First week

First part of last week was spent getting ready for the trip to the Monterey Peninsula: packing the motorhome, buying produce, that sort of thing. I did get some fusible interfacing (Misty Fuse black), which worked almist perfectly -- and would quite possibly have been better if I'd used it before cutting out the motifs. Live and learn.

When we arrived at the RV park (Marina Dunes, for those who may be interested), we walked down to the beach. A third of a mile on a sandy path, with a steep drop at the end to the beach itself. Saw lots of pelicans and cormorants, some gulls, and a couple of turkey vultures. On walking down the beach, we discovered the vultures were after the seal carcass near the high tide line. Walking back to the motorhome was exhausting; I was sweating in 60-degree weather, my legs were rubber, and my ankle hurt like hell. Fortunately, my husband had left the beach sooner, and he met us at the trailhead with the car, so I didn't have to make it as far as the motorhome on foot.

Thursday, we went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. That was an awesome trip, and I want to go back again someday. At one point, the girl fell asleep (we took an umbrella stroller) and her dad and pop-pop sat on a bench near her resting. My MIL and I just stood at the near tank, watching the flounder, skates, bat rays, leopard sharks, sturgeon, and seven-gill sharks. That was awesome. I love the way the rays move, and I'm going to have to make an alien race that looks like that but has the brains of a cephalopod.

My one disappointment: their lack of an on-line store. There were a couple of shirts I was interested in, but couldn't decide on then. Their "on-line" store is a handful of gifts, books, and plush that you have to call to order. No shirts. Very little merchandise at all. They seriously need to join the 21st century! (If anyone is going in the reasonably near future, let me know -- I'll send you a check if you're willing to pick up shirts for me!)

Also, I read david_bridger's Beauty and the Bastard while driving both ways (well, being driven). Most enjoyable!

Friday was a day at Point Lobos. More walking, including up and down stairs, as well as along Gibson Beach. Picnic lunch at the South Shore picnic grounds. The area brought to mind my shelved project that was intended to be submitted for the Nocturne Bites line, Blake and Melody, a.k.a. "Reign of Lightning." My reasons for leaving it remain, but I was still tempted to go back and do some work on it.

Yesterday, we drove back to Grass Valley. I read more of Echoes while we were on the road, but mostly, it was a quiet day.

Next vacation, I'm bringing mire books with me. Yes, I have dozens on my iPod, but there are issues, such as needing to charge it, the boy wanting to check his Zombie Farm or borrow it for some other reason, and bumpy roads making it hard to change pages. I think I shall have to raid my in-laws' bookshelves.

All in all, vacation is going nicely. I didn't start out as relaxed as last year, but that's because, despite being quite able to take care of myself, I find vacation most calming when there are no choices that I have to make, when someone else has done the plans. Last year, my husband had done all the reservations and route plans. The past few days, it was my in-laws. But having to be the one to get everyone from one place to another and decide what to do each day -- not so much on the relaxing side. Yes, there are downsides to being an adult.