Sep 28-30 - Jordan and Amanda Become One

Friends and family...I must say that sometimes you experience things that just can't be captured with words or pictures; you just had to be there. That's exactly what occurred this past weekend at Jordan and Amanda's wedding. I've never experienced anything like it before and probably never will again. I don't care how old or young they were, everyone there experienced love, devotion and marriage in its purest and most sincere form. Now the two continue their life's journey as pair-well-bonded.

Jordan and Amanda...we love you both...we thank you both for sharing the experience with us...and we wish for you nothing less than life's richest blessings.
Much love,
Dad and Liz

After hugging Jordan, Amanda and her family goodbye last night, we went back to our friendly neighborhood farmhouse in south Sonoma. Our VRBO hosts had a daughter who was into FFA. She raised not only a grand champion bull, but sheep and chickens. Perhaps, I'd forgotten what roosters enjoy doing at dawn's early light. I'm now well reminded. In fact, and on multiple occasions, Liz and I gave serious thought how much we might enjoy a hearty chicken dinner. Again, I digress. We crashed and burned exhausted from the weekend's emotional intensity. For some strange unknown reason, Rodney Rooster seemed to understand and gave us a break this morning. At least he waited until 7:00AM to commence with his infernal bellowing! Give me a break!!

After delivering Rodney his last rites, we packed and began our leisure, laid-back, casual drive through San Francisco and its benign byways brimming with mild-mannered, maniacal, motoring morons. It was a serenely perfect way for us to unwind as we began our trek home. Only five hours were required to travel 160 miles to our Monterrey destination. In all fairness we did travel a great portion of Skyline Blvd and stopped to "get anything we want at Alice's Restaurant." Yum...always a treat.

Like a couple of wind-up toys, you can expect Liz and I to perform the same thing almost every time we hit the California coast. One guarantee is a trip to (arguably, but almost certainly) the most serenely beautiful restaurant on planet earth - Rocky Point Restaurant. It's right on Highway 1 about 7-8 miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea and north of Big Sur. It's possibly the most scenic spot on the highway. Enough, already! So we always have to go there whenever we're within a couple hundred miles. Today was no exception.

Every table and seat in this amazing structure looks out over the rocky coastline.

Each evening huge stadium fixtures light up the rocky coast and surf...simply breathtaking!

I was introduced to this incredible place almost 40 years ago. I've taken friends and family here on multiple occasions. Every one of you reading this must go here before you die - no excuses!

There's both indoor and patio seating available...

...we just love the patio for lunch. Here's our corner table...romantic, huh?

Just in case you were wondering what Lizzy Love is looking at...

Each time we visit it seems to get more beautiful...

...the owners take immaculate care and make frequent, tasteful upgrades.

Mother Nature makes a pretty fair contribution, too!

The food is as amazing as the views. Fresh California fare and a menu to die for is the style offered here. Before, during or after your meal, you can stroll around the grounds and breathe in the sea air.

 I have to tell you a story about Jethro, "The Man." Believe it or not, he's quite a looker and catches some eyes; perhaps, even some eyes you'd rather he not catch. As we were leaving Carmel after buying some cheap gas (cough, choke, sputter), we were caught at a traffic signal. Beside us, a Carmel police officer pulls to a stop and we notice he's giving us a huge once over. Deciding not to look to shy or suspicious, I look over right into his steely blue eyes. He looks away as if he's re-reading Jethro's name emblazoned on the front quarter panel. Then he looks straight back at me. After nodding in the direction of Jethro's name, he breaks into an approving smile and raises his gun hand to give me a "thumbs-up!" It was all I could do to control Jethro...let alone Liz.

Jethro hangin' with the Harley dudes

Jethro, just bein' Jethro...

Stay tuned...