Monday, July 28, 2014
Monday, June 9, 2014
If You Can't Stand The Heat, Get Our Of The Valley
What do you do when the mercury soars to 108 degrees on a hot June day in The Central Valley of California. You get in your car and take a two hour road trip to the coast, that's what you do.
Yesterday was my wife and my first wedding anniversary. For some reason, God chooses to make it incredibly hot on June 8, don't ask me why. Our wedding day last year saw the hottest day of the season at 108, and we had an outdoor wedding. It was hot, and so was my wife who still is. At any rate, I will keep this G-rated and move on but yesterday was the hottest day of the year as well. I don't know what the temperature was, they say it was 105, and that was still hot. Our good friends Doug and Sandra decided that as an anniversary present we would escape the heat and go to Monterey, California on the coast to escape the heat. Thank you very much Doug and Sandra.
We left Merced, California at around 1:00 and the outside temperature according to the car thermometer was about 91. As we drove further, it continued to climb until we reached the summit of Pacheco Pass. At that point, it started to go down and when we merged onto California Hiway One in Castroville, just north of Monterey, the Mercury had dipped to a delightful 71 degrees with a bit of fog above us. Fog wasn't going to bother us and it cleared as we got into Monterey.
Why is it that when you go somewhere on the spur of the moment, the conversation is always the same? "Where do you want to go? What do you want to do?" And the answer back is always, "I don't know, what do you want to do? Where do you want to go?" The funny thing is, you always end up doing the same things each time you go to a familiar place. Such was the case on our trip.
Ah, the crisp cool ocean air filled our lungs as well as the distinct smell of the California Coast and Pacific Ocean Shore. Our first stop was of course the Monterey Fisherman's Wharf. Yes, I know it is a tourist trap and I like avoiding tourist traps. The souvenir shops and restaurants line it and most of the time you only spend about 45 minutes there walking around. OK, so the hook of Fisherman's wharf caught us. There are some good restaurants there and it is fun to walk through the shops. Stay away from the carmel corn at the Carousel Candy Shop. It is to die for. No carmel corn for me this trip. Well....
What do you do next, besides of course play golf somewhere? You guessed it, you drive around the shoreline to Asilomar via Lover's point, of course passing Pacific Grove Golf Course. No stops at the course though, but we did stop at a spot beyond Pt. Pinos where John Denver crashed his airplane and died. We took pictures at the spot overlooking the rocks with the crashing sea below. I like watching the surf crash over the rocks and could stay there for hours, but we had to move on to our next unknown destination, Carmel.
Great, let's go to Carmel. What do you want to do there? I don't know, what do you want to there? I don't know, what do you want to do? I don't know, what do you want to do? Let's drive there and see what happens. OK.
WE are in Carmel, What now. OK, let's just drive around and see what strikes our fancy. Down to Carmel Beach to Carmel Beach off Ocean Avenue and see what happens, now what. Let's just drive around the coastline through the Carmel neighborhood to Carmel River Beach.
Anyone getting hungry? Where do you want to eat? I don't know, where do you want to eat? I don't know, where do you want to eat? How about Phil's Fish Market in Moss Landing. Hey, now there's an idea. I had never been to Phil's before. Wait a minute, I don't know if we can do this, this is something new. We'll try it anyway.
Hey, this place must be pretty good. There is a long line. It smells great, now how do we order. Do they have good chowder. I'm in the mood for some chowder. They have chippino in a breadbowl? Wow! How is their chippino anyway? Let me have a taste, please. Yum, this is to die for.
I can tell that the food is good here. You can just look at the tables of fellow diners and tell. The place is packed and there is all sorts of meal carnage around, the sign of people enjoying a good meal. I didn't have to go very far. I turned around to the table behind us where Bryce and Deb were finishing their meal with friends and family, and you could tell they enjoyed it by the big smiles on their faces. It was good, and we will be back maybe after a round of golf played somewhere in the Monterey area at a later date.
After dinner, the cruel realization set in. It was time to head back to the heat and mundane routine of everyday life in Merced. Oh well, life goes on.
Yesterday was my wife and my first wedding anniversary. For some reason, God chooses to make it incredibly hot on June 8, don't ask me why. Our wedding day last year saw the hottest day of the season at 108, and we had an outdoor wedding. It was hot, and so was my wife who still is. At any rate, I will keep this G-rated and move on but yesterday was the hottest day of the year as well. I don't know what the temperature was, they say it was 105, and that was still hot. Our good friends Doug and Sandra decided that as an anniversary present we would escape the heat and go to Monterey, California on the coast to escape the heat. Thank you very much Doug and Sandra.
We left Merced, California at around 1:00 and the outside temperature according to the car thermometer was about 91. As we drove further, it continued to climb until we reached the summit of Pacheco Pass. At that point, it started to go down and when we merged onto California Hiway One in Castroville, just north of Monterey, the Mercury had dipped to a delightful 71 degrees with a bit of fog above us. Fog wasn't going to bother us and it cleared as we got into Monterey.
Why is it that when you go somewhere on the spur of the moment, the conversation is always the same? "Where do you want to go? What do you want to do?" And the answer back is always, "I don't know, what do you want to do? Where do you want to go?" The funny thing is, you always end up doing the same things each time you go to a familiar place. Such was the case on our trip.
Ah, the crisp cool ocean air filled our lungs as well as the distinct smell of the California Coast and Pacific Ocean Shore. Our first stop was of course the Monterey Fisherman's Wharf. Yes, I know it is a tourist trap and I like avoiding tourist traps. The souvenir shops and restaurants line it and most of the time you only spend about 45 minutes there walking around. OK, so the hook of Fisherman's wharf caught us. There are some good restaurants there and it is fun to walk through the shops. Stay away from the carmel corn at the Carousel Candy Shop. It is to die for. No carmel corn for me this trip. Well....
What do you do next, besides of course play golf somewhere? You guessed it, you drive around the shoreline to Asilomar via Lover's point, of course passing Pacific Grove Golf Course. No stops at the course though, but we did stop at a spot beyond Pt. Pinos where John Denver crashed his airplane and died. We took pictures at the spot overlooking the rocks with the crashing sea below. I like watching the surf crash over the rocks and could stay there for hours, but we had to move on to our next unknown destination, Carmel.
Great, let's go to Carmel. What do you want to do there? I don't know, what do you want to there? I don't know, what do you want to do? I don't know, what do you want to do? Let's drive there and see what happens. OK.
WE are in Carmel, What now. OK, let's just drive around and see what strikes our fancy. Down to Carmel Beach to Carmel Beach off Ocean Avenue and see what happens, now what. Let's just drive around the coastline through the Carmel neighborhood to Carmel River Beach.
Anyone getting hungry? Where do you want to eat? I don't know, where do you want to eat? I don't know, where do you want to eat? How about Phil's Fish Market in Moss Landing. Hey, now there's an idea. I had never been to Phil's before. Wait a minute, I don't know if we can do this, this is something new. We'll try it anyway.
Hey, this place must be pretty good. There is a long line. It smells great, now how do we order. Do they have good chowder. I'm in the mood for some chowder. They have chippino in a breadbowl? Wow! How is their chippino anyway? Let me have a taste, please. Yum, this is to die for.
I can tell that the food is good here. You can just look at the tables of fellow diners and tell. The place is packed and there is all sorts of meal carnage around, the sign of people enjoying a good meal. I didn't have to go very far. I turned around to the table behind us where Bryce and Deb were finishing their meal with friends and family, and you could tell they enjoyed it by the big smiles on their faces. It was good, and we will be back maybe after a round of golf played somewhere in the Monterey area at a later date.
After dinner, the cruel realization set in. It was time to head back to the heat and mundane routine of everyday life in Merced. Oh well, life goes on.
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| Thanks Bryce and Deb. Honestly, I wasn't listening in on your conversations. Seriously, Thanks for allowing me to take your picture. |
Monday, July 22, 2013
Carnival Is Moving
I remember going to San Pedro in Los Angeles to board our first few cruises on Carnival. The facility was sort of dated, but It was a very nice terminal and convenient to get in and out of. However, Carnival wanted to move out of the facility in favor of a possible facility in Long Beach. They got the Long Beach facility, right next to the Queen Mary in the old "Spruce Goose" building. It was a good match.
My son and I were on a Carnival cruise last year and I ran into the hotel manager of the ship and got into a conversation about Carnival, over a couple of scotchs and a cigar. We talked about why Carnival doesn't deal with Elite Golf any more (number of golfers actually playing golf in the ports of call was minimal and the program was not making money) and a couple of other cruise related topics. One was that Carnival was leaving Long Beach in favor of San Pedro. I was sort of shocked.
I don't know what precipitated the move, he wouldn't go into the details. What he did share was that the Port of Los Angeles, i.e. San Pedro, was going to upgrade and remodel the San Pedro facility that Carnival formerly was using. I don't know what advantages this has for Carnival but I am sure that the change will benefit them financially. At any rate, this will effect West Coast passengers in the beginning of 2014. Having cruised from both ports, I really don't know if there is a disadvantage or advantage for passengers. That will remain to be seen.
By the way, I am booking cruises for the coming year through my association with Winsome Travel here in Fresno. I have some great cruises on any of the cruise lines for all destinations, not just the West Coast. Give me a call.
My son and I were on a Carnival cruise last year and I ran into the hotel manager of the ship and got into a conversation about Carnival, over a couple of scotchs and a cigar. We talked about why Carnival doesn't deal with Elite Golf any more (number of golfers actually playing golf in the ports of call was minimal and the program was not making money) and a couple of other cruise related topics. One was that Carnival was leaving Long Beach in favor of San Pedro. I was sort of shocked.
I don't know what precipitated the move, he wouldn't go into the details. What he did share was that the Port of Los Angeles, i.e. San Pedro, was going to upgrade and remodel the San Pedro facility that Carnival formerly was using. I don't know what advantages this has for Carnival but I am sure that the change will benefit them financially. At any rate, this will effect West Coast passengers in the beginning of 2014. Having cruised from both ports, I really don't know if there is a disadvantage or advantage for passengers. That will remain to be seen.
By the way, I am booking cruises for the coming year through my association with Winsome Travel here in Fresno. I have some great cruises on any of the cruise lines for all destinations, not just the West Coast. Give me a call.
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| The Carnival Splendor Docked at Long Beach |
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| Heading home after the cruise from Carnival's Long Beach facility. |
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Home!
Yes, I have traveled a lot. There is one place that is very much in my heart. That is Home. I live in Fresno, California.
I have lived in Fresno most of my life, even though I was born in Los Angeles, California. We moved here when I was two years old in 1957 and have seen this city change in many ways. I can tell many stories about my past here, but I won't. This city has grown from the small agricultural town I grew up in to the World Class City it is now. I used to hate this place, now I have fallen in love with it.
Where do I start? We have some great restaurants and night spots. Some of the best Mexican restaurant are here, such as Cuca's and Castillo's. The Italian cuisine is fantastic as is the high end elegant restaurants such as The Standard. Of course, there is always George's for shish-ke-bab and Middle Eastern cuising. We have it all, including Ethiopian.
How about sports? This is a sports town. This is the home of the Vucovich's, one of racing's first families as well as the Gearhearts who designed the cars that ran at Indianapolis. Baseball is important, the city having had ties to Major League Baseball through its Fresno Cardinals and later Fresno Giants. Now we are enjoying Triple A baseball at Chuckchansi Park downtown watching the San Francisco Giant affiliate Fresno Grizzlies. If you are into baseball, who can remember the Hall of Fame infield and the saying Tinker to Evers to Chance. Frank Chance was from Fresno.
Do you like to play golf? Fresno has some of the finest golf courses you can find anywhere. One of the first courses in California is here, Fort Washington Country Club. We have a course that was designed by the same designer who designed Torrey Pines in San Diego, Riverside Golf Course. We have park style and true links style, all within a 30 mile radius. Come and play.
We have two national parks close to us and there are many lakes in the area to choose from. Do you like to water ski? How about riding the wind in a sailboat? You can do that here on the lakes nearby.
When I was younger, I could not wait to leave this town. Since then I have come to enjoy the city and am proud to call it home.
I have lived in Fresno most of my life, even though I was born in Los Angeles, California. We moved here when I was two years old in 1957 and have seen this city change in many ways. I can tell many stories about my past here, but I won't. This city has grown from the small agricultural town I grew up in to the World Class City it is now. I used to hate this place, now I have fallen in love with it.
Where do I start? We have some great restaurants and night spots. Some of the best Mexican restaurant are here, such as Cuca's and Castillo's. The Italian cuisine is fantastic as is the high end elegant restaurants such as The Standard. Of course, there is always George's for shish-ke-bab and Middle Eastern cuising. We have it all, including Ethiopian.
How about sports? This is a sports town. This is the home of the Vucovich's, one of racing's first families as well as the Gearhearts who designed the cars that ran at Indianapolis. Baseball is important, the city having had ties to Major League Baseball through its Fresno Cardinals and later Fresno Giants. Now we are enjoying Triple A baseball at Chuckchansi Park downtown watching the San Francisco Giant affiliate Fresno Grizzlies. If you are into baseball, who can remember the Hall of Fame infield and the saying Tinker to Evers to Chance. Frank Chance was from Fresno.
Do you like to play golf? Fresno has some of the finest golf courses you can find anywhere. One of the first courses in California is here, Fort Washington Country Club. We have a course that was designed by the same designer who designed Torrey Pines in San Diego, Riverside Golf Course. We have park style and true links style, all within a 30 mile radius. Come and play.
We have two national parks close to us and there are many lakes in the area to choose from. Do you like to water ski? How about riding the wind in a sailboat? You can do that here on the lakes nearby.
When I was younger, I could not wait to leave this town. Since then I have come to enjoy the city and am proud to call it home.
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| Fresno's Fulton Mall |
Monday, July 15, 2013
Have Agent...Will Travel
What is a travel agent anyway? Some think that an agent takes your money for services you could do yourself over the internet. I was guilty of that myself. There is more to the discussion and I have learned some important lessons by not using the services of a travel consultant.
Notice I used the title "Travel Consultant". That is what a travel agent really is, at least a good one. They are there to be your representative. They represent you and your interests, and provide some needed clout in case something goes wrong. They are there to truly help and look out for your interests, not just make your booking arrangements.
Where are you going? In most cases, your agent has been there and done that. What Italian restaurant do you recommend when you are in San Diego, Ca.? Phillippe's in Little Italy, of course. How do I know that? I have been there and have had dinner there. If I haven't been somewhere, I at least know where I can find the information and if that information is accurate or just a paid advertisement for a specific restaurant or attraction. Is it worth it? A good agent will tell you.
With an internet travel site, what happens if something goes wrong. Who do you talk to, and how much pull do you have? I have had this happen to my daughter when she booked an airline flight for her sister. Something went wrong that could have been fixed had she been dealing with a travel agent. In the eyes of the person she was talking to on the internet site, she was just a number. An agent would have been dealing with her and had been able to more effectively been an advocate for her. The internet site was an intermediary and the problem was with the airline. The agency would have been able to deal directly with the airline.
A travel consultant working at a travel agency is there for you. They represent you and are working for you.
Notice I used the title "Travel Consultant". That is what a travel agent really is, at least a good one. They are there to be your representative. They represent you and your interests, and provide some needed clout in case something goes wrong. They are there to truly help and look out for your interests, not just make your booking arrangements.
Where are you going? In most cases, your agent has been there and done that. What Italian restaurant do you recommend when you are in San Diego, Ca.? Phillippe's in Little Italy, of course. How do I know that? I have been there and have had dinner there. If I haven't been somewhere, I at least know where I can find the information and if that information is accurate or just a paid advertisement for a specific restaurant or attraction. Is it worth it? A good agent will tell you.
With an internet travel site, what happens if something goes wrong. Who do you talk to, and how much pull do you have? I have had this happen to my daughter when she booked an airline flight for her sister. Something went wrong that could have been fixed had she been dealing with a travel agent. In the eyes of the person she was talking to on the internet site, she was just a number. An agent would have been dealing with her and had been able to more effectively been an advocate for her. The internet site was an intermediary and the problem was with the airline. The agency would have been able to deal directly with the airline.
A travel consultant working at a travel agency is there for you. They represent you and are working for you.
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| A Seaplane Over British Columbia |
Sunday, July 14, 2013
I'm Back...Much More To Come!
Of my three blogs that I write, I have kind of neglected this one. No more! I have announced my association with a Travel Agency here in town (Fresno, Ca.) and will use this blog to keep you informed about a lot that is happening in travel. I will write about destinations, my travels and other related topics and hopefully incorporate my strange sense of humor and outlook on the world in general that many of you have come to appreciate-or loathe-on my other sites. Anyway, I am very excited about this and hope you will keep coming back to my site.
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| Steaming Underneath The Lion's Gate Bridge in Vancouver Canada. |
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Open Your Eyes and See
I live in Fresno, California. Many people in this town say that it is a city that doesn't have much to offer. What I say is look around. You must open your eyes and look, really look. There is much to actually see.
I think that is the case wherever you go. Sometimes you are so into what you are going to do, the "end result" that you don't see the important stuff that is in front of you. I understand the desire to "get there", but try to see what is on the way. The journey is also important.
Let me share this with you. I recently played golf at a course near Fresno. I have played this course many times, but have really never stopped to actually "see" the course. Here is what I saw. I love old weathered wood. The way the light falls on it and produces shadows really sparks the creative eye in me.
There was also a ridge of plain rocks that I never notice. The way they set up, with the textures and shapes of the rocks was very artistic. Simple thing around you are stunning provided you look for them.
The trip, wherever you go is important. Getting from point "A" to point "B" is why we travel. In most cases the destination is what is important. That is true, so very true but don't forget the journey. Open your eyes and see the wonders along the way even if you don't go anywhere.
I think that is the case wherever you go. Sometimes you are so into what you are going to do, the "end result" that you don't see the important stuff that is in front of you. I understand the desire to "get there", but try to see what is on the way. The journey is also important.
Let me share this with you. I recently played golf at a course near Fresno. I have played this course many times, but have really never stopped to actually "see" the course. Here is what I saw. I love old weathered wood. The way the light falls on it and produces shadows really sparks the creative eye in me.
There was also a ridge of plain rocks that I never notice. The way they set up, with the textures and shapes of the rocks was very artistic. Simple thing around you are stunning provided you look for them.
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