This was our first trip of any distance and now that we are home I realize it was really several trips combined. I also know that you probably don’t want to hear about EVERYTING we did so I’ve given you the option of reading about whatever you think might interest you – if anything. The links below will take you to descriptions (and photos) of the various places and events of this trip.
The places we parked the RV and “camped”.
Placing my parents in their final resting place.
Wilson Andrews Family reunion – Jul 21, 2014.
Pt. Lobos and the Monterey Peninsula.
Mariposa Redwood Grove
The places we parked the RV and “camped”.
2014 Monterey Trip
At right is a small map of the route we choose for this trip. Our first stop was in Oregon at the Rivers West RV Park in Myrtle Beach. Simple accommodations. I was really looking forward to parking the RV right next to the river. Although we were “right next to the river”, there was a huge line of bushes so we could barely see it – let alone go down to it. Never the less, it was the first stop and we got in and out without problem. The adventure had begun in earnest.
Next stop was our week long stay in Monterey. We parked the RV in the Monterey Pines RV Park – a military campground on the grounds of the Monterey Pines Golf Course. Although all the campers were active duty or retired military, the rest of the place was no different than others. The parking pad we got was far from level, but the biggest drawback was the fact that their internet access was down. The WiFi network in the campground worked fine but it wasn’t attached to the internet, making it totally useless. After several conversations with the manager (pointless), I left them a really bad review even though we stayed an extra night because we didn’t have a place to stay on the 25th. Did I mention that while setting up all the stops I noticed that our reservation here was from through the 25th, so I booked our next stop for the 26th – not realizing that the 25th was our departure date, meaning I needed a place for that night. Oops! We just extended our stay and spent a couple of days in Castro Valley with grandson Colton.
Following the Monterey stay was the Fairgrounds RV Park at Mariposa. A big grassy field with electrical and water connections on the perimeter. Simple, no frills and cheap. And we picked a spot near the WiFi transmitter so we had good internet for those two days.
Coming home was just three days of driving and two quick stops at JGW RV Park in Redding where we were next to the Sacramento River and at Roamers Rest RV Park in Tualatin where we were next to the Tualatin River. Both were very nice, but JGW in Redding was the best we have been to so far.
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Placing my parents in their final resting place.
Grave Markers in El Carmelo Cemetery
Mom and Dads remains rode down with us in the RV and were turned over to the City of Pacific Grove along with their grave markers on Wednesday the 18th. At 2:00 pm on Saturday the 21st we gathered to bid final farewell where the remains and markers had been placed by the City. The El Carmelo cemetery in Pacific Grove is where they wished to be inurned.
Long time friends
Several friends attended from their Church in Carmel Valley and from the Mayflower Church in Pacific Grove. The fact that so many friends remain from as much as 25 years earlier speaks to the impact those two had on other people and their lives. They will be truly missed!
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Wilson Andrews Family reunion – Jul 21, 2010
The inurnment gave us a perfect opportunity to gather the Wilson Andrews family together for the first annual (?) reunion! Nearly all of the Wilson and Elsie descendants were gathered on the Monterey Peninsula to celebrate their lives and say goodbye and to reminisce. Don and Susan both managed to get their entire family there. It’s a long trip from Florida and Arizona for my kids (Mike and Kris) and Donnas son, Tyson, was stuck in the Wyoming. We took some typical family photos at El Carmelo and spent the rest of the day in typical Andrews tradition – eating and telling stories!
Pt. Lobos and the Monterey Peninsula.
It seems like Point Lobos State Park is a favorite spot for many of us, so a day in the park was something we really wanted to do. It has been decades since our Colorado contingent had been there, and some of the younger family members were on their first visit. A bit of fog did not manage to deter our enthusiasm and Tim Wormus battled the to-go lines at a local restaurant to provide us lunch. Although Pt. Lobos is still a beautiful place they are losing the battle against poison oak! Linda was careful and luckily did not get exposed. She often just gets it by walking past on of those nasty things.
While visiting the peninsula we managed to stop at Michaels a total of three times for our Blackened Chicken Tacos. Two trips with our good friend June and one with my sister, Donna. We laugh when we realize that we judge a vacation by how many great places to eat we find. This was a short visit to the Peninsula so we missed some of our favorites. For example, the calamari steak with lemon caper sauce at the Fish Wife in Seaside is legendary (in our minds), and may be worth another trip there. And we were remiss in not enjoying the Chapino at Phil’s Fish House in Moss Landing – MMMmmm!
[Slide show of Pt Lobos coming soon]
Mariposa Redwood Grove
