Monterey, California

We made a quick, very last-minute trip up to Monterey yesterday. Marti (my wonderful sister-in-law) and Shawn (one of my younger brothers) are staying in Marti's family's cottage for a week. It faces a beautiful view of the ocean, and we loved taking walks along the rocky shore.

As we left Fresno it was a steamy 100 and something degrees. By the time we made it up to Monterey the temperature had dropped 40 degrees, and we were ill-prepared for the cooler weather. Shawn had warned us the weather was cooler, but I guess we didn't really take him seriously enough, because we got out of the van in t-shirts and sandals and shivered! We covered up as best we could, and bought a jacket for Madelyn, who was the least Monterey Bay ready.

All the restaurants along the pier offer free samples of their clam chowder, to entice you to dine there. Shawn and Marti had tasted them all, and suggested we go to the place with the "best". We did, and it was good, especially in the sourdough bread bowl.

Here is a pic of our family with Shawn, just as we were leaving to return to Fresno. He and Marti are moving to Michigan the same time as us! They will be just a couple hours away.

Cailin and Hope inside a life-size giant clam at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Good times.