Joan was off on the Friday before Valentine's Day, which this year was on Saturday. I took the day off myself and we drove down to Monterey, about 110 miles south and west of Oakland. Here are some pictures we took on the trip. I tried to get some movies, but forgot one step in the setup process. All I ended up with for those attempts was a bunch of over-exposed stills of the sea. Ah well, next time ... We stayed at the Monterey Hilton, as all the hotel rooms closer to Cannery Row were filled. We kinda left it late this year. The Hilton was about 5 minutes drive from downtown anyway, and it wasn't a bad walk either.

A picture of me taken outside of a little park, across Fremont St., about 5 minutes walk from the hotel.

I've yet to get the name of this plant, but I thought it made a pretty picture, somewhat akin to rather thickly-leaved lettuce.

Water display of a wading bird - not sure if it's a whooping crane - in a small park along Fremont Street, about 15 minute walk from the hotel.

A profile of the same wading bird.

I thought the profusion of color was too good to pass up. A sidewalk plantpot just in front of RiteAid on Munras St. in downtown Monterey.

Monterey State Historic Park building, a complex of historic buildings that reflect the area's maritime past.

Picture of the Monterey Bay marina, just off of Fisherman's Wharf, under threatening gray skies. It did eventually rain a couple of times while we were there, but it wasn't heavy or prolonged.

Shot of the old customs house in Monterey. Just off of Fisherman's Wharf, it is now a museum. There was a room upstairs and to the right where the guards slept. Ships often stopped at outlying islands to offload cargo before sailing in, declaring their cargo, then picking up the remainder. All in an attempt to cheat the state out of custome dues.

Guess I was on a floral kick or something, but couldn't pass this display. Again, I've no clue what is the plant's name.

A shot of the inside of the old customs house, with simulated trade goods on display. There are skins in the right foreground, assorted hardware in the left foreground and various foodstuff in barrels on the right in the middle.

Display case showing the evolution of the customs house and other structures in the historic park.

A picture of the old Harbor House, which is now a store offering maritime trinkets. The lighthouse is actually a part of the same building.

Picture looking across Monterey Bay towards Sand City and points north.

Picture of the beach at Point Lobos State Park, about 25 miles south of Monterey. It's a really big park, part of the Big Sur recreation area. It's really spectacular; the camera - and my photographic skills - really don't do it justice.

Waves crashing against the shore as we traverse the 17-mile drive.

Lone gull resting on the edge of the ocean. The area was off-limits, or I'd have tried to get closer.

Another tidepool shot.

Shot of a couple of tide pools with the restless ocean about to make another incursion.

Picture from the roadway of the 17-mile drive of the symbol of the Pebble Beach golf course, the lone cypress. You can see a stylized image of it at http://www.pebblebeach.com

Last picture, another shot of the Lone Cypress at Pebble Beach.