Travels in the 2nd half

  The Monterey Peninsula is one of the most beautiful parts of the United States. It is an area where the Pacific Ocean meets California’s rocky shore. It is a great place to to come and enjoy nature. One way to enjoy this beauty is to take a trip along the 17-Mile Drive . This is a private road, owned by the Pebble Beach Corporation. The land was bought up in the early 1900’s by a group of railroad barons under the name of the Pacific Improvement Company, with the plan to build golf resorts and bring tourists to the area. So, as you drive along the road, several golf courses wind their way around you.    The reason to take the drive is to enjoy the sights. Watching the waves play among the rock, spraying the birds and the sea lions is a wonderful way to spend a day. A stop at the Lone Cyprus is as close to a must do on this trip. Since this is a private road, there is a $12.25 fee per car to tour the 17-mile Drive, but if you stop at one of the restaurants at resorts in ...

  The town of Monterey, California, has a long history. It was founded in 1770 by Spanish explorers, and became the capital of the Province of California in 1777. But I was in town for only a little over 36 hours, and I was planning on touring the 17-mile drive, so I spent my time as most tourists in a rush, visiting the “big name” sights of Old Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row.  If you read my posts regularly, you know that this is not how I usually visit a town. But I did have my reasons. Let’s talk about Old Fisherman’s Wharf first. It is home to all of the stores you might expect to find in such a place - tee-shirt shops, souvenirs, and fancy candy stores. There are also a range of sea food restaurants, although none were open for breakfast. Old Fisherman’s Wharf is where you can find several wildlife watching boat tours. But, the draw for me is the beautiful Marina. Especially on a quiet morning, with calm waters all around, it is a beautiful place to visit. My other vis...

Church Street   I love walking around in cities and towns. But exploring a city at night brings an entirely different view and experience. This week, I took a walk across Manhattan, from Chinatown to Tribeca. Cortland Alley Along Canal Street New York’s Chinatown is a bustling neighborhood. It is full of local residents, other New Yorkers and tourists. The stores spill out onto the streets, with bright lights shining, and goods piled on tables and hanging from the awnings. Even those stores that are completely interior are lit to attract attention. Mott Street Pell Street Doyers Street Pell Street Mott Street Mott Street Mott Street Mott Street Canal Street Canal Street  To the west of Chinatown is the neighborhood of Tribeca - Triangle Below Canal street. Tribeca was an industrial area. The industries changed over the decades, from shipping and storage, to dry goods, to printing and advertising. Most of these businesses died out by the end of the 20th century. During the past...