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From Michigan to Monterey

Want to take a mental break from the scorching temps in Michigan?  Head out to the west coast with me.  This trip, we'll make stops in Monterey and Carmel.

Scenic Monterey
Scenic Monterey

All kinds of things to see and do along Cannery Row in Monterey.  Originally housing a sardine packing plant, Cannery Row is now  home to shops, hotels, spas and restaurants. 

Cannery Row
Cannery Row

Still, the natural beauty remains.  Ready to take a walk along the beautiful shoreline, I was prepared with a light jacket.  Temps here are in the 70s with a strong breeze.  Climbing down on the rocks, the view is worth it. 

Me and Monterey
Me and Monterey

What a great place to recharge!  You could lose track of time watching the sea lions and kayaks.

View from the rocks lining Cannery Row
View from the rocks lining Cannery Row

On to the shops and restaurants that line Cannery Row.  To lure you in, several eateries offer free samples of clam chowder streetside.  I'm not normally a fan because of the heavy cream, but it was tasty!

Free clam chowder at Cannery Row
A taste of clam chowder at Cannery Row
 
Delicious clam chowder!
Delicious clam chowder!

For a quick dessert, I had to stop at Ghiradelli's ice cream shop.  After all, Ghiradelli's chocolate is a California staple. 

Yes! Chocolate!
Yes! Chocolate!

I made a mental note to check out the store in San Francisco then went inside to taste one of their specialites, a hot fudge sundae!  The portions were generous, so I shared this one with my husband.

Vanilla ice cream and Ghiradelli's hot fudge!
Vanilla ice cream and Ghiradelli's hot fudge!

On to beautiful Carmel by the sea, where Clint Eastwood once served as mayor.  I discovered Carmel still has a law on the books from the 1920s banning heels higher than 2" to protect the city from heel wearers tripping over tree roots pushing up from the sidewalk!  Good thing I was wearing flats!  We stopped to catch a view of sea lions on an offshore island, but I could only see birds.

Do you see any sea lions?
Do you see any sea lions?
 
Here's a closer look.
Here's a closer look.

Another look at Carmel's natural beauty. 

Carmel by the sea
Carmel by the sea

 

Next stop: San Francisco!

Read more Weather or Not with Lori Pinson!

 

 

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