road trip - days 12 thru the end

micah and i stumbled out of bed (well, couch and floor if you want to be technical) bright and early the morning of the 31st and hit the amazingly foggy road south. it was a chilly 30 degrees out, so we had to scrape the windows first, but it made the morning's cup of coffee all the more enjoyable. once the fog burned off, it was an incredibly beautiful drive, and it really didn't feel very long at all.
at 7:42 pm we rolled into the risinger's house in salinas. we had sandwiches with heather and sat around and talked until bill and patti came home from a party. then we sat and watched the new year's show on television, toasted the new year, peeked outside at all the fireworks, and then went off to bed. i'm actually surprised i made it that late after the long day.

the next morning we got up late and watched the rose parade on the replay and did some more sitting around. (we like to do that on vacation) then at around 2 we decided to go on a walk. at one point we were something resembling lost, but then happily stumbled across this woodland path that goes between the houses and street and had a wonderful walk through the trees. we stopped for coffee and enjoyed sitting out in the warm sun. and then i noticed the most enormous leaf i think i've ever seen. i think it escaped from the jurassic period.

then bill and patti came by and picked us up and took us on a driving tour of the salinas area. we saw watsonville and gilroy and other little towns. it is just so beautiful there. we stopped at a vista point right at sunset and saw the most spectacular view of monterey bay.

then it was back to the house and homemade tamales and fudge cake (wow) and a few lively rounds of catch phrase (tip - always have heather on your team). it was a lovely and relaxing beginning to the new year.

so this morning we reluctantly left the risingers with heather back in the car and had an uneventful drive home. i've unpacked and it is starting to sink in that vacation is over and i have to go back to work tomorrow.
poop
thus ends the 'pacific northwest roadtrip extraveganza 2007'.