California...Travel Day

11-6-2011
My day started at 2:30am EST (or 11:30pm,yesterday PST). I was up, in the shower and loaded up in the car by 3:00am.
An hour later I found my way to Triad International Airport (better known as GSO). Once I parked my car a pickup shuttle was right there to get me (I noticed that there were no other passengers...man I was early!)
Luckily the ticket counter opened at 4:15am and I quickly dropped off my luggage and soon found myself waiting for security to open (which ending up being another 20 minutes for so before they opened.)
So I was the first person through security and rather easily (I used to travel allot and know exactly what they expect.) and soon found myself sitting in front of my gate, waiting.
Of course at this time nothing was open food wise so I waited. Luckily Duncan Donuts opened at 5:30am (my flight was at 6:00am) so I went and grabbed a coffee and went back to the gate to wait.
Soon I was on the flight (which was sold out) and we were on our way.
I had one stop over at Detroit (and of course the gate I landed at was the farthest away from the gate I needed to be at (typical).
But within an hour I was back up in the air, this time with no one sitting next to me :) 
The flights were smooth, and all we had was a little turbulence over the Rocky Mountains.
We made good time and landed 15 minutes early at SFO.
Which was eaten up by me being in the back of the plane with a bunch of SLOW people in front of me. SOoooo it took 15 minutes to get off the plane. But I didnt mind, I was back on Cali!
I went and got my Car Rental (which ending up being a red Ford Focus with a Sunroof.

So it looked like it was going to be a beautiful day with highs in the upper 50s. 
I meandered my way towards the Pacific Ocean as my chosen route to get to Carmel was taking Hwy 1 from Pacifica to Carmel. Passing through Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, Seaside, Monterey and finally into Carmel.
So as i crested HWY 280 I fond myself staring once again at the Pacific Ocean.

So I headed South along the shore. Since it was now past noon PST (with my body saying it was just past 3:00pm) I needed to eat since all I had eaten today was coffee and some Monkey Bread my wife made for me for my birthday. I ended up at Safeway Grocery Store in Pacific standing at the Deli counter. I was amazed at all the great sandwiches they had and marveled at how Californian they were in composition. I ended up getting a Tuscan Chicken Sandwich on a Garlic Bread (nice and crusty)
This Sandwich had grilled chicken, marinated Mozzarella Cheese, Artichoke hearts with a Aloi Sauce and Lettuce and Tomatoes.
So I drove down the coast just a bit to Half Moon Bay and found a good parking lot over looking the Ocean. Time to eat with the windows down and salty sea air in my nose.

I stopped a couple of time on the way down to snap some scenic photos.

 As I headed downcoast I passed through Santa Cruz (bunch of Hippies there) and South through Capitola.
Much to my surprise off in the distance I saw what looked like rain clouds. Now this area of California never gets alot of rain and I can not remember the last time I was here and it did rain.
Soon, drops started hitting the windshield and a good pour was apon me.
The another thing happened, I saw my first California Rainbow in a very long time. Hopefully this means good things to come.

 Down past Moss Landing I went...pass the Roadside fruit stands with Artichokes 10/$1 (they are like 3$ each in NC.

and then finally past Seaside, Monterey and down the hill towards Carmel I went!
Total elapsed time from when i got up from start to finish was 16 and a half hours!
I arrived at my Parents house as was greeted by Mom, Dad and their new cat Sammy!

Tomorrow....pictures of the house and a 3 hour hike into Point Lobos State Reserve!


Cheers!