ROAD TRIP!

Lest anyone think that California doesn't have extremely diverse weather conditions, think about this:  When the hubby and I set out on a week-long CA road trip from Studio City on a fine July day, the route was via Santa Barbara for lunch, then through Lompoc to Pismo Beach along the coast, back to the 101 through Paso Robles, and over Highway 68 to the ultimate destination of Pebble Beach, the temps ranged from a low of 59 to a high of 103 .. and that was in one afternoon!  Both sunburn and chills all in one fell swoop ... crazy! In the beginning ... Sony Walkman for the 21st Century.  That thing has 40,000 songs on it and the hubby knows every one ... I do not. The Inn at Spanish Bay, one of three Pebble Beach properties and our first destination, has simply stunning views.  The sun sets at 8:30 this time of year, with a gradual departure over the Pacific Ocean.  At 5:30 each evening, a bagpiper plays as he walks across the course and one feels like they are at Scotland's St. Andrew's -- both in sound and view.  We visited there a few years ago ... it is a very cool experience, even for us non-golfers.   Dinner at the hotel's authentic Peppoli started out nice enough with personalized menus noting our anniversary (yep, still milking the upcoming 30th).  Regrettably, it was unacceptably loud for a fine dining room, so much so that the hubby's impaired hearing was offended.  The manager promptly set us up at a private table in the adjacent wine room, and we then enjoyed a fine meal plus were treated to amazing Affogato dessert.     Lovely greeting in the room ... Just one hour south via the stunning Highway 1 coastline is Post Ranch Inn in the Big Sur area.  Lunch is always an amazing experience, not only for an incredible view but for just fabulous food at Sierra Mar. This is probably a fourth or fifth visit to the restaurant, while never having stayed at the property which is priced rather astronomically .. Clockwise from left: chicken, trout, dessert with pistachio "sponge" cake; view of the completely covered ocean from the restaurant.   Nearby Carmel-by-the-Sea is fun for shopping/browsing with a good selection of restaurants.  I always like going into the art galleries as well for some great home decor items. And of course a trip to Pebble is never complete without experiencing the 17-Mile-Drive.  Since the entire area of Pebble Beach is restricted, there is an entrance fee ($10) if one is simply making the drive while neither playing golf nor staying at one of the properties.  I can't recommend it highly enough so as to be a looky-loo at the magnificent homes along the drive.  You alternately feel  like you are either directly on a golf course and/or about to go into the water ...  Views from the 17-Mile-Drive  In the interest of full reporting, I was less than thrilled with the Inn at Spanish Bay. Yes, the views are spectacular.  Having said that, for the $$$$ rates, the property definitely seems a bit "long in the tooth," and in need of updating.  There was a lengthy conversation with the manager upon departure who was most receptive and responsive.  Hey, if no one reports back then how will they know? Just doing my "job" here ...  To be continued as we head up Highway 101... Are you thinking about going somewhere but are stuck getting started? Do you need some ideas and/or expertise in planning your next adventure?   Instead of spending your valuable time, send me an email (travelwithterib@gmail.com) -- and let me help you with all your travel needs!

FUN AT THE ALL-STAR GAME!

Lucky me ... I'm going to the 2016 All-Star Game! And I don't even have to travel very far -- all the better.  Whichever MLB stadium is picked to host this annual "Midsummer Classic" pulls out all the stops to show the rest of the country (and likely viewers around the world) what a great place it is to see a game between the best from each league.  Does the outcome of the game matter? It didn't use to, save for friendly bets among folks who prefer one league over the other. But it has mattered a lot since 2006, when MLB and the players' union reached a permanent agreement that the league whose team wins the game be awarded home-field advantage in the World Series.  Suffice to say, not everyone was happy with that decision.     Given the proximity of my Studio City home to San Diego, the decision to attend took little thought.  Tickets were acquired from a Minnesota friend who was not using his allotment from his hometown Twins.  And hat's off to the greater San Diego area for having sufficient hotel rooms.  It is quite typical when attending a major sporting event (Super Bowl, Final Four, World Series) that every room within a reasonable drive is either unavailable (big blocks pre-reserved) and/or priced "excessively" (I'm being diplomatic).  In this case, I secured a room at a Sheraton for an average rate within two weeks of the game.  Unheard of ...  Petco Park is a magnificent stadium that opened in 2004.  Prior to that time, the Padres shared Qualcomm Stadium with the Chargers football team. Petco is one of those stadiums that is easily accessible on foot, car or via light rail.  The stadium's location in the heart of the city gives one a real feel for the location and is quite different than the Dodger Stadium experience, where virtually no one walks to the park.   Going to the actual game without first attending the Home Run Derby held the day before would be missing out on some great fun. Think it's easy to smack ball after ball into the cheap seats?  Think again.  Despite the fact that they get to pick who pitches to them, it is a tall order.  I was happy to see the Dodgers' Corey Seager hit 15 home runs as the first one at bat. In the end, the night belonged to the Marlins' Giancarlo Stanton with a record-setting performance and well-deserved trophy.  He hit some massive and towering homers .. FanFest at the Convention Center for gear (if you must!) On game day, one needs to get to the general area well in advance of the start time for a couple of reasons:  to get a parking place, but more importantly to soak up the environment and interact with fans from all over the country.  Since most everyone wears gear from their team of choice (or sometimes teams), it is a lot of fun to high-five others of like mind.  The FanFest at the Convention Center is really more fun for the younger kids with lots to do, and for the older fans who choose to way overspend on gear ... seriously, $40 for a t-shirt?? I'll buy it online, after the fact .. ! The pre-game festivities last a good hour, and are American patriotism at its best.  We happened to be on a side street just when the Marines began their walk to the stadium holding the enormous flag to be unfurled on the field.  It was several minutes long for all of them to pass, and quite fascinating to see up close.  As for the outcome, the American League emerged victorious with a score of 4-2, not to mention the hubby $30 richer.  And then it was hightailing it back to the car ... and home in under two hours after a great time was had by all! Spectacular flyover ...  A boy and his dog ... baseball at it's best. Are you thinking about going somewhere but are stuck getting started? Do you need some ideas and/or expertise in planning your next adventure?   Instead of spending your valuable time, send me an email (travelwithterib@gmail.com) -- and let me help you with all your travel needs!