SLO haiku

A SLO haiku:

Great weekend weather,

I loved each sunny moment.

Feeling my sunburn.

Pictures from the top of Bishop's Peak. Hiked it this weekend with my mom and David.

Other SLO highlights: Bali's x2 (both locations :), Firestone's (and seeing Kali there!), Creeky Tiki (my new favorite spot), live music, UFC fight, Aaron's graduation, wine tasting at Edna Valley winery, voicemails from Claytone, mini "things" and borrowed pajama pants, quality family time!!

I lovvvvveeeee going to SLOOoooOOOOOoooo

Hiking Fort Ord

Even though my coworker warned me of ticks on the Fort Ord trail, I still took my mom and my sister on the Jim Wrona Loop. Jim is one of the guys in my running group at work and he discovered this loop a while back. Lately it has been the only trail we go on - hopefully we'll switch it up tomorrow! Here are some lovely pictures from the hike. Spending an hour walking around with my mom and sister gave us a lot of time to catch up free from distractions. :)

The wild turkeys were out again today! I think I see at least one wild turkey every other day. Today they had their turkey tails open. That was a first...

    

One of the many LOST hatches in Fort Ord. This is the lavatory hatch. There are tons of abandoned buildings on the trail, all from when Fort Ord opened in 1917 as a field artillery target range and maneuver area. The 7th Infantry Division was the primary division based at Fort Ord. They were first activated for service in WWI, but their actions in WWII were the most memorable. They fought against the Japanese forces in the Pacific Theater. Division units practiced boat loading at the Monterey Wharf and amphibious assault techniques at the Salinas River in CA. (Thanks, Wikipedia.)

  

Happy trails...

"Weekend's Top Events" - Blog Monterey

My pics from Blog Monterey's top weekend events (with my commentary):

Friday
“A Night In Italy” - Special dinner held by the Friend of the Monterey County Fair at the Monterey Fairgrounds. There is bocce tournament ($25 entry per team), two auctions, and yummy Italian dinner. $35 per person, $60 per couple and $20 for children 10 and younger. The tournament and dessert auction begin at 5:30, dinner begins at 7, and a live auction begins at 8:30pm. You can find tickets at the Monterey County Fair office at 2004 Fairground Road.
- THOUGHTS: I love Bocce Ball. There is a terrific Bocce court/restaurant in Los Gatos called Campo diBocci. Ever since my first trip to that establishment, I've always enjoyed playing a round or two while eating delicious Italian food. For that very reason, this event sounds really fun BUT I think it is probably for an older crowd? Also, I imagine most of the people who are planning on going are probably supporters of the Monterey County Fair and go to this event every year... and they'd be like: "WHO is she?"

The Pacific Repertory Theatre presents “The Jungle Book, Jr.,” live! The 50+ performers all come from PacRep’s School of Dramatic Arts. Show details: 7:30pm, Golden Bough Theatre, Monte Verde St. between 8th and 9th Avenues, Carmel. $20 for adults, $10 for students and teachers, and $7 for children. Purchase at the official Pacific Repertory Theatre website.
- THOUGHTS: This show goes on all weekend! I love theater shows! Especially ones that feature younger kids performing. It reminds me of the many PYT shows I saw in Mountain View with my mom and sister. It's just the bare necessities....

"It’s a full metal weekend at Jose’s Underground Lounge. The drumsticks fly fast and furious on Friday with death and thrash metal acts Praetorian, Remains of the Tyrant, Chasm of Illmen and Gorphyriac. 21+ (youngsters, check out tomorrow’s show). 8pm, 638 Wave Street, Monterey, $5."
- THOUGHTS: The Flight of the Concords song jumps to mind: "If that's what you're into..."

Saturday
More shark related Monterey Bay Aquarium stuff! Remember that post on Shark Days? Okay, this has nothing to do with that. BUT, wildlife photographer and naturalist Chris Fallows is giving a talk about photographing sharks in the wild. Listen at 11:30am, 1pm and 3pm (or all three?) in the auditorium. Price is included in aquarium admission.
- THOUGHTS: If you are going to the aquarium anyways, definitely take advantage of this opportunity. I retired from dangerous oceanic photography in '97, crazy stuff! Okay, not true. But imagine being the guy (speaker Chris Fallows) who took the photo below. WOWZA, yeah?

Photo Copyright Chris Fallows. Source: http://www.apexpredators.com/

More hike-ortunities! Take a docent-led hike at Garland Ranch Regional Park in Carmel Valley. The Maple Canyon to Mesa Hike is 3.5 miles with a moderate elevation gain of 800 feet and will take about 2.5 hours. Meet at the Garland Visitors Center. 12:30pm-3pm. It’s free but space is limited; register on the official MPRPD website.
- THOUGHTS: NicoleG, a contributor over at BlogMonterey said that the reason they limit the size of the group is because each leader has a group of about 15 or so hikers. That's pretty neat! Next time I'm in town on Saturday I definitely want to sign up for one of these guided tours.

Documentary showing at the Steinbeck Forum at the Monterey Conference Center (One Portola Plaza) @ 4pm. “Shades and Stories of Monterey” shows what life was like in Monterey during the mid-20th century through the eyes of longtime residents. Also includes backstory on the canning & fishing industries from the people who lived it. FREE! ...BUT, seats are first-come first-served, so show up early!
- THOUGHTS: Has anyone else had to do a school project on John Steinbeck? I was part of a group project that did a video about the famous author. We went all over - to his Salinas house, school, grave. We also drove down to Monterey to add clips of Cannery Row. Our community is rich in history, so why not spend an afternoon walking around Alvardo Street (try a crepe from Monterey Crepe Co!) and then walk over to the Monterey Conference Center for a cool movie? Especially if it's kind of foggy out, those are documentary-watching-days.

“Hearts for Haiti” benefit concert. Acts include Carla Blackwell, SpectorDance, Red Beans & Rice and Jonah and the Whalewatchers; see the official website for a full list. 6:30pm-10pm, Embassy Suites, 1441 Canyon Del Rey, Seaside. Tickets at the door are $25 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under, military and senior citizens; you can save $5 each by buying your ticket online.
- THOUGHTS: No thoughts, really. This sounds like a great cause. If you do not have the time but still want to contribute to Haiti relief funds or the Chilean relief funds, or any of the other charitable organizations really - just google where to send your contributions to. But if you go to Hearts for Haiti, you can help out while seeing awesome local acts perform.

Afrobeat funksters Danjuma & Onola create a great party atmosphere with their bright, danceable music. They play Fernwood Resort tonight. 9pm, Highway One Big Sur, no cover.
- THOUGHTS: I want to go! Dang trip to Tahoe (not really, I'm very excited about that as well!)

Sunday
If you missed it last weekend, catch “Very Barrie” at the Monterey Museum of Art La Mirada today. Listening Place reads two one-act plays by J.M. Barrie, author of Peter Pan. 1:30pm, 720 Via Mirada St., Monterey, included in museum admission fee.
- THOUGHTS: Crossing my fingers they also have this next weekend... couldn't make it last time due to Vegas, and this weekend we'll be driving back from Tahoe.

I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend in Monterey, Carmel, Seaside, Big Sur... anywhere in our lovely county. If you discover something fun please leave a comment below with the WhoWhatWhereWhenWhys. If you are taking a vacation, drive safe! Call me if you are heading to Tahoe :)

"Weekend's Top Events" - Blog Monterey

My picks from Blog Monterey's"Top Events" (with my commentary):

Friday
The Dixieland Monterey Festival is three days straight of great, traditional jazz and swing at the Monterey Conference Center and Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey. Today’s live performances, on eight stages, run from 11:30am through 10:30pm and include the bands Titan Hot 7, Flambeau, B.E.D., Sweet Thursday Jazz Band, Vaché-Cocuzzi Quintet. Day badges are $40; all-weekend badges are $90. For the full listing, tickets and more information, see the official Dixieland Monterey website.
- THOUGHTS: This seems like a lot of fun, but is it seriously 11 hours long? For three days straight?

The Salinas First Fridays Art Walk has a number of new venues as well as the old standbys. In addition to the aforementioned art, there’s live performances as well as the occasional free food and drink. It’s family-friendly, fun, and free. 5-8pm, 100-300 blocks of Main Street and surrounding areas, Salinas.
- THOUGHTS: Free food, entertainment, and art? As long as it's not freeeezing, this would be a great, relaxing, Friday night activity.

Central Coast favorite rockers Mike Beck and the Bohemian Saints bring their Tom Petty-meets-The Byrds sound to the Turf Club at the Monterey County Fairgrounds for the March Hare at the Fair Dance Party. 21+. Includes a no-host bar and appetizers. 8pm, 2004 Fairground Road, Monterey. $10 at the door, $8 in advance and $5 for those with military ID.
- THOUGHTS: What does no-host bar mean?

Local (and, unusually for the genre, female-heavy) hard rockers Granted Earth hold a CD release party tonight at Jose’s Underground Lounge that is guaranteed to be loud, rowdy and fun. Joining in the decibel-heavy celebration are the headbang-worthy Pride Subject, industrial-metallers Spacehooker and San Francisco speed metal act We Be the Echo. 9pm, 638 Wave Street Monterey, $5.

Saturday

Take a 2-3 hour hike along Garzas Creek and back exploring the “Fabulous Ferns and Flowers” of Garland Ranch Regional Park in Carmel Valley. This free hike is 3.3 miles with an elevation gain of about 530 feet. It’s limited to 15 people; register online at the official MPRPD registration page under “Free Hikes.”
- THOUGHTS: I don't understand why one would need to register to hike? Is this trail particularly dangerous? Is there a trail guide? Will he give me a granola bar?

MORE Dixieland Monterey ... Royal Society Jazz Orchestra, Blue Street Jazz Band, Big Tiny Little Trio, The Midiri Brothers Sextet... 10am-11pm... Day badges $55.
- THOUGHTS: Day badge price increases from Friday to Saturday!

Traditional bluegrass/folk band Microtonic Harmonic performs at Fernwood Resort on Highway One in Big Sur. 9pm, no cover.
- THOUGHTS: This sounds absolutely amazing. Very "Little Bear" (Evergreen, CO)

Brisbane powerpop outfit Grand Atlantic (covering Beyonce’s Single Ladies above) have made a splash on Australia’s alternative radio network Triple J. Their diverse sound has been compared to everything from Swervedriver to Oasis to the Smashing Pumpkins. Tonight, they land at Jose’s Underground Lounge on their way to SXSW in Austin. This sounds like one of those bills where, five years from now, you’ll see them on the Grammys and say, “I saw them when they played at Jose’s.” 9pm, 638 Wave Street Monterey, $5.
- THOUGHTS: I effin love Beyonce.

Sunday

MORE Dixieland Monterey... Taking Stock with Jackson, Yve Evans, We3, Ivory & Gold, Big Mama Sue Quartet and more; 9am-4:30pm. Day badges are $40.

The Monterey Museum of Art and Reader’s Theater present two one-act plays by “Peter Pan” author J.M. Barrie. Reader’s Theater uses no sets, costumes or memorization and uses scripts openly during the performances. 1:30pm, 720 Via Mirada, Monterey, included in admission fee.
-THOUGHTS: Out of everything Blog Monterey has suggested, this one seems the most intriguing. There is always something awesome and free to do on weekends, you just have to know where to look :)

Just walking around...

We woke up, ate a yummy breakfast that my roomie made (waffles, fried bananas, breakfast potatoes & ketchup) and then set out on a walk! I showed Kyle where I work and then we tried to locate a trail to walk on behind my building. After roaming around like safari people, we found a dirt trail. (It only took 12 seconds, so we weren't wandering for long.) Fast forward 5 minutes and we were already walking back. We wanted to get going down to Monterey/Pacific Grove and start our bike ride!

While walking back to the duplex, we saw this DOG/HORSE thing. It started barking like crazy and I thought to myself "hold up. I've heard that bark before!" It ended up being the mysterious-neighbor-dog that I always hear, but I've never actually seen it! The guy was H - U - G - E! He put his paws on the top of the tall fence and could peer over! Ridiculous!

Fort Ord Public Lands

Today I went for a run in the Fort Ord Public Lands. I just ran on the roads (only one car passing me by = amazing). I noticed a lot of trails too. If you follow the link you'll see that most of the trails begin on the right hand side of where I was today. I can't wait to explore on sunny days.

The official website describes this area as "some of the last undeveloped natural, public lands on the Monterey Peninsula." With more than 50 miles of trails, this former military base is protected by the Bureau of Land Management and can be enjoyed on foot, bike, or horse! The views are spectacular... apparently there are many rare plant and animal species.