Monterey, CA: 4th of July Weekend

Nick and I snuck off to Monterey for the weekend. The weather was beautiful. I swear I was meant to live by the ocean.   

We had so much fun, and we spent a lot of our time doing this:

In fact, over the weekend, we logged 20 miles cruising up and down the coastline. On Saturday, we rode our bikes from Seaside, where our hotel was, to Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey. 

In our quest to find something to eat, we came across a great street band and some lively dancers. You could feel the music in your bones. The drums and horns were hypnotic. One lady was dancing like no one's business. If I hadn't been wearing some hoochie mama-esque shorts, I would have been cutting a rug with her.        

Later that night we ventured down to Cannery Row for dessert. We also ended up having a second dinner, go figure. I'm sure no one that really knows me is too surprised to hear that I ate two full meals in one night. I'm a glutton like that.  

On Sunday we biked to who knows where. Actually, we ended up in the City of Pacific Grove. We began in Seaside and made our way down the beach trail passing Fisherman's Wharf and Cannery Row. Our goal was Pebble Beach, home of the Lone Cypress Tree, but the beach trail ended somewhere in between, and I was too chicken to ride on the small two-lane road. There were plenty of cypress trees to be seen all over Monterey, though.   

I mean, the scenery was to die for. 

And the beach trails were amazing, very much appreciated, and well traveled. Of course, I wanted to strangle a few people who had poor trail etiquette (i.e., walking on the wrong side of the trail and/or walking five deep to prevent cyclists from maneuvering around them), but I just cursed them under my breath and went on my merry way.  

Did I mention that I'm pretty sure I was meant to live by the ocean? Of course my first choice is Pismo Beach, but I'm not too picky. I'd take any of the houses along Ocean View Boulevard in Monterey. 

We couldn't stay for the 4th of July festivities since we both have to work tomorrow. They're not doing a fireworks show in Monterey this year, anyway, due to budget constrains. Still, we're happy to be home with our babies, Doug and Moose. They had a great time with their Grandma and Grandpa while we were away and, as per usual, were completely pooped when we got home. And we were too. 

Good night and happy 4th of July, everyone!