Pebble Beach, California

Pebble Beach, a golfers paradise, famous even among non-golfers. Seen by many of us when watching The US Open on our TV's. A scene of wind swept sand, waves crashing the beach along side a lush green golf course comes to mind. Pebble Beach in Montery County on the Monterey Peninsula is a gated community about 40 miles north of Big Sur.

If you wondered about how the affluent live behind those gates communities, take the 17 mile sometimes scenic Pebble Beach Tour. A fee of $9.50 per car is charged to take this tour. Sometimes you get a glimpse of an elaborate house, though often they are completely out of sight due to large stone walls, or privacy landscaping. Sometimes you see a scenic view of the beach and ocean as you wind your way along. Here you see seals dotting the beach landscape, a house barely visible up in the trees.
The US open has been held here in 1972,1982,1992, 2000 and is scheduled again in 2010.
The famous Ben Crosby Clambake tournament began here in 1937 and continues today, though now named AT & T National Pro-Am. The property was once owned by DelMonte, was sold to a Japanese businessman, then purchased again by a group of investors lead by Clint Eastwood and Arnold Palmer to name a few. No surprise then to learn there are 7 public golf courses, and 18 Private Golf Clubs.

The lone cypress tree, twisted and bent withstanding the strong winds, salt air has become the symbol for the city. This is perhaps one of the most photographed trees around.

Take a stroll on the boardwalk, stop for a picnic and enjoy the view. We didn't stop for a picnic, I think these pictures tell you why.



Should add for all my furry friends, those traveling with furry friends, and or children. Look at all places to walk and explore along the beach.

Russia

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Business travelers, families, as well friends traveling in groups will find a range of affordable, cozy and relaxed accommodations ranging from small studio's to 1-2-3-4 and even 5 bedroom deluxe apartments. Short and long term rentals with cleaning service every 3-4 days available for your comfort.
Spend the day touring galleries, cathedrals, museums. Ride the metro, take a tour on the water, visit The Peter The Great Memorial, Victory Park, St. Basils Cathedral, Red Square. Photograph the spires and domes in all their colorful splendor and opulence. These are sites you'll see anywhere else. Traveling with children, don't despair zoo's, parks, and circus's will entertain the young or the young at heart. Perhaps you don't speak Russian and feel a bit intimated? Ask for a personal driver, an interrupter the agency can help with all your needs with their 24 hour a day customer service. Tool free phone numbers, as well as on line support are available for your ease in planning your excursion. While many areas require cash only payments, Welcome to Russia offers secure on line payments through your Visa, Master Card, American Express and Discover Card. Additional services available are transportation from the airport to your apartment and back, body guard, a personal cook, and assistance with obtaining your travel Visa.
Avoid the extra expense and book your apartment, you'll be glad you did.

Richmond, Virginia

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The American Civil War Center is located at The Historic Tredegar Iron Works at 490 Tredegar Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. Truly this is in downtown Richmond, from the center you can see the downtown skyscrapers. The sign welcoming you to The American Civil War Center is on a large Arch from one of the original buildings. "To Bind up the Nations Wounds" Stature seems most appropriate. The museum shows 3 different perspectives of the cause and effective of The Civil War. Three vastly different perspectives are that of The Union, The Confederate, and The African American. The center is open 9-5 daily except special holidays. Entrance fees are $8.00 for adults, $6.00 for students and seniors, and reduced to $2.00 for children; with those younger than 6 free. Tredegar Iron Works was founded in 1836 and named after a Welsh town.



In 1847 it was producing cannons for The US Government and armor plates for The Navy. The Foundry produced many other things such as trains, locamotives, wheels, spikes and more. Pictured above are Cupola's from The Virginia State Penitentiary, and a 12 pound Mountain Howitzer manufactured in 1862. The foundry produced items for The Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, and The Korean War.

Situated on the James River in downtown Richmond it operated on water power. It employed a huge number of employees, 5 of the original buildings still stand. This is a National Historic Landmark, owned and operated by The National Parks. A visitors center, expansive museum, and gift shop are among the many things here to enjoy.

I highly recommend this as a must stop for people of all ages, even those who aren't history enthusiast. The area is quite pretty, a good place for the kids to run off some energy. Picnic areas exist, so take a break and relax.

Other Virginia Posts:
Ford's Colony, Williamsburg
University of Virginia

Big Sur, California, Forest Fires

This picture has not been doctored to appear yellow, the yellow shows you our proximity to the Forest Fires that ravaged much of California last summer. Some of the areas we had planned to travel to were off limits. Some areas were smoky, some were yellow from the flames, some streets and cars had ash from fires, carried sometimes for miles. This pretty but very eerie scene was around Big Sur. We traveled quite a ways, only to find out we couldn't get throw and had turn around and head back. We were then able to approach some of the area the next morning from the other side.
The sun did come out a few times, tried hard to burn away the smoke, fog, smog etc, but was unable to. This is one of the few times we actually saw the sun. We passed a staging area for the fireman, a fire camp loaded with equipment before we had to turn around.
We spotted planes that were making drops of chemicals and water on the fires in several locations. Normally Big Sur is crowded is with fisherman, hikers, campers, as well as those that come to shop, eat in the many lodges. A beautiful area in the central California Coast area bordering the Santa Lucia Mountain Range.

Bixby Bridge, about 13 miles south of Carmel, one of the worlds tallest single span bridges is also one of the most photographed. You can see why.
Big Sur Light Station...hard to see I know but it's there way way on top of this large outcropping. We were looking at this from the main road. Off to the left is a narrow rode leading up, though it it was not open to visitors during this time. It is possible to tour this lighthouse with advanced reservations. It's listed as one of the top 10 haunted lighthouses in the US, is registered as a National Historic Landmark. Limited numbers are permitted to tour the facility in this ghost town. The light station was opened in 1899 and the last keeper left in 1974, when it became automated. Parts of the park area in Big Sur were closed, other parts had signs suggesting volunteer evacuation, and no one new was permitted in. Shortly after we existed the park, it was closed due to the fire.