Central California: Pinot, Pinnacles, and The Pacific
Monterey Bay Aquarium, Point Lobos, Big Sur,
April 2008
Page 3 of 4
 The
undulating sea nettle, beautiful and deadly.
The sea nettle hunts by trailings its long tentacles, covered with
paralyzing stinging cells to stun its prey. From there, the prey is moved to
the mouth-arms and finally to the mouth, where it's digested. Yummy. |
 The
most colorful jelly in the Mediterranean Sea, the Mediterranean Jelly, with
its plum-colored bobs and chocolate-brown mouth-arms, found in Mar Menor, a
coastal lagoon in Spain. |
 Their
overgrowth in this Spanish lagoon threaten to overrun fisheries and turn
away tourism. But the tourists here in Monterey are transfixed by the
Mediterranean Jelly's gorgeous colors.Walking back to the Fisherman's
Wharf, we couldn't help but stop off at the Old Fisherman's Grotto
Restaurant, serving some of our favorite clam chowder. |
 The
next morning, after, yes, another ten-hour sleep, we walked around Point
Lobos in nearby Carmel. |
 A
Point Lobos goose quacks in appreciation of the natural beauty. This
lovely photo also makes a nice Navigation Button, wouldn't you agree?We
got back later that evening...and went again to the Old Fisherman's Grotto.
We usually don't go to restaurants twice in a row, but the delicious clam
chowder beckoned. |
 After
another ten-hour sleep, we headed slowly south through Big Sur on one of the
most beautiful drives anywhere, Pacific Coast Highway, stopping often to
admire the views. Big Sur has been called the "Greatest Meeting of
Land and Sea", and it's difficult to argue with that. |
 The
River Inn, along the Pacific Coast Highway, part of Big Sur's "business
district". |
 Lisa
takes a photo of the enormous tree at Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur. |
 One
of the best reasons to come to Pfeiffer Beach is to see the surging tide
shooting through tunnels in the off-shore rock ridges. Every time I
visit this beach, I sit in front of these tunnels, utterly captivated
by the tide's onslaught.Every time I've been to this beach, it's been
extremely windy, and is rough on cameras. My friend Mitch's camera was
rendered inoperable while there, undoubtedly a nasty combination of wind and
salt water spray coating his camera. Mine survived, and for that
I was grateful. |
 A
family is transfixed by the surging tide through the tunnel at Pfeiffer
Beach despite the cold, driving winds. |
 The
pounding surf about to shoot through the tunnel of an off-shore rock ridge
at Pfeiffer Beach. |
 The
pounding surf at Big Sur, the chilly Pacific meeting the rocky Pfeiffer
Beach. |
 After
the windy Pfeiffer Beach, one of my essential stops in Big Sur, we continued
driving down the Pacific Coast Highway, still stopping often to take in the
phenomenal views. |
 After
continuing south some more, we stopped off to hike in pristine forests along
one of the canyons in south Big Sur, the towering trees almost a fantasyland
for me. |
 Along
our hike in south Big Sur. |
 The
lush ferns and greenery along our hike in the forest canyons of south Big
Sur, a babbling brook in the distance. Hikes rarely get more beautiful
than this. |
 A
smaller tree growing out of its larger original trunk. |
 We
continually criss-crossed the babbling brook, balancing on stones and logs
as we continued upward through the forest canyon. |
Central California: Pinot, Pinnacles,
and The Pacific, April 2008
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