Maxima

We checked out of our hotel and went directly to Starbucks.  We sat outside on the patio in the beautiful sunshine.  It was already noon when we came across the bay bridge.  This is a smaller bridge that connects San Francisco and Oakland.  It is just south of the Golden Gate Bridge.  There is a toll of $3 to enter San Francisco but no fee to exit on the same bridge.  We drive through SF along the bay and get almost all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge when we see a lovely spot for our lunch.  We take monkey along and give him a little lecture on where bad monkeys go when they don’t listen. (see Alcatraz in the background)

Monkey wanted to rent one of these gocarts but at $40 an hour, he will have to do a little more around the house first.  We did allow him to sit in one and feel like a big boy.  You can’t see it but he is smiling very big

 The same toll policy applies to the Golden Gate Bridge.  $5 to enter SF but nothing to leave on the same bridge.  Going across the Golden Gate Bridge (GGB)only takes a few minutes since it is just 1.7 miles across.  There is also a fenced in pedestrian/bike path to walk/bike across the GGB.  You cannot do that on the bay bridge.  But the GGB is so enormous.  Huge Huge Huge.  We stop at the usual viewing spot and monkey meets “flat Stanley” from Philladelphia.  Try saying that twice…flat Stanley from Philadelphia, flat Stanley from Philidelphia(FSFP)…….ehhehehehehe.  FSFP is getting his picture taken at the GGB also.  A doubledecker tour bus pulled in.  The stop is timed and some of them have to pick…toilet or pictures of the bridge.  Beep beep , time to go. 

I had talked to a local guy who recommended we go up a little known road on the other side of the hiway from the normal viewing spot.  OMG was he right.  Just a few cars were there and we had fun taking some pictures.  A guy took this picture of us and it is so perfectly spaced that it looks fake.  But no, it IS real.  We sat for a long time on a bench overlooking the bridge, the bay and SF in the background.  Sitting there I was so overwelmingly grateful for everything I have.  Good friends, the love of a good man, my health, our children and grandchildren.  I gave thanks and said an extra prayer for the restoration of the health of one daughter and one brother.  It felt good to know they are in God’s hands. Then we headed out of San Francisco to end our first trip here.  We were in rush hour traffic at 3pm in the afternoon.  The only good thing is I advanced 8 numbers to 043 from the thousands of cars we traveled with.  wooohooo

We went back to the Days Inn in Salinas because it has great internet connection and a great shower.  They gave us 10% off as return customers.  That’s nice.  Is there such a thing as California nice?  We took the key and opened the door to our room and there were two people in bed!  I am not sure who was more surprised, them or us.  I was going to ask them if they called for a taxi but decided to just say SORRY! and shut the door.  No, I don’t have a picture but she had on a lovely pink sliky thing.  You are just going to have to take my word for it   We got upgraded for free to a king bed….I wonder what he did for the other surprised couple???

Tomorrow we go to all the nice beaches along Big Sur and Monterey, Carmel, Pebbel Beach……..  We are taking two days along the beach,

Here’s a picture of blips as he films the GGB from the other side yesterday.  That was when were not too close.  I was standing just to the right of him (DUH) when I took the pic I put on yesterday. 

Having a blast, feeling blessed and now on to where Clint EAstwood is(was?) mayor of Carmel, CA.