Hello. Beautiful. Wish you were here.
After vacillating betwixt largish and smallish plans for Labor Day weekend, we decided to do more than just explore for our third Britton family adventure, so we headed down the coast a bit to the Monterey area for a few nights away.
We actually stayed in Salinas, as hotels in Monterey were too expensive for the likes of us.
It was such a nice little family vacation. Devin wasn't overly thrilled when we first told him we were taking a 4-hour drive (that was more than that with traffic), but he survived--again by a lot of Old McDonald.
After checking in to our hotel, and after getting some Frosty's at Wendy's
(Rich was beyond excited to have a Frosty and fries--there is no Wendy's near us so this was a real treat), we started out to explore the beautiful Highway 1 and Big Sur.
Devin was a star, even being in the car seat for most of the day, and only gasped with slight indignation at the breeze coming in off the coast.
We played total tourists and stopped at many overlooks and view points.
Rich's comment about all of this: "There are a lot of rocks we could take pictures of."
We almost died here.
Literally, Rich had to hold me up so I didn't get blown off the cliff!
We finally made it to our destination of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park where we could see the waterfall going directly onto the beach.
Devin says, "Waterfall? Meh. I'm unimpressed."
The trail was short and very pretty.
And in not one family picture is Devin looking at the camera.
Since we'd taken so much time meandering down the coast, we didn't have time before sunset to do another hike like we'd planned, but the area was gorgeous, so I would definitely like to go here again. I mean, we only went to one of the many, many state parks along the way!
So much exploring left undone!
On Sunday we found a local sacrament meeting, and then headed into Monterey to see the world-famous aquarium. Along with the rest of the world. For real. Mass hysteria.
We spent a lot of time in the aquarium because it's so big, but Rich and I were still a little disappointed as one of the main exhibits was closed. Plus with the large amounts of people and a baby stroller, navigation was hindered immensely.
At any rate, we got to see lots of cool things and enjoyed the crowded aquarium nonetheless.
Even in the craziness Devin was able to take a nap,
and when he awoke, he was ready for more family fun involving penguins.
By the time we left I was starving beyond belief. Like I thought I might die.
We grabbed some clam chowder and ate in a little park area near the beach. And when I say ate, I mean we ate way more than two people should ever consume.
We explored Cannery Row and were going to take a bike ride, but we were much too full from eating every bit of food to be found, so we nixed that plan and went to 17-Mile Drive.
Which was really pretty, but not really worth the gate fee. I thought we'd get to see more of Pebble Beach, and was disappointed that you don't really get to see the golf course, but the coast here is still beautiful so it was an alright time.
The husband is really very attractive.
Monday was more exploring at the Point Lobos State Reserve.
We were able to see lots of wonderful things, and the wee one was loving all of it.
I could have stayed here all day. In retrospect we should have allotted more time to Big Sur and Point Lobos. Point Lobos was great because the hiking was really just walking along fairly flat trails, meaning we could walk almost the whole coastal area in a short amount of time.
Devin loved being out of his car seat and was chattering the whole time.
He thoroughly enjoyed the sea lions, and now a new animal lives on Old McDonald's farm.
About the time we packed up to go the fog was rolling in, so it was perfect timing.
We didn't get to do any of the trails through the cypress trees or the wooded areas, so I would like to go back, but walking along the coast just calms you and makes my heart happy, making the trip completely wonderful.
Then, another quick 4-hour drive, and we were home in time to stream the last bit of the Boise State game (thank you for winning!), throw in some laundry, and get mentally prepared for another week.
Britton Family Adventure Three was wonderful!
There have been ups and downs. But many more ups than downs. There have been big trips and little trips. And to be sure, the trip thus far has been great in a BIG way. We've had additions and losses. But the additions have been so many that our arms are full of the wonderful. There have been perfect moments and imperfect moments. And though neither of us are close to being perfect, we are perfectly in love. Sometimes I act like a petulant child. Sometimes he doesn't buy me flowers everyday. Sometimes I get mad about things he has no control over. Sometimes he just lets me fume. But always, ALWAYS. We love each other. To be man and wife. To be building a life. To being a family. To being happy. To being living. To being us, together, for infinity. We love us.
