August 4: Los Osos to Gilroy, CA

August 4

We are packed and on the CA-1 by 10 am driving north along the coast.  It's an overcast day but we see zebras with the cattle below Hearst Castle.

We stop to see all the pelicans on the nearby rocks.  One flies around in a large circle, then lands as another flies around in the same circle.  Two are performing a ritual of flapping their wings, then nodding their heads.

We stop at the Elephant Seal vista where there are dozens of the large creatures (as they move, their bodies jiggle like a bowl full of jello!) on shore sleeping; various pairs of young males are learning to fight and are biting each other's necks.

The farther north we go, the less haze we see.  The coastline is beautiful with rolling hills and wildflowers.  At a little town (a general store, restaurant and gas station), we check out the gas prices:  regular was $6.49 per gallon!

Lunch is at the famous Nepenthe Restaurant where we share the famous Ambrosia Burger and the Beet Salad along with a Dark & Stormy (dark rum with ginger beer) and a Mission Dark Seas Russian Imperial Stout.  This was our view:

Our next stop is Carmel-By-The-Sea; we are lucky enough to find a parking space so we are able to take a walk on the soft sand.

Monterey beckons and we drive along Fisherman's Wharf on our way to Cannery Row.  At one time, this area was full of sardine canning factories. John Steinbeck wrote a novel titled "Cannery Row" (which I now need to read!).  There has been a total revitalization of the area so it is now thriving with restaurants,shops of all types, pubs,etc.  One could wander for hours here!

Dinner is at the Black Bear where we share Pecan Encrusted Trout with tartar sauce, sauteed summer squash, corn chowder and fresh fruit with a warm cornbread muffin.  Tasty!