Monterey, CA - February 2009

While we were in Sacramento, Heath and I decided to get away for a couple days and head to Monterey. Heath had never been and it has been well over 20 years since I even remember going. In fact this was actually the FIRST time we were able to go somewhere "out of town"without the kids since our honeymoon. We do travel a lot but realize that all of our travels are not really "vacations". We are either visiting family, traveling to a wedding, funeral, etc. Because family is so important to us, we have made these trips our priority over the years. We are soon realizing that "we" need to become a priority at some point to. Heath and I are already toying with the idea of Hawaii for our 5th wedding anniversary this fall. He hasn't been since he served a mission there over 20 years ago and I have never been. I just need to get over my phobia of flying over water and we'll be good to go. I also have a bit harder time being away from the kids for more than a couple of days. So we will see.

Anyway, we left the kiddos with family and off we went. The weather couldn't have been better and although rain was forecast, we never saw it. Our hotel room was an older Best Western that had gone through a recent renovation and sat RIGHT ON THE WATER! Other rooms closer to Cannery Row on the water would have cost hundreds a night, not the Best Western. It was a very nice hotel for the price and we would go there again in a heartbeat. The waves crashed ALL night long and interestingly enough kept me up the first night since I wasn't use to it. It seemed as though we were having a really bad storm or I was in Laramie, WY in the midst of a huge wind storm. After you can wrap your head around the fact that your dang near sleeping on the beach, it becomes more soothing than an annoyance. The main thing we wanted to see while we were there was the Aquarium. It is very big and there is much to see. We enjoyed walking around the Cannery Row area and seeing all the cute shops. I could live in a place like this. I of course took tons of pics which I was proud to say my camera took fabulous photos. It's hard to choose just a few to post, so in usual Alyssa fashion, while these really are only a few, here are some highlights from our two days in Monterey. We had a blast!

Cannery Row (where all the shops, restaurants and expensive hotels are).

We ate at Bubba Gumps on Cannery Row. Our table was right on the ocean. So beautiful (and stinky).



We ate lunch at this restaurant. As you can see the patio area is open. This where we ate. During our lunch a seagull came up to a lady and took food right out of her hand. It was scary and cool at the same time. And let me just say, those birds aren't so small when they are up close.




Have I mentioned how beautiful my husband is? Cause yea, he is.



This is our hotel. This pic was taken from the aquarium.

Looking out from our hotel room (towards the aquarium). A view of Monterey.

Random pics, so cool.