Day 54 – Moss Landing, CA

Don told me this morning that this was our last day before heading for home, and that we were going to pack as much into it as we could.  Wow, was he ever right!  Even a major surprise that none of us knew about, except him.  Don and I started out with a nice walk around the harbor; I like the smell of the ocean, though I’m not inclined to plunge into it like Buddy was.  I particularly like watching the sea birds, they really are pretty and frequently entertaining.  When we were coming back into the Park, a nice Asian couple asked Don if he would take their picture with their camera, the two of them and their little floppy moppy dog; he said he’s be glad to, and I offered to pose with them so that they could have a real dog in their shot, but they declined.  I got some nice pets out of it, though. 

After I got an early lunch, we piled into the truck and headed down to Monterey, a very historic and picturesque town.  We’ve been there quite a few times, but we always enjoy visiting there.  Today, we toured the old Fisherman’s Wharf, which is a mix of seafood restaurants and touristy shops, very colorful and fun.  Geri found a couple of coats which were on sale at bargain prices, and was pleased to get them.  I got a lot of attention from people on the wharf, and many compliments on my good manners and good looks. Don was happy to get a smoked salmon sandwich.

Lonesome Pelican

Back in the truck, we drove through Cannery Row to see what was new, then down along the coast through Pacific Grove and Asilomar, watching the waves crash against the rocks along the shore.  We wound up in Carmel, at the San Carlos de Borromeo Mission, the burial place of Father Junipero Serra, who was the driving force in founding the California Missions.  As a matter of interest, Don tells me that the last Mission that Father Serra founded was our own hometown Mission, San Buenaventura.  I had to stay in the truck while they visited the Mission, but that was OK, ‘cause I needed some nap time.  When they returned, they told me that the Mission was even more beautiful than they remembered it, with lovely gardens and interesting displays about the history of the place.  While they were there, they met a couple from Portland, OR, and had a fun conversation with them.  They also were RVing, and were staying at the Elks Club RV Park in Monterey.  They said it was really inexpensive, and had great facilities. 

This is a beauty!

View from the courtyard

The Serra Cenotaph

We got onto Highway 1 and headed back north to Moss Landing, where we made a stop at the big open air produce market there.  Geri and Don bought a bunch of veggies to take home with them, including some artichokes, which they love.  Back at the rig, Geri took me out for a very pleasant walk, then made my dinner when we got back home.  They took off to have their dinner at a Mexican restaurant that they’re very fond of.  A couple of hours later, Don showed up at the coach, and told me to get into the truck; I was a little hesitant at first, ‘cause I usually don’t go out this late at night.  But he convinced me that I should go with him, and we cruised over to the restaurant where they had their dinner.  When he let me out, I was stunned!  The first person I saw was my old mentor and tormentor, Gary!  What was he doing here?  Then I saw David (Craig), who we had last met with in Sparks a couple of weeks ago!  What was going on?  I soon recognized Geri’s sister Carol and her husband Mikey, from New York, who I hadn’t seen in ages!  They were there with their friend Terry, to do some golfing around Monterey.  It turns out that Carol and Don had been working on this surprise party since before we left on the trip, and had sprung it perfectly.

Don told me that as they were leaving the Park to go to the restaurant, Geri’s phone rang, and it was a call from Carol.  She was asking where we were and what we were doing, and what the weather was like, while Don was pulling into the parking lot of The Whole Enchilada.  Geri was talking to Carol on the phone when Carol inadvertently stepped out from behind a fence to be in full view of Geri, who was in the truck.  Don says it was a surreal moment, whatever that means, both of them with their cell phones in hand, Geri staring at Carol, going, “Do you see that!  What is this?  What’s she doing here?”  Don says she was spluttering as she jumped out of the truck, and Carol was laughing her head off.  While they were hugging each other, who walks up with video camera in hand but Craig (David), causing another Geri paroxysm.  More hugging, more questions, and a denial from Don that he had anything to do with it and knew nothing at all.  Right.  So, they all go into the bar in back of the restaurant, and who’s sitting there but Gary, Mikey and Terry; more whooping and hollering.  At this point, Don says that he and Carol were congratulating each other on bringing off such a surprise.  They did this once before, on one of Geri’s birthdays, when they gathered a load of friends and family in Las Vegas to celebrate her birthday.  It was a very important birthday, ‘cause one of her presents was ME! 

Here's the whole gang!

They all had a wonderful dinner at The Whole Enchilada, lots of stories, lots of fun; I only wish I could have been under the table.  The Owner of the restaurant stopped by the table, found out that Geri was the guest of honor, and gave her a lottery ticket, with the understanding that they would be partners in any winnings.  When dinner was over, and Don came to pick me up, I think I was just as astonished to see all these people as Geri was!  I greeted everyone with genuine enthusiasm, and Carol gave me a really nice duck toy, with a honker in it.  Gary threw it for me, and I retrieved it, twice!  I really enjoyed getting to spend some time with these people who have always been so nice to me.  It was a great evening for everyone!

It was fun working with Don on the blog tonight, and I know that we just have one more edition to go this trip, a wrap-up on the whole voyage.  We’ll have that for you tomorrow night!  See you then!