Vic took us on the 17 mile Drive. It was one amazing thing after another. Views, mega mansions (with views), beaches. Wow. Felt like my jaw was permanently dropped.
We walked out on Fisherman’s Wharf and saw (and heard) sea lions at play. Then we had dinner at Abalonetti’s. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl and fried calamari, best I’ve ever had. Zoe napped on the chair next to me and was perfectly behaved. Delicious meal.
We are staying at the Laguna Seca racetrack in Monterey. What a crazy campground, on a steep hill, windy twisty road (at least it’s paved!) and the spaces are cut outs in the hillside. Our site overlooks the racetrack. There won’t be a race while we are here but there are plenty of cars doing practice laps. Also it’s cloudy so good thing we got a plug in space.
We drove around the area this afternoon. Vic spent 3 years at the Language Institute studying Russian. Time out for a brag. Vic graduated first among everybody, all languages. He won the Commandant’s Award. That honor shaped the rest of his career, it was a huge deal.
We walked on the beach, what a gorgeous area.
Red moon, iPhone photo so not the greatest. I hope some of you reading this got out to see it.
Staying overnight in the parking lot of a golf course, part of a fancy gated community. We’ll get KFC for dinner.
On the way here from 29 Palms we saw the Joshua trees.
The scenery otherwise was brown and drab.
Here at the golf course there are some ponds. This one had a mama duck and 2 babies.
Marine Corp base in the desert. It’s a city unto itself in San Bernardino County. Elev about 2,000 feet. We planned to boondock in Quartsite AZ but did not like the rough unpaved twisty turny narrow road the GOS was telling us to take. Uh uh! There were several rv parks along the side of the road but we decided to push on through and come here. We’ve been to the commissary twice. Today we got sushi for lunch. We went into town and found a couple of souvenirs and talked about driving around in Joshua Tree National Park but it’s like a million degrees and even dry heat is super hot. Tomorrow we will go to Bakersfield CA.
Gas prices are desperate. Its $1.00 cheaper gas on base @ $5.50 gallon. (Diesel).
Staying in the parking lot of an Elks Lodge a bargain at $30 a night when you look around at hotel prices. We thought we’d get take out our first night and looked at a few options. The prices were a little much ($30 + a plate), then we found Tara Thai and got a scrumptious Thai meal for much less.
Second day we visited Sedona Wetlands, a water reclamation area. Didn’t see many birds but the desert flowers were beautiful. After that we drive through Red Rock State Park. Dogs weren’t permitted so we had to hide her. The park was a disappointment bird-wise. Beautiful rock formations. The rocks (and the dirt here) is a deep red with a hint of brown. Zoe managed to turn the white of her feet and body into a shade of red dirt. Bath time!
The scenery is out of this world, unlike anything either of have seen anywhere. Stunning Red rock formations surrounding the town. Everywhere you look there are these formations that time and wind have shaped.
You won’t believe how we got these landscape shots. While driving to pick up dinner (yep, Thai again) we took turns taking pictures out the window! There weren’t any good places to pull over so we said oh well let’s try and maybe we’ll get lucky. We used a landscape lens instead of our usual long lens.
All that red rock makes for a lot red dirt. Our little Zoe got filthy and had to have a bath.
Our camper with solar on top.
Window rock AZ
The Navajo code talkers played an important part in WWII. The museum had some artifacts, photos of Navajos in uniform, and native art.
They take covid 19 very seriously. Upon entry you must get your temp checked and wear a mask. Everyone we saw was wearing a mask (even outside).
We went to Basha the local grocery store. We were the only white people, everyone was Native American and every single person wore a mask. Then we went to Church’s chicken, a drive through, and Vic had to wear a mask at the pick up window. We saw people on the street wearing them. It was like an edict you must wear a mask unless you are inside your residence.
I didn’t do them justice with my iPhone camera, the rock formations are gorgeous.
This is a yellow headed blackbird, taken at the Valle de Oro Wildlife Refuge near Albuquerque. I also got this barn swallow. There were hundreds of nests in the rafters, with birds flying in and out.
We are staying on this military base in Albuquerque NM. It’s very nice having the Exchange and Commissary and the campground is pretty nice too. It’s got a beautiful dog park and even a laundry. We went out this morning to places nearby that should have eagles and hawks. Didn’t find those. Saw some other cool stuff but Vic hasn’t finished editing yet.
We’ll be going to Gallup NM on Tuesday. There’s a Navajo code talker museum we plan to visit.
I do have one fun photo to share though.
We have been visiting the Wildlife Refuge, driving the “Loops”, walking on some of the trails and seeing some great stuff.
We saw some Avocets, they are so pretty. Also a pheasant and Javalina (wild pigs).
The Visitor Center is next to a trail where bird seed is supplied as well as water so we saw some great stuff there. Also met a couple (Mike & Lucy) that came for a 2 day trip to birdwatch. She was actually the bird person at a zoo for 10 years. She knew the names of everything. He was right there with her in enthusiasm so they were fun to talk to. They pointed out a Western Tanager. Beautiful bird and new to us.
Twice a Road Runner ran across the road right in front of us. Gone in a flash, no photo. ☹️
Audubon Warbler (Vic’s)
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