Monterey, Carmel, Pebble Beach, California

Posted on November 10, 2010 by Barefoot Lovey's Traveloge

I LOVE this area of California. If I had been born to wealth this would be the place I would live! The beauty and the feel of this area is unmatched.

I went to Monterey for a few days the first of September. It was amazing. I had some of the best times I had my entire time in California. So it was no hard decision to go back on my last leg of the California Journey. I worked on the Blog for the Monterey HI Hostel so I had a comped place to stay. And had already made great friends with the staff so I couldn’t wait to get there.

First couple of days I spent hanging out with the staff and relaxing. Catching up on much needed sleep. Then I started exploring. I did lots of walks. I loved the walks to Lover’s Point. SO beautiful….One of my friends from SLO came to visit me. She asked me what I wanted to do. I said whatever you want. We talked and decided that the 17 mile scenic tour from Monterey through Pebble Beach and then Carmel is what we should do. She also knew of a place that had cheese tasting. She had a Port Wine that needed a good cheese so she would find out what their recommendations were. WELL, what a treat!!!!!

First we went to Pebble Beach. I wanted to take some pictures for my golfing friends, Louise and Pierre. I didn’t realize how much they paid to be on that course, but we got MANY a scenic picture without paying or golfing. Go us!!!! Seems to me that even if you were having an off golf day it would still be one of the best days because of the amazing views!

Pebble Beach, California

Once we left Pebble Beach we headed for Carmel. Now I have memories of Carmel from when I was 17 and took a trip through it with one of the great loves of my life, Paul. We had gone on a surfing trip and stopped here for a bit of sightseeing. But I was only 17 and new to the whole traveling thing so this was a big stop for me.

I LOVE Carmel. It is simply one of the most gorgeous places I have ever been. Clean, unique and alluring.

Carmel, CA

And then the ultimate. The Cheese Shop! Heaven. There is just no other explanation for it!!!

Years ago Marylou Henner wrote a book about the evils of ANY dairy. She claimed that if one was to never ever have ANY dairy that person would never have any cellulite. That includes butter, cheese of any kind, sour cream……

I say to that, “Why live”?!?

I have rarely been so enthralled as I was in The Cheese Shop of Carmel. Kent, the owner and our personal taster and explainer of all things cheese, gave me a brochure with ALL the cheese offerings and as I tasted I wrote notes next to each offering. My loves, likes, and bestests! Smiley faces, giggle faces, and big hearts.

Kent was unrelenting in explaining all the nuances of this vast variety of cheese. We then found out we had a commonality in East Tennessee. He has done many programs at the renowned Blackberry Farms. I know and love Blackberry Farms as a patron. We were solidified as friends!

Triple Creme anything cheese is my favorite. But, I also found a lot of cheese I’ve never tried. Loved them too!!!

Carmel Cheese Shoppe

After my day with Celeste. I just went to the ocean, museums, and the streets to see and feel the area of Monterey. I can see this being my life.

 

Me COOKING at the Hostel Monterey

After sightseeing each day I went back to the hostel and ate delicious meals with the staff and even cooked potato soup from scratch by my self one night. Go Me.

My next post will be about spending time with my family that I had not seen in 20 years or more in Northern California…

 

 

 

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My Time in San Luis Obispo

Posted on November 9, 2010 by Barefoot Lovey's Traveloge

I was so busy in SLO (San Luis Obispo), that I didn’t get much time to Blog. So I took lots of pictures and thought I would sorta just do a visual montage. These are some of the adventures I had there.

Me and The Cousins in Pismo Beach

Famous Madona Inn with Friends

Thursday Night Farmer's Market (EVENT)

Leaving the Hostel for a Day of Exploring (or a date)

Rigging the New Fixtures That JUST DONT SEEM TO FIT

Exploring SLO on BikeRugby Match Staring My Bar Friends

A Day of Painting in Morro Bay

SLO Exploring

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San Francisco 2010

Posted on November 9, 2010 by Barefoot Lovey's Traveloge

I have had the most amazing luck and blessings with my Couch Surfing Hosts all over California. I am constantly amazed. I ended up coming to the city of San Francisco a day early and put out an emergency request on the site. I found a great guy who lives in a beautiful home in the Castro District.

I had not heard of the Castro District before. It is a predominantly gay area of SF. My experiences have always been get a straight woman with a bunch of gay men and there is going to be fun. And that is exactly what I had. When I got to downtown I called my host, Jenner. He told me to walk across the street and get on the MUNI = the SF light rail and bus system. So I trudged with my suitcase, tote and backpack – yep I’m down to just those and I am thrilled – and got on the train. I met a really nice guy on the MUNI who told me where I needed to go. He then proceeded to pull my bags up the hill to where I was going. So nice.

Jenner is a hoot. He lives in a great apartment and welcomed me with open arms. I was exhausted from so much travel so after we chatted for a bit he went on and met his friends and I took my book and went to bed. I did have the pleasure having his beautiful dog join me for some RnR.

The next day we went to breakfast and a coffee shop around the corner. We took the dogs. One is a Siberian Husky and the other a Weimaraner about 16 months old. They are beautiful and loved getting out and about. Breakfast was great. Cheesy eggs and pancakes, coffee and juice. The waiter was wearing a kilt with a studded belt that read “nudist”. Sometimes one doesn’t need to go “sightseeing” to see great sites.

After breakfast I was deciding where to go actual sightseeing for the day.  Jenner gave me transportation advice and I was all set to go on my way when he received a text. It was from one of his friends and I found myself invited to join them for brunch. Since we had already eaten we went for the margaritas and the fun company.

We got there at about 11 and got home about 5. One of the fastest days I have ever encountered. Sightseeing the rest of SF would have to wait a day or so cause I was on my way to my next hosting site. Jenner was great and gave me ride. My new hosts live in South SF .

When I got there my new hosts were still working. It worked out very well cause I just crawled into bed and read. I do love to relax by reading. The next morning I got up to another very very warm day in SF. No fog whatsoever.

My host, Dorit, asked me if I would like to go for a hike. I most certainly did. She took me to San Bruno Mountain. There were several spots along the hike to view the city.. At the top there is a 360 degree view. So pretty. Unfortunately there is such a financial crisis in California now that the park is technically closed. No money for park rangers. Sad.

For my third day in SF I set out to see the city. I have visited the Bay area many times, but most always to see family. I have done a few of the touristy stuff there before, but I wanted to visit neighborhoods instead of just touristy places this time. That is what I did.

I took the bus to the middle of the City and just got off and began walking. The main goal of the day was to walk the entire Golden Gate Bridge which is now checked off my Bucket List.

I walked all over SF. I spent time in wandering through Golden Gate Park. I saw so much of the beautiful architecture of the City. I spent time in Haight-Ashbury and the Wharf. It was so cool to just hang out everywhere. At my host’s home we watched movies and ate wonderful food. Very adventurous and relaxing time in a beautiful city.

NEXT: I’m going to back track just a bit and post about the some of the adventures in San Luis Obispo and Monterey (I got a bit ahead of myself)…


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Montana de Oro State Park, Osos, California

Posted on October 6, 2010 by Barefoot Lovey's Traveloge

There was a guest from Quebec, an 18 year old who just graduated from high school and is traveling the entire west coast on his own (so right away he was a kindred spirit), we had gone on a Taco Tuesday taco run and were talking about what sites we enjoyed.

Once we came back to the Hostel with all our goodies a bunch of us were talking about a man I had met a man who found a bunch of raw jade in Montana de Oro that had come down from Big Sur.

So Nicolas (my new-found friend) said, “Well, when does it get dark?” I responded, “When the sun goes down.” He said, “Fine I’ll go look outside.” I shrugged and laughed. When he came back in a minute later, he said, “Okay there is plenty of time. Go get ready, we are going to Montana de Oro.” I sat for a minute, shocked, and then ran up to get ready. I quickly located overalls, Uggs and a sweatshirt. What a drive! Overhanging California Oak the whole way that suddenly opens up to the ocean. So AMAZING. And not on the every day “tourist” visit. We were there for hours. Well into dark. Moss on everything, smooth rocks with stripes, caves with water rushing in and out again, and drift wood. I was so at peace on one hand and excited on the other. This is a great website to tell about it, but it really has to be EXPERIENCED to get the fullness of it. http://www.totalescape.com/active/campstuff/SP/montana.html.

I’m going to post some pictures, but be prepared there is no picture we took that does this place justice.

Montana de Oro, California

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Monterey, California

Posted on October 6, 2010 by Barefoot Lovey's Traveloge

Monterey, California in the Summer

Monterey is truly one of the most magical settings in the USA. It is wonderful. I go to sleep and wake up to the sounds of sea gulls and sea lions. The above collage was done from my last visit here at the beginning of Sept. I am now here for about a week to enjoy it once more before heading north.

Last time I visited I enjoyed  the world-renowned Monterey Aquarium, the bar Steinbeck hung out at (and it is still owned and operated by the original 102 year old friend of Steinbeck’s), and the Wharf. I am lucky enough to be able to spend time with the staff and “Friends of” The Monterey Hostel. I have had some of my best experiences in California here in Monterey.

When I was here several weeks ago I had the pleasure of hanging out with a great guy from New Zealand, Gus. We took walks along the coast and lots of pictures.

I will add to this post with the pictures I take. This trip I am going to visit Big Sur, Carmel and hopefully Pebble Beach.

For now I am going to go and explore…

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Volunteering at Little Theatre in San Luis Obispo, CA

Posted on September 27, 2010 by Barefoot Lovey's Traveloge

When I first came to San Luis Obispo I had only planned on staying for about five weeks. Five weeks turned into almost three months. By far the funnest thing I’ve done while I was here is working at The Little Theater. A community theater in the heart of downtown.

I emailed Jessi, the volunteer coordinator, and met with her a day or so later at the theater to talk about what they needed in way of a volunteer.

A few days later I got an email saying that they needed some painting and building. I was excited. I showed up the next morning and have made the theater my home for the last 6 weeks or so. LOVE IT!!!!

The play was the Fantasticks. I worked on the two large trees, the Fantastic sign, and spent one very late night painting the floor. My boss, mentor and new friend, Dave, was so much fun to be around. As were the cast and crew. I have laughed and been myself and learned so much. YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH….

"Stacy's" tree

Set Building for Fantasticks

Opening night some from the show stayed after and were treated to story time from one of the actors, Larry Kaml, who worked at Disneyland on the Jungle Cruise for 11 years. Great stories!

On closing night I stayed in the Green Room during the performance so I could hang out with everyone when they weren’t on stage. It was a bittersweet night. After that performance we did what they call Strike. The cast and crew tear down the set. I was a bit sad for sure.

Closing Night.

Strike for Fantasticks

Before doing the set work for the next play, Leading Ladies, I helped with WOW (Week of Welcome) . This is a program at Cal Poly for their incoming freshman class. They work under upper classmen in the community as volunteers. Four groups of 15 working at two-hour intervals. The kids were great. We painted and cleaned and laughed.

Cal Poly Kids for WOW Volunteer Day

Cal Poly WOW Work Day

Between productions they do one night Reader’s Theater plays.  This one was called Side Man and was so poignant. Its about the downside of jazz in the 50s thru the mid 80s. The actors sit on stools and read the play. Great fun.

Reader's Theater

And I love the director, John Battalino. He has such a great gentle spirit. The above pictures were of that night. The cast party was last night. I can not express how much fun I had!!! And here are those pictures.

CAST PARTY for FANTASTICS

Started this past weekend doing the next set. Leading Ladies. This time I am using power tools!!!!!!!!!! Go me. I only have a few more days in SLO. Great way to end a fun time on my journey…

Set Building for Leading Ladies

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Hostel Obispo my new WWooFing property….AWESOME

Posted on August 18, 2010 by Barefoot Lovey's Traveloge

I have been in San Luis Obispo for several weeks. It is a special place. I can see why the students of Cal Poly want to stay when they graduate.

I arrived on Greyhound from Santa Barbara at 11:00 am. A nice smooth ride with only two very short stops. Once here it was a really short walk to the Hostel. Thank goodness cause, as I found out at the SB station, my two pieces of luggage weighed 49.5 and 56.2 lbs. I am supposed to be lightening my load, but seem to be getting more. I will change that while in SLO aka San Luis Obispo.

Once at the Hostel all the staff were waiting for me and we headed off to my welcoming luncheon. We walked with the Hostel dog in hot pursuit. About four blocks later we were at the Bistro, Buona Tavola: http://www.btslo.com/. Delicious. Northern Italian Cuisine. Most all had the specials. And we shared a wonderful bottle of red wine. It was such a cool way to get to know one another. We sat outside in the courtyard laughing and eating. There are pictures, but they are currently on a camera in Portland, Oregon. I will post them when they come back south.

I didn’t start working for a couple of days to give me a chance to acclimate. Nice.

There are three general shifts here:

The breakfast shift: Homemade sourdough pancakes made fresh daily with organic free-trade coffee. This shift includes starting the loads of sheets from the previous nites guests and taking any incoming calls.

The cleaning shift (this is the one everyone starts off on for the first couple of weeks): All beds remade with clean sheets. The wash hung….I had never hung the was on clothes lines before that first shift here – getting back to basics and all. Bathrooms cleaned and floors swept. Of course being the anal retentive person that I am I also have spent much time cleaning the corners and oiling the furniture.

The Hostel is closed btwn 11 and 4:30 so after the cleaning shift everyone is about their own business of other jobs or play.

At 4:30 the Hostel reopens and that shift consists of getting the sheets off the line and folding them. Checking in guests and making sure everything runs smoothly during check-in time.

Here are a few pictures of the Hostel…


There is so much to do in SLO. There are several beaches all within 15 miles of the Hostel. Avila, Shell Beach and Pismo are for laying out and surfing. Morro Bay and Montana de Oro are more majestic and full of nature. So far my favorite central coast place has been Montana de Oro. I have always loved Big Sur more than any place I’ve traveled. BUT Montana de Oro may have replaced it if not tied with it. I will write about it in my next post.

On the other side of SLO are the foothills. Lots of easy and moderate hiking. These peaks are called the Nine Sisters of San Luis Obispo County. http://santalucia.sierraclub.org/ninesis.html.

One of the hikes is called Cerro San Luis Peak. It has a concrete “M” on it, sorta like the HOLLYWOOD sign, and people hike to the top of the top of the letter and sit or take photos. They can see hawks and such flying below them. It is a very SLO thing to do. I have not done this, because of my very weak ankle (but I have played volleyball in a vineyard, so maybe it is just an excuse, hmmm, maybe I will analyze that later or maybe not).

Of course there is plenty to do in San Luis Obispo…

The town was built around a creek that runs through it. There are bars, novelty shops and restaurants that run along the river. Children go onto the rocks and play in the flowing river while their parents watch or join in. There are many people who go there to read or to do homework. It is a fun and serene place to hang out with many benches and rocks to sit or lay on.

There are concerts, much like Knoxville’s Sundown in the City, every Friday nite at the creek. Also every Thursday there is an evening Farmer’s Market downtown. This is NOT your usual Farmer’s Market, but a party/festival. It goes from 6pm till 9pm and fresh farm food purchasing is just one of the activities. There is music, all kinds of food vendors, and all the townies out for an evening of meet and greet.

I have been riding one of the Hostel’s bikes around town quite a bit. One of my co-WWOOFers has taken me on several exploring rides. Here are a few of those pictures (oh and I’m volunteering  painting sets while I’m here at the Community Theatre that is in this collage)…

Well that is about it for tonite.

My next post I will show pictures of Montana de Oro State park and several of the beaches around SLO…

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Santa Barbara…

Posted on July 27, 2010 by Barefoot Lovey's Traveloge

I arrived in Santa Barbara on Tuesday and had to be at my next WWOOF property early Friday morning. That gave me two full days of SB sightseeing. I made the most of it and met a few really great people. Two of which were my couch surfing hosts: Torie and Anthony.

Torie and Anthony....my couch surfing hosts

Such a great couple....

These two were so sweet to me. They had only moved in a few days before to this awesome apt. And still they let me sleep there. Very nice.

I was okay on a very short couch, but Anthony made me a wonderful pallet in his soon-to-be-music-room. I had fallen asleep on the couch while typing and was gently woken by Torie telling me about the pallet. I drowsily went to bed.

The next morning Torie gave me her business card so I could get a hold of her throughout the day. She works for the Historical Trust for preserving historical properties. Anthony had gotten a job he had been trying for the day I arrived and went to work soon after Torie.  I went sight-seeing.

First place I went was Jitters…loved their sign about being voted best “to do nothing or to do something”. There I worked on my computer and met all the baristas while I tasted most of the coffee and tea offerings. I was invited to come back at six and go with them to Trivia Night at a pub around the corner. I was on the bartender/barista team. It was so much fun…we lost but did get all the Entertainment questions, that they usually missed, because they were smart enough to have me on their team!

Pub and coffee houses

Random SB sightings

I love some of the signs in this town. Above are just a few. I went to the court-house, which I was told is the most photographed court-house in the USA. It is amazing. There is a 360 degree view from the bell tower. Then you can go to the court yards and relax. It is so  lush. There are no words. On the second floor there were many people painstakingly working to clean the murals that had been painted in the 1920s, but had been damaged in an electrical fire in January. Very  interesting to see the love and technique that goes in to every inch of the restoration. I was mesmerized. I remember seeing such work in Italy in 1994. I envy them working on these historical pieces.

Santa Barbara Court House

After I left the court yard I went to Alice Keck Park….WOW…  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Keck_Park_Memorial_Gardens

Alice Keck Park

California, USA, Santa Barbara flags

I just think this is a great place! I had so much fun. And it is so pretty. It’s clean. And a place I could never have visited without the wonderful and graciousness of Anthony and Torie…

Next stop: My new WWOOFing position in San Luis Obispo…

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A Training Zoo and So Much Other Fun Too…

Posted on July 27, 2010 by Barefoot Lovey's Traveloge

Moorpark…..


The train ride to Moorpark was so comfortable. I think I have said in other posts that I am really enjoying the train system in Southern California. I just wish it went to a few other outlining areas. There was a very small Marta system in place when I first left California and it has grown by leaps and bounds so I am sure there will be more and more routes added. It would be great if more native Californians would use the system to encourage the growth.


Anyway, when I arrived at the station I was told to look for a short Asian lady with a hat on and a 2 year attached to her hip. We spotted each other with no problem. Connie the hat wearer!

I have been missing my Marley a lot recently and was so excited to get a bit of a kid fix. Eve is awesome. And I would venture to say she thinks the same of me. We had a time doing everything from playing with their chickens in the backyard to the training zoo to church and bbqs. And then we had art/craft hour and I taught Connie how to make yoga mat bags. She made such a pretty one. I made Eve a purse too. I let her pick out the material and went to making it.

Eve's new purse and key chain...

Connie and her just made yoga mat carrier

The right one is the yoga bag we made for Ryan, Connie’s husband. We were busy bees that last nite.

I gotta say I fell hard for their 2 year old daughter, Eve.. She was with me from the second they picked me up from the train till they finally dropped me off 5 days later at my next couch surfing host’s. Here are a few of our pictures together…

We planted basil. We read books. We went to church together to watch her daddy play guitar on stage. We took walks. We played with her chickens: Pete, Pig, Bok Bok Choy…

My friend Eve...

Pig, Pete and Bok Bok Choy

After church, but before the bbq we went to the Moorpark Training Zoo. The only time I have been to Moorpark, California was 12 years ago when my ex-husband, Travis, had applied for the Moorpark Zoology Training Program. He ultimately didn’t get in but we were able to tour the zoo. So 12 yrs minus 1 day I was back again. This time only as a zoo visitor. It was a lot of fun.

We saw a show and my favorite part was the beaver. I am so excited about working with beavers in Poland and I was engrossed with the show.

I was upset a bit about how small and cage-like their living areas are. But I was told that these animals are not able to be kept at a zoo. They have  to have constant one on one care. It was fun to go and to see all the work the students do.

Moorpark Zoo Training Center

After all the fun with the family and breakfasts with friends and a BBQ, Connie and I went out for a couple of drinks on Saturday nite. We went to the downtown local pub called Jekyll n Hyde’s.

It closed at midnight which was a bit strange, but we had a lot of fun. Got to talk a lot and just get to know one another a bit. It was an eclectic place and we think we saw a woman only wearing her nightgown. But the beer was cold and the music nice….

Jekyll n Hyde's downtown Moorpark, California...not really a mecca of night life. O and that is a picture of me with a can of SPAM coverd Macadamian Nuts. SO GROSS!

The night of our Nite Out I was getting ready and I heard everyone in the hallway talking about getting an umbrella. I came out to see what was going on to find out that a VERY UNCOMMON July rain was happening. It lasted 5 minutes, but I was able to catch all the excitement with my camera…

Five minute July rain in Moorpark, California

Oh and before we left Moorpark I had to hit my new all time favorite fast stop eatery…..Sonic Taco!

before the big event

The great guys at Moorpark Sonic Taco...

Then it was time to move on…. Santa Barbara  was the next stop…

I was very lucky that Connie offered to drive me to Santa Barbara. Especiallty cause that gave me a bit more time with Eve and to enjoy talking with Connie. She made lunch and snacks for all three of us and we set off. After driving for a half hour or so we stopped in Ventura. I love it there. We went to several consignment shops and then on to the beach to eat our lunch…

Ventura...cool place

After lunch we went on to Santa Barbara. It was only about 20 miles more and it was a beautiful drive. Once there we stopped by my new host’s home to drop off my luggage and then headed on to the beach. It was very cool, because my new hosts make specialty tea and Connie and her mom make specialty Kimchi so they were able to barter their foods. I love this couch surfing stuff.

Once we dropped off my stuff we headed to the beach at Santa Barbara. We relaxed and played.  Eve was so excited. Fun to be had by each of us.

Santa Barbara beach with Connie and Eve

It was very bittersweet to say goodbye to Eve and Connie. I will miss them a lot. This is a great and fun family that I think in a different setting I would always be friends with.

To end this post I am going to put one of my all time favorite pictures of Eve. It is with my luggage as we were getting ready for the trip north. She looks so taken aback when I came to take a picture of her by my stuff at the car. She is still in her pjs and looks so guilty. She isn’t guilty of anything but caring about me. She has gone into their cabinets and got out some V8 juice < which I like a lot> and goldfish and was unzipping my luggage to put them in as a gift. It made me feel soooooooooooo great!!

Eve "sneaking" V8 and Goldfish into my luggage....I love her!

Next stop… Santa Barbara

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