Day 2, my toothbrush and I have made it to Monterey

So, after a day of driving down the "Great Highway" through Ocean Beach along the Preserve just south of San Fran, stopping at the little stretches of beach whose names don't even appear on the map, walking the boardwalk in Santa Cruz and thinking "This can't even touch the Jersey Shore," (meaning the Jersey Shore rocks my world
: ))," I have landed in Monterey!

I happened to pick up the Monterey Land and See (creative, I like the play on words), and I have decided to hit up the Aquarium tomorrow! After all, Travel + Leisure magazine did proclaim it one of the top "10 places to see before you're 10." So I lived a somewhat deprived childhood, alright? Not really, I just lived it up on the other coast. I've been to the Baltimore Aquarium, but I guess fish and sharks just don't get old?

Land and See also recommends not missing Point Lobos State Reserve, and I'd like to check out the boutiques in Carmel as well as the Carmel Mission Basilica tomorrow. There is also something on the map that is labelled Hearst Castle.... I'm wondering if this might be my next real estate purchase? Speaking of which, somewhere between SF and Monterey, I passed this run-down, dilapidated can't-even-call-it-a-house structure, and I thought to myself.... "I wonder how many millions could they get for that plot of land?" So needless to say, I have a LOT to do tomorrow, and by the evening hope to end up in San Louis Obispo, or maybe Santa Barbara- don't know, don't really care, that's the whole beauty of the trip!!!

So today I spent the day with my old friend Garth, Garth Brooks, and perhaps tomorrow it will be Sarah McLaughlin who accompanies me down what may yet be the most beautiful stretch of coast. I am so excited. Have I mentioned that I really needed this roadtrip? It's doing wonders for my soul. How fitting that it should happen over Easter Break.

So for those of you snickering upon reading Day 1's blog and my choice of country music to cruise up the 5 with, I totally defend my music choice and hereby do openly declare that I am in love with Clint Black's "Something that we do." How beautiful is this line:
"We're on a road that has no end
And each day we begin again
Love's not just something that we're in
It's something that we do"
Just proof that the inner romantic in me, locked away for so long, has re-surfaced and is fighting to be seen and heard.

Last but not least I must make a shout-out to Hostelling International, both in Fisherman's Wharf SF and in Monterey.... love the under $30 a night stay that includes breakfast and parking!!!

Let's just say that America's roads will be seeing more of me.

Day 1, Great success!

The inspiration for the blog title comes from a travel book I saw in the bookstore when I was looking for a guidebook for my trip. It was called, Have dog Will Travel.
I knew that I couldn't bring Otis on this trip, though I knew he'd love sticking his head out the window and letting his golden hair blow in the wind, but maybe we'll take him to Yosemite next month.
ANYWAY, so Day 1 of my California Coast trip was a success. Ten and a half hours in my car, driving up the 5... couldn't have had a greater time. I LOVE DRIVING. I LOVE SINGING IN MY CAR AT THE TOP OF MY VOICE. I uncovered some Clint Black and Patsy Cline, reminisced with Crystal Gale (remember her???) and Dolly Parton and even Willie Nelson, and re-visited with old school Bryan Adams, Whitney Houston (before the divorce), and Lionel Richie. Yes, it was a great ride. I had a nice long chat with Susanne just as I passed LA and with my sister as I arrived in SF.
So I'm here in San Fran today, and will get my first live glimpse ever of the Golden Gate Bridge!!!

In a couple of hours, I'll head down the coast, probably stop in Santa Cruz tonight and then maybe Santa Barbara tomorrow night. Who knows. No plans. No reservations. Just me, my baby (read: 2005 Acura RSX), and the open road. The gypsy in me is alive and well.