Category: CA

April 17, 2016: Monterey, Biking and Orchidelirium

4/17/2016

Tanya's Daily Scoop
CURRENTLY TRAVELING IN: MONTEREY, CA

Another Day in Monterey

What a day! What a fabulous fabulous day!
And what an amazingly beautiful bike ride!

GREETINGS from Monterey, CA

Dave and I came up here for the Sea Otter Classic and participated in the Gran Fondo Coastal Ride.
And let me tell you just how beautiful this ride was.

While I've rode in America's Most Beautiful Ride around the crystal blue waters of Lake Tahoe, this ride was so varied and just so darn beautiful!

I can't say it enough. lol

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Not to say that it wasn't a workout and that there weren't cut off times that you had to meet, otherwise you wouldn't be allowed to finish the ride and go through the finish line for your metal...
and it's super cute with a sea otter on it!

Plus the end was a killer climb - okay maybe not so much a killer climb, but it was a CAT4 (category 4) and it was after already pedaling almost 50 miles (the ride in total was 51 miles).

There was also one part that was rather disheartening - ya see the traffic getting to the Laguna Seca Raceway was quite miserable - even at 6:30am.

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So by the time they parked us and we picked up our registration packet, it was already past the start time of 7:30am. UGH

We rushed, the best we could and still started 17 minutes late.
Yup the group for our ride were already well on their way and we pretty much had the race track to ourselves!

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It was actually rather nice. Because what usually happens at the start of a race/ride is nothing but a bunch of congestion and you can barely move.

But then at around the 18 mile mark after we had already rode past Fort Ord State Park, had to walk past much sand in the trail at Fort Ord Dunes, and pedaled through several other scenic areas, we started to see the front runners (cyclists) already making their way back. WTH?!

That was just rather disheartening for me.

But I got over it pretty fast, as the scenery definitely made up for it, and I took lots and lots of pictures - just like I promised!

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We rode past Fisherman's Wharf, and through downtown Monterey, then down and back up the coast of Pacific Grove and it was all just so picturesque!

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We had our own pack of riders - which is what generally happens on these rides, and we kept bumping into a woman from Brazil who at one point earlier we had asked to take a picture for us.

Anyhow she arrived at the turn-around point just around the time that we were about to start heading in the opposite direction and she was feeling the burn.
She had suggested that her and I sit by the beach, grab a drink and let the guys (Dave and her husband) come back for us later - after the ride.

I politely declined the offer explaining how I have to finish the ride for you guys!
I could never write you today telling you that I gave up! I'm not that type of gal. I have perseverance and I don't give up!

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Now something you should know, ever since seeing the climbing graph for this ride - I had been dreading the last hill (which later on found out was the second to last hill - the last hill isn't on the graph).

So on the way back once we past all the amazing and gorgeous scenery and it was time to go through the old barracks - I started going quite slow. I was pretty much DONE.

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This happens every time there is something that I don't want to do...
It wasn't that I was tired, I could've gone to the gym, I could've done another physical activity - but I just didn't want to pedal and climb that hill.

We were in the middle of the pack (all riders) and far from last place. There were those who were walking their bikes through tough spots. I refused to walk (except for through the sand). And yet I would stare at the top of the hill and dread.
Then I'd huff and puff and pedal until I found some shade and take a minute or so to allow my legs to regain strength.

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At one point another cyclist had pedaled past me commenting that he thinks I'm the strongest of the pack. I don't know how that could be possible, but it was nice to hear.

Then as the time got closer to the start of another race, the sweeper came along and told us that we only had 15 minutes to get to past their start line!

We pretty much had made it by the skin of our teeth.
But what about all the rest??? No one else was allowed to finish.
And yet I felt kinda cheated - because now it appeared to everyone at the finish, that we were the last to finish the ride.

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When if fact all the others behind us weren't even allowed to finish!

Next up, we of course went to go get lunch! And damn was it GOOD!!!

Remember that veggie burger that had been recommended for me to try...
As a reminder - I'm not much of a burger fan - but HOLY SMOKES it was sooooo damn good!

I think Elisa and I might have to do some side by side comparisons with the "World Famous" burger she ate at the Green Expo and this one.
Because unless the one she had gives you a FOODGASM - mine has got to win!

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After lunch, we went to Fisherman's Wharf - we attempted to get the vegan ice cream sandwich that was gonna be our after race treat and guess what - they were SOLD OUT! Boo

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The remainder of the afternoon/evening was on the mellow side. Once back at the hotel, we had noticed a sunburn in a few random places...
Dave's burn line was most dramatic!

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And today we are off to have another awesome day here in Monterey! So many things to see and do. and so many pictures to take.

I'll meet you back here tomorrow and we can catch up then :)

Toodles,
-T

Elisa's Daily Scoop
CURRENTLY VISITING: NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDENS ORCHID SHOW

A Visit to the Bronx and the NY Botanical Gardens

Happy Sunday and Greetings from The Bronx!

This has been one glorious weather weekend and the perfect day to be outside!

Today, I'll be visiting The New York Botanical Gardens on the last and final day of the 14th Annual Orchid Show: Orchidelirium.

Boy am I glad I didn't even attempt to go last week when I was originally scheduled to attend -- it was a horribly gray, rainy day.

But, today is just perfect. And best of all, I'll be making the visit with my two favorite girlies and my Aunt Ro.

Before I get into the day ahead, let me tell you what a relaxing day we had yesterday.

The fact that I didn't have to get up super early to drive out the barn was truly a godsend. With the sun shining in through the window and the breeze gently blowing, it was pure delight knowing I could continue to lay there comfortably with no place in particular to be.

When I eventually got up, I started the day with making eggs and french toast for the girls and then headed off to the grocery store to do some weekend food shopping.

Meanwhile, Gianna was getting things ready to bake a chocolate cake. She needed a few ingredients, which I was picking up.

Kelsey's job was to film Gianna for her YouTube channel as she created one of her dessert masterpieces.

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I could not wait to taste the deliciousness and utterly enjoyed every morsel of her chocolatey goodness!

The rest of my day included a delightful 2-mile walk around the neighborhood taking in the fresh air and admiring the blooming flowers. It was a wonderful day overall.

While I was walking and relaxing, Tanya was pedaling away in Monterey at the Sea Otter Classic, which I know you will totally enjoy reading about in her blog!!

Back to today...

As a tri-state travelin' cousin, I was thrilled to receive my new EZ PASS in the mail this week! So, I'll be christening it today when I drive over the Triborough Bridge to the Bronx.

I'll be noting a few dates on my calendar later today as I plan to return to The Gardens for a few of the upcoming exhibits:

April 23 & 24, 2016
Daffodil Celebration and Wine Weekend
More Flowers to see!! 150,000 daffodil bulbs—planted in November 2015 to bloom alongside the historic daffodil display at Daffodil Hill.

June 4 & 5, 2016
Rose Garden Weekend
The Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden will be the sight of two days of live music, plant care demonstrations and tours with expert rosarians. Refreshments will also be served!

Following our orchid enjoyment we'll be heading over to Arthur Avenue for a memorable Italian meal at Dominic's! I'll be taking a plethora of pictures all day for posting tomorrow!!

When attending Fordham University, this was one of my favorite places to eat. Delicious food, home-style, family atmosphere - a true icon of Arthur Avenue.

All the cousins had a family dinner together - (click link above for full story) with plates of scrumptious food!