Cruz’n 1 down Cali

Near the end of February we said our goodbyes to our San Francisco grandparents and headed down the coast persuading better temperatures and more sunshine.  Nate brought me a beautiful red rose which I unfortunately left in Tahoe, so he brought me another flower arrangement for this leg of our journey that is the perfect size for our “home”. 

Our first stop, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, was a childhood memory that made quite a lasting impression on my hubby.  

I loved the exhibits that featured sea life in the bay complete with native seed weeds, a large semi outdoor bird sanctuary and wave wall.  

This Starbucks has an ocean view, sweet!

Re-adapted cannery buildings

This place is awesome for kids and I look forward to our future visit with them.  Carmel-by-the-Sea, a couple minutes drive from Monterey, is by far the most beautiful town I’ve visited on the pacific coast.  Carmel’s beach was the first beach Nate experienced as a baby and Nate so desperately wanted to feel the Carmel sand between his toes; as a result this was a short beach walk. 

I cannot imagine any RV’s driving down the this stretch of highway 1, I got freaked out in our little Honda.  There were several instances where we came upon lights for one way traffic as the road is under construction for washouts and slides.  The view literally took my breath away.  

I don’t think all ever get tired of that drive.  First timers tip:  Fill up your gas tank in Monterey.  We saw the signs warning drivers that the next gas station was in 42 miles but we didn’t know the 42 mile away gas station would cost $4.99 a gallon!   Nate put 3 gallons in to get into a more populated area and we now have gas buddy as a web favorite on our phone.

Morro Rock

We also stopped in Thousand Oaks, near Sana Barbara to visit our high school friend, Brandon Ramsey.  Although his wife had to work that day, Christina cooked and baked a delicious meal for us and Brandon was an amazing host, of course, he’s carrying out the Ramsey legacy.   

Sana Barbara is gorgeous expect for all the off shore drilling plants to get in the way of a perfect paradise view.  I have no idea why gas is so expensive here when the Californians don’t even get to enjoy their ocean. 

Nate and I mostly stick to less touristy areas but we had to see Venice Beach and we ate dinner on a rooftop pub in Hermosa Beach, LA.  Our waitress thanked us for sticking it out in the cold, under heater units for the sunset. Us Washingtonians just smiled at her comment about the 55 degree weather, felt good to be out of the rain and watching an amazing sunset. 

As we meander our way through California I am amazed about how location shapes a person.  I always thought when Nate and I were dating that we were very similar in our origins and that the state of Oregon dividing our growing up experience wouldn’t make any significant impact.  For those of you back “home” (which is such a profound term for me at the moment) that know Nate to be a little obsessed with bears, this has an origin. Memories of the amazing bear cake made by Ben Jacobson for Nate’s birthday come to mind, and what do I see as soon as I cross the border?  Not only is the bear the state mammal, it’s on the state flag!   Other things to ponder: Split pea soup, fish sticks, messy pantries verses immaculate ones, marine life, skate boarding, beach, kids running program, Asian classmates, mannana, ect: My cliff notes on Nate which would take too long to explain but I am writing this blog for myself too!  Day to day exposure of the immediate environment a few hundred miles away creates such diversity, and I love the discovery process.  I highly recommend cross state couples to give their spouse tours and time in their origins.  Nate and I have been together 8 years including our dating period, and I have learned so much in the last few weeks about Nate and I’m so grateful for the journey.