Passport Application Sent!

I haven't left the country since I was 5.  I have no plans to travel any time soon but if the opportunity wants to present itself I definitely want to be in the position to be ready.

I don't know if you guys know this but it could take 4-6 weeks from the time an application is submitted for your passport to arrive.  Assuming you'd want to pay the minimum cost that is.

Standard processing time cost me $165 for a Passport book and card.  I guess technically one does not need a passport card but I rather have both just in case. A passport book is good for travel by air, land, or sea whereas the passport card is only valid for seaports and land border crossings.

So... now I wait.  I'm glad I got it started any way. That is one less thing I'd have to worry about.

Seeking a beautiful place in California.

Our second anniversary is coming up in a couple of months and my husband and I are trying to plan for it.  Our schedule is not that free where we can take a whole week off like we did for our honeymoon so we have to stay close to the northern part of California.  We've already been to San Francisco so we're wanting to do something different (although I think that is our back up plan if we don't figure out something else).

Here are some of our ideas but feel free to get in touch if you can think of anything else!

• Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
• Lake Tahoe
• Lassen Volcanic National Park
• Point Reyes National Seashore

Beautiful Monterey, California

Monterey is such a beautiful city.  There was a gray overcast all day today however I couldn't help but still admire the surroundings.  I've lived here for for almost two months now and I can't help but still feel like a tourist.  There is definitely a lot of history in this city I'm taking my time with learning them all. John Steinbeck - famous American writer known for his works such as Of Mice and Men, Cannery Row, and many other titles lived in this area including Pacific Grove, Salinas, and Monterey.

I still have yet to master the art of parallel parking.  It amazes me how fearless some people can when parallel parking.  There can be literally be three cars behind them but they have no issues with pressing on the breaks and reversing into the empty spot.   In downtown Monterey you'd be lucky if you can secure one of the 1 hour parking spaces sometimes even luckier if you can score a 90 minute one!  I still find myself aiming for one of the 2 hour parking spots because:
a) They usually don't require me to reverse into a parking spot.
b) If I do want to parallel park there usually aren't any traffic on those sides of the streets so I can do and take my time.
c) The extra walk allows me to see more of the city!

My husband and I parked our car near the Art Museum decorated with large sculptures in its vicinity.  We walked down to Fisherman's Wharf and ate breakfast at a small but busy establishment called Crêpes of Brittany. We shared a fabulous savory crêpe which featured brie, salmon, and mushrooms.  Unfortunately we devoured the dish alongside our coffee before I could even take a picture of the dish! It was delicious!  The way I see Monterey... it's like a mini San Francisco.  It's not as crowded yet the feel of it is very close to San Francisco particularly in the Fisherman's Wharf area. 

Quick Road Trip Tips

This weekend we tackled a five hour road trip to Simi Valley.  We've done long trips before such as from Dallas to Boston and Dallas to New Orleans.  So from Monterey to Simi Valley we really thought the 4 hours and 58 minutes (according to my Blackberry's built in GPS Map App) was going to be a breeze.  Long story short there are some things that I would have changed which we learned quickly from and applied it to our trip back. So articles out there tell you the big things like secure home and belongings for when you're away, call your credit card companies so your purchases aren't flagged, etc but what most articles don't tell you are the little things you might overlook.

Sharon's Quick Road Trip Tips

1. Check your check listDo not leave the OBVIOUS things off of your list because there is a chance you'd forget them. For me, it was dog food and my hair brush. Check your checklist make sure everything is on there even the obvious items -better safe than sorry!
2. Have a full tank before departure
   So you think since driving mostly on the highway there are plenty of gas stations on the way. This may be your mentality when you've got a half full tank - ignore that voice in your head and fill it up anyway!  There is nothing more annoying and nerve wracking driving on a long stretch of road with no signs of civilization with that darn indicator screaming at you because it's touching the letter E.  If you don't know what I'm talking about you don't drive your car or you're just too awesome that you have never put yourself in a position to worry about an empty tank.
3. Pack snacks & Water
   We could have saved about $50 on quick splurges on the road if we had just eaten before we left and packed snacks and had plenty of water.  My husband grabbed 4 cans of coconut water and on my shift alone of 2 and half hours of driving we finished 3 of them and I was dying for water!
4. Have your playlists ready
   It is actually quite frustrating channel surfing as you are trying to maneuver around drivers who do not understand the concept of "Slower Traffic Move to the Right."  ...and what the heck is up with drivers passing you only to slow down in front of you?   On the way back the hubby and I came to a compromise I let him listen to his news and talk radio while he is driving and he let me rock out to my Backstreet Boys playlist.
   
   
   The drive back was a heck of a lot easier with food in our stomachs and the sun shining bright. =)

Visting Big Sur

Last weekend my husband and decided to take a drive down to Big Sur.  I've never been there and the place had apparently left an impression on him 3 years ago.  After visiting I can now see why.  Big Sur is BEAUTIFUL.  Evidently the name Big Sur derived from Spanish "el sur grande" which means "the big south."

Big Sur, California March 2015

If you're in the area I recommend visiting for the sight seeing but I do encourage you to pack your lunch because the prices at the restaurants nearby is not exactly your average Jack-in-the-Box or Taco Bell.  We shared a buffalo chicken sandwich, potato chips, and a pickle and that was already $11 before tax. I do have to hand it to the Big Sur Taphouse the sandwich was really good and the staff were very friendly.  I took several pictures while we were there but this one I have featured in this article is my favorite.