Otterly Beautiful

"The Jellies Experience" was gorgeous

Tuesday we spent the day in the fabulous Monterey Aquarium, the late afternoon window shopping down Cannery Row, and the early evening (right up until sunset) taking the 17 mile drive (one of only two private toll roads west of the Mississippi) through Pebble Beach.   Highlights in the Aquarium were the jellyfish exhibit (I never knew there were so many distinct jellyfish species, and I felt as though I had entered Finding Nemo), the adorable otters, the lecture about inventions that have been inspired by the marine world (truly fascinating), and, of course, the penguins and puffins, which are always a hit.  The 17 mile drive provided a wonderful route through Pacific Grove, a darling town just next to Monterey, and the very exclusive Pebble Beach community.   We also got to see the famous "lone cypress," which seems a bit less lonely when it is always surrounded by tourists with cameras.  It was a lovely final day in Monterey.

The adorable otters are a major attraction

Now we are packing up our things, so I must be brief before the computer is taken out from under my fingertips.  We head up the PCH for the two hour drive to San Francisco and Emeryville, where we will attempt to break Maddie into the Pixar studios (since they offer no tours to the public).  Our flight leaves tonight, but we will squeeze in a couple of San Fran highlights before turning in the convertible.  A few more photos before I go...

Maddie gets a closer look at the barking sea lions resting on "Bird Rock"

The famed lone cypress - one of the most photographed spots in California

Daniel finds more rocks to climb!

Maddie gets a bit closer to two of the six deer that were just hanging out in this empty lot between two residences in Pebble Beach.