Off for a week starting today. Not sure what we can do. Was thinking of renting a car and driving to Vegas (my own car is 11 years old and a breakdown far away from home would be very costly). Hertz has some great deals on a Focus for less then 200 for a whole week.
However, having trouble getting someone to stay at our apt and keep Whopper company
May have to just do a few overniters. Maybe do an overniter in Santa Cruz? Summer is pretty much here and the boardwalk could be interesting for her.
Maybe an overniter in Monterey would be nice. I always like that seaside town bout 3 hours drive away. We have been there briefly but maybe this time take in the Aquarium.
Scenic drive along the coast on Highway 1. Bear in mind though that the scenery is really only from Pacifica until Santa Cruz. The stretch from Santa Cruz to MOnterey is not all that scenic.
And then from Monterey onwards down to Big Sur and on south is quite nice, although I haven’t done that since probably 2001.
Maybe a drive up north on Highway 1 to Mendocino? Did that once years ago. Stayed at the small inn called the White House if i remember correctly. Apparently Julia Roberts did a movie filmed there.
Mendocino, I just love the name ! But somehow that little place by the ocean had a slightly strange feel to it. At least my trip out there that time. Just felt kind of haunted if that is the word. Staying in that hotel with the Period rooms. I don’t know how to describe the feeling. Felt “empty”, slightly “sinister” . In a Hitchcock, the Birds, kind of way. It wasn’t a Napa kind of feel.
Apparently James Dean made a few movies there or died there in a Porsche crash or something. Someone fill us in here, I can’t be bothered to google .
The drive up and down on Highway 1 back then, was kind of desolate. Hardly any vehicles went that way, on the narrow , barely 2 lane , winding coastal road. Apparently a few peeps had fallen over the edge, so one must pay attention.
We did one of those package deals to Reno last week. Got a coupon for 50 bucks which gets you two nites at the Peppermill (only pay 79 extra for two nites at the tower with a jacuzzi inroom, whata deal) and get 100 bucks back in the form of restaurant credit. A steal really.
Peppermill is the best hotel in Reno. It has three nice outdoor pools that are heated year round so its great for a swim. Rooms are well appointed. Inroom jacuzzi and one can watch tv .
Wanted to use their sauna but it was a ridiculous 60/person to enter their solarium/sauna facility.
Spent the 100 bucks credit at their best restaurant , the Bimini Steakhouse. Being very careful with the menu got us out with 98 bucks , including a 16 dollar tip.
I had a fantastic six oz filet, she had the atlantic salmon. Both were very very good indeed.
She had a salad and i refrained from any soup or salad, knowing my entree will be very filling.
peppermillreno.com/dining/fi … steakhouse
4 dollars for my coffee with a tray of rock candy and cookies was actually CHEAP ! She had a very nice tea for similar price, sans biscuits.
Did their buffet. The Island Buffet was better then most. Usually buffet food is prepared by assistant chefs and this one seemed to actually have dishes that were as good as individual orders.
20/a head buffet for dinner was par for the course .
IF not for these coupons I don’t think I’d ever really go to REno. It is billed as “the world’s biggest little city”. Don’t know what that really means. It is sleepy as hell. And kinda boring really.
NO big acts do Reno. So its a very very small little bro to Vegas. Sort of like Sanchong compared to the Taipei 101 area.
Vegas is much more fun. But if you live in the Bay Area and you have one of these coupons? Its a steal.
Also met up with a dude for a beer and pizza at my fav brewery in Berkeley. A fellow that she met in Jakarta once who works for the Aussie Govt. They must pay very well because he is using up his 2 months annual leave (2 months, incredible, i get only two weeks) visiting the USa and Canada with his wife.
They are renting a car for a month and driving all over the place from VAncouver down to Vegas , up to Yellowstone and up further in the Rockies to Banff. And all that. With flights and all I reckon the trip is easily going to cost him 10 grand, if frugal . Taking in a cruise up to Alaska as well. The lucky stiff ! Sounds like a great adventure !