.

We drove over to El Tovar where Jay spent a few days with his family as a child.  Oh, how I'd love to come back and spend a few days and just walk all the trails.  It was just beautiful.  Of course, if - I say 'when' - we do return for a few days' stay at El Tovar, I'll be out walking, while Jay's on the porch rocking.

We didn't spend nearly enough time at The Grand Canyon, but we're on a schedule and need to be in Carmel Tuesday afternoon.

The drive got pretty grim once we entered California.  Desolation as far as the eye could see, until we got to Tehachapi which is rife with Joshua Trees on one side of the highway and wind farms on the other.

We're in Bakersfield for the night and I hope we can sleep beyond 4 a.m. tomorrow. 

The Face is doing exactly what the doctor predicted - both eyes are black and the bruising is traveling down the right side of my face.  There's just not enough makeup to cover any of it.  Ah, well!  No broken bones!

More soon.

August 8, 2010

The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray.  That they did, my friends - that they did.  We had a lovely dinner Friday evening with friends and since we planned to leave around 6 a.m. on Saturday, we were in bed ad a very reasonable hour.  At 2 a.m., I woke up and on my way to the facility, tripped over an open suitcase and landed on my head with quite a thud.  Plano Medical Center Emergency Room was the first stop even before we loaded the car.  Right foot was big and ugly but the forehead was horrible - HUGE.  So, they Xrayed the foot and CT scanned the head.  The adorable doctor, just a tad older than Doogie Howser, deemed me ready for travel with no broken bones and no skull damage.  He warned me that I would be colorful, however, and of course, lots of ice.

We went home, cleaned up, loaded the car and left Dallas at 9:30 a.m.  We only made it to Tucumcari because my head was throbbing and Jay was exhausted.  We both slept well but we had a surprise when I got up.  While the bruising had started showing on Saturday afternoon on my right eye, this morning it was on my left eye as well.  Not a pretty sight at all but nice colors.  To make some lemonade, I won't need much eye makeup for a couple of weeks.

We drove through the town and thought it was a little tattered and sleepy since I-40 replaced US 66.  Then, right at the end of town, there was this piece of work that just stood out.  We couldn't figure out why it was just stuck there.

 

We then headed west and after a short stop to see some marvelous rocks,

we made it to Williams, Arizona.  Williams is a 'must see' if you're in the area.  Old Route 66 is not sleepy nor tattered here.  It's bustling and looks as if it's smack dab in the 50s.

Tomorrow, we're heading up to the Grand Canyon.  My First Time!  Hopefully, there will be another post tomorrow evening with spectacular photos.