Pelican Poo

After spending most of the morning preparing the vehicle for our cross-country trek(oil change+new tires=500 bucks-I hate cars soo much), i decided to take a leisurely drive down hwy 1 to Monterey to see Cannery Row(I know...shut the fuck up w/ the Steinbeck already). I didn't really know how to get there but I found it w/ suprisingly few problems. Monterey Bay was fuckin fantastic. I strolled around w/ my camera gawking at the pelicans as a group of sea lions sang sweetly in the distance. The only thing I was missing from my tourist ensemble was a fanny pack bearing the phrase "Beach or Bust" filled w/ snacks and extra film. From there I continued my journey to Monterey to yet another one of Steinbeck's old haunts, Cannery Row. I continued my strolling and picture-taking shananigans and I had a fuckin blast doin it. I hit up a darling independent record store and treated myself to a cd. All of these things were well and good but the most amazing thing that happened during my latest excursion did not involve Cannery Row, the beautiful scenery, or even the sea lions. The pelicans take the cake, win the blue ribbon, whatever choice phrase tickles your fancy. The thing that impressed me was not their graceful aerial movements or how they can divebomb the poor little fishies before those pea brained goldfish realize what has hit them. As I walked back to my car, I quickly realized that the pelicans had left me an unwrapped and unwelcome present. I have never seen bird shit like that before. It was like a thousand pigeons got together, ate a bunch of one dollar bean burritos, covered them in mayonnaise and cheap hot sauce, washed them down w/ tequila and collectively took a ferocious power dump on the hood of the Jeep. It really was quite impressive. So the next time you're on the coast admiring these majestic birds you might want to wear a hat or bring an umbrella. Hats off to ya, my feathered friends.

Lettuce and the Literary Giant

Yesterday, I received a much needed lift to broken spirit. The Kid went off to play soldier so I stole his car to embark on my 20 mile journey to neighboring Salinas. This was no small feat considering I can get lost in my own backyard w/ a map and a travel guide. Despite my admitted shortcomings in the traveling dept. I did not get lost and arrived in a timely fashion to the land of lettuce and Steinbeck.
The drive itself was worth the trip. I became that stereotypically dangerous tourist as I began to take pictures of the incredible landscape as I drove down the winding coastal roads. Good times indeed.
The Steinbeck Center/Museum itself was good times as well. I had the opportunity to see Rocinante up close and personal(made even more special b/c I recently finished reading his last book). The town of Salinas was a shining example of what America has become. On the surface it is the charming hometown of one of America's greatest writers. Just beyond the brand-new parking garage adjacent to the Steinbeck center is a poverty-stricken ghetto that is home to many of the migrant workers that work in the fields that make Salinas the "lettuce capital of the world." Don't fix the problem, just build an aesthically pleasing distraction.
On the drive back to Monterey I stopped off at some campground to eat my lunch and take it all in. I drove straight up a mountain, put on some loud rocknroll and ate the hell outta my delicious Panini(it's a sandwich, not an Italian vagina). I'm not trying to sound like a tree-humping hippie, but this place is fuckin gorgeous. I felt like I was prancing around in a postcard w/ pesto all over my face(again, from the sandwich, not an Italian vagina.) No idea what's in store today. I may be lame again and run around on Monterey beach(the same beach that a young Steinbeck went fishing on nearly 100 years ago). Someone please kick me in the giblet fun bag for being so lame.

next installment...from the Golden State

The end of the semester finally came and went. Giving final exams and exporting grades for 18 weeks was an interesting experience. I still can't believe that I'm a schoolteacher and that I've been doing this for an entire semester already. I went out and celebrated this momentous occasion with a 12 hour assault on my liver that left me with sleep deprivation and a wicked hangover to deal with during my travels. Note to self: 18 beers plus 2 hours of sleep is not a good way to prepare for a 5 hour flight to California. I made it safe and sound and I'm glad to report that I'm feeling much better. The Kid's alive and well. While the Kid's off playin soldier tomorrow, I'm heading to Salinas or Big Sur, depending on the weather. This is an incredible place to visit, I only wish I had more money/time to enjoy it. But I promise to do my damndest to squeeze every bit of glory out of this place while I'm here. Thursday we're off for the cross country trip of a lifetime with the hopes of making it back to Ga. for Xmas. The trip will include lots of delirious activities and the pictures to prove it. Until next time.