Coming up two weeks later and a week of nonstop working, I can finally now post about the most anticipated day of the year: our third year anniversary. It was decided to spend it at Monterey again, but a couple days longer than last year when we went.
We headed out Tuesday afternoon after running a couple of errands and dropping the dogs off beforehand. It was about a two hour drive from Stockton, taking traffic into consideration. The drive there wasn’t bad, just too long to cope with.
We stopped halfway at Gilroy to stretch out and get more snacks for the road. Nearby the convenience store, there were a few outlets that we decided to check out to take a break from all the driving and sitting. I was most excited to check out what seems to be like a kitchen goods kind of store. You know you’re an adult when your excitement for new kitchen items bursts. Anyway, I ended up buying a few items that where not important, but we could use them sometime in the future like bag clips and an ice cream scoop (I was tired of bending my spoons). I did end up with a score with their 9 inch pie plates for $2.99 each. I bought two. I’m ready for Thanksgiving now.
We stayed at the El Castell motel, which was a good 10 minute drive away from Cannery Row. I always find it super fun to stay at a hotel of any sort just to see what I could find and what’s different, not to mention the free samples that come with. I also have a minor collection of key cards going on, mainly because I forget I have one and they stay in my bag. Oops.
After we got settled in, we went to get dinner and some drinks for the night. We couldn’t decide on what we wanted and the road we were staying on was filled with fast food and taco places. I wouldn’t mind either way, but I’d rather not have something in Monterey that we could easily get at home.
Meanwhile when trying to agree on a place to get food, we got lost and had to GPS back to the motel. I thought the road we were on was funny.
Aguajito. Like “mojito”, but with water.
Oh, what did we get for dinner?
… we settled for tacos.
But a veggie taco salad. It was pretty good, but if I knew better, I should’ve asked for the sour cream on the side. They put wayy too much in it.
Cue in the drunken Snapchats:
The next day we woke up pretty late, leaving the room by three in the afternoon. Full time job lyfe, never get any rest. We started out in Cannary Row, filled with sight seeing and gift shopping.
We then decided to head to Fisherman’s Wharf to find something for dinner. Got to love the “Would you like to try our clam chowder?” cries. “We also serve these in bread bowls.”
… um, no thank you.
We dinned in at Crabby Jim’s since we were persuaded by their happy hour special. $4 margaritas and $2 draft beers, hell yeah! I had my fill of margaritas while there.
Mango, raspberry, and strawberry. Can’t go wrong.
Of course they start us off with bread with balsamic and olive oil.
We also ordered some calamari, which were on the house as compliments from the chef, and I ordered some baby shrimp cocktail. Can never go wrong with some shrimp cocktail.
Some pictures to enjoy the time.
I ordered their scallops that were on top of a risotto with a light blueberry sauce, served with some veggies. The scallops were fried evenly, the risotto was perfect in al dente, and the blueberries really did compliment the meal. Not to mention the veggies were crisp and buttery. I don’t know anyone that likes scallops (or even heard of them for that matter), but I would recommend this dish in a heartbeat.
Kyle decided on their rib eye steak which he enjoyed very much as he never gets any red meat in his diet ever. I even lightweight told him to get it just so I can have some of his potatoes.
A different change of pace with dinner and it was very enjoyable. If I could change one thing about the experience, I would change our waiters. Yes, WAITERS. One was in training so he never noticed us or walked away too fast when we needed something and the other waiter that was training him was really trying to upsale us on the same items that we said no to the first time. I understand the “upsale” technique as I have to do that at my work, but never push it more than it needs to be taken. The first “no” will always be a “no” and a potential annoyed customer. Other than that, an awesome place to go if you’re willing to splurge a little.
After dinner, we headed back to the hotel to digest a little more before we went to Jack In The Box for fries and a cheesecake slice.
The next morning, we checked out of the hotel and went out for some crepes for breakfast.
Then we decided to drive out to Pebble Beach/17 Mile Drive to take some photos around. My dad and I would try to make a trip out here every year since Pebble Beach holds their golf tournaments in February, but never could plan it out right. I thought I would check it out myself.
After driving around, we headed out back home, but making a couple pit stops along the way. The main stop was at Casa De Fruita to pick up some fruits for the house and for my dad since he was sick when we dropped Bailey off. Childhood memories rests within that farmer’s market. I wish I had time to take photos, but I just wanted to get home to rest up for work I had the next morning.
We also stopped by a some reservoir to take a couple more photos.
Selfie photos fail:
We got home at a decent time around 9 o’clock. Put everything away and headed for bed. It was a nice little mini vacation, but of course it all has to end someday. Unfortunately it ended pretty soon on a Friday at 9 am when we both had work. Definitely not enough sleep for the three days of fun.
Life In A Photograph 