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.