Monterey -- Report 6 - Carmel Valley and San Juan Bautists

Friday, April 18.

Decided to take a drive inland in search of warmer weather and to see some new sights. (Campus engineers sent e-mail this week saying that the campus heat would be shut off April 30. Hope they have good information.) I'd been looking at map and noticed the Carmel Valley Road running SE from Carmel about 50 miles to where it meets Hwy. 101 in the Salinas Valley near Soledad, which is near the Pinnacles National Monument, about which I'd seen articles about its rock formations and wildflowers. So, off we went.

First 20 miles or so of the Valley Road, following the Carmel River, which empties into Carmel Bay, featured vineyards, horse acreages, then ranches as we ascended the Coastal Range. Stopped for coffee, juice, and pastries at a pleasant village latte shop, in the sunshine. The coast had been pretty overcast as we left.

Here's some of the scenery. Lots of greenery and occasional wildflower patches. Read a couple of weeks ago that wildflower scene wasn't too prominent this year because fall and winter rains, above average, had grown the grass high enough that the wildflowers were mostly covered.

Even a barn.

The road was twisting and bumpy as we gradually climbed through and out of the valley. I'd been expecting more like a highway, so we were pleasantly surprised, as we like discovering these sorts of backroads. Here's the view of the back side of the range from the top. "The hills are alive with the sound of ... (XM radio) "

As we reached the Salinas Valley, we drove through huge vineyards -- nice geometrical patterns -- then vegetable fields.

Once we got to Soledad it was obvious that the coastal fog had worked its way inland so the Pinnacles area was pretty socked in. Decided to save that for another day, but in case we don't get back, there are lots of pictures at the above link.

We proceeded to the day's second objective: small town of San Juan Bautista and the Mission of the same name. A campus colleague had recommended this little town to me a couple of weeks ago as a place to warm up and enjoy the mission, shops, and restaurants. Wasn't that warm today, but we enjoyed visiting the Mission and the town.

The mission was established in 1797 and the church dedicated in 1812. I overheard in a conversation in the gift shop that the mission was in the movie, Vertigo. Gotta rent that.

There were several roosters in the mission gardens, crowing away. Later, in the ice cream shop, we noticed rooster t-shirts for sale. Clerk said that's one thing the town is known for -- chickens all around town. There's a chicken fair next weekend.

Town looks like the old West with clapboard and old adobe buildings along main street. We stopped in nice gallery and got information on where to eat. It's only about a half-hour from Marina, so we'll be back.

Cheers,

Susie and Rob