Tues-feb 22nd

Hello everyone... another wonderful day here in CA. I was able to call into my classroom this afternoon to talk to the children.  That was very exciting to them and me too!!!

 My day started out in Pacific Grove, known as Butterfly Town USA.  Very cute town and small butterfly sanctuary.  Was very nice to see and we did see some clusters of monarchs.  The Monarchs have started to leave the area to begin their travels, but we still did get to see some today.  We also went to the town museum.  I was so thrilled to buy all kinds of butterfly items to share with the class, including some very special books.  After our adventure with the Monarchs, we went to Carmel for lunch since it was only minutes away. What a fun place!! Will have to visit Carmel again on another trip some time... then it was time for an amazing afternoon at Point Lobos.  This is a state park that is AMAZING to visit. Such beauty in one place. We climbed mountain formations, walk the trails, viewed seals and sea lions.  We also saw beautiful cypress trees that were breath taking.  I took over 200 pics today alone!!!!  The sun was out as well and it warmed up to about 65 degrees in the sun.  Very cool in the mornings, but so far the afternoons have been wonderful. Brian and Eric are amazing leaders on this trip.  We are learning so much from them, I can't thank them enough.  The other teachers on this trip have been wonderful and many wonderful friendships have been formed. 

Tomorrow we head to another location to see more Monarchs and then off to the Monterey Aquarium.  Our hotel is just down the street from the aquarium, so that will be a close visit not needing our big tour bus.  Hope everyone in NJ is staying warm!!!

Monday-feb 21st

What a day!!  We were all sad to leave the Pismo Beach area, but excited about seeing all the sights on the coastal highway.  We all loaded up on our comfy tour bus and were amazed at how the roads went up and down, curved around.  All the mountains were beautiful to see.  Interesting to learn that many were formed as a result of one volcano after another.  Many are referred to as a volcanic plug.  So green and blended with many colors.  We first arrived at one of the state parks to explore tidal pools.  Rocks to climb and much to see.  Walking out on the huge rocks was a bit tricky, and many of us became a bit daring as we got closer and closer to the water.  The waves crashed up against the rocks which filled many of the gaps and brought in some sea life.  Eric and Brian pointed out many interesting creatures along the way.  We also hiked on a few trails and saw some really beautiful flowers and odd shaped trees.  The sun was shining and the temps were about 60 degrees.  Finally someone yelled, otter!!  and yes, there was an otter!!  Brian got us a close up look with his special telescope.  Then we loaded the bus and went to see elephant seals.  When we heard we were going to see elephant seals, nobody was ready to see what we saw.  Hundreds of elephant seals laying on the shoreline basking in the sun.  The males weigh almost 5,000 pounds!!!  They were huge!! The females weigh about 2-3,000 pounds.   There were many smaller babies too!! They were all just laying there, looked like they were all dead at first, but alive and well as they enjoyed the sun. The photos are amazing.  Eric explained that many years ago they were almost gone from our earth. At one time there were only 100 elephant seals left. Today, the population is just over 200,000 and growing.  We learned that our neighboring country Mexico helped to preserve the 100 that were left, and because of their help, the elephant seals are still with us today.  After seeing all these amazing creatures, we loaded the bus and headed toward Sand Dollar Beach.  This was actually nicknamed the Jaded coast because the beach area is loaded with rocks  that are colored many shades of green.  It was a hike down to get to the water, the pacific ocean in this area.  Very steep and tricky walk down.  Once on the beach area, tons of rocks, hard to walk on, but fun to go rock hunting.  While looking and searching for the perfect rocks to bring back to school, I ended up breaking one of the golden rules while near the ocean water. I went to pick up this "perfect" looking rock that I saw when the waves rolled back, turned my back for just a moment to pick up the rock, and before I knew it, a wave crashed down on me and I was soaked. Still got my rock, but now soaking wet!!!  So I looked for a short time after that, but had to head back to the bus to get the bus driver to help me find my suitcase so that I could get a change of clothes!!  What a story I will be able to tell when I share those rocks with my class.  After that adventure, we loaded the bus and headed up the coastal highway towards Monterey.  We stopped along the way to view many wonderful sites and take some unique pics.  Ended up at our first look at some redwoods at Big Sur.  What a great place!!  Amazed by our first look at Redwoods, how huge ans so beautiful.  The lodge looked like a great place to stay.  Had some snacks and tea to warm up, then headed to our final destination for the day, Monterey.   Checked in to our hotel and then to  Bubba Gump for some shrimp.  Looking forward to tomorrow..... we head to Pacific Grove, butterfly town USA!!!

Sunday Feb 20th-Pismo Beach

WOW!  I love Pismo Beach.... the beach on the Pacific coast is very different from the East coast.  Took a 4 hour drive south to Pismo beach today.  Got up at 4:30 am, still on Jersey time..Huge rocks and cliffs everywhere.  We went to the first butterfly sanctuary today.  Since it is warming up, the Monarchs have started to leave the area.  We still did see many, but not as many as there were a couple of weeks ago.  The guides say that by next week, most of the monarchs will have left to start their spring journey once again.  So peaceful, so beautiful.  That was not a disappointment.  We walked along the beach as well, and since it was about 65 degrees and sunny, it was WONDERFUL!  There are so many wonderful teachers on this trip from all over Canada and the US.  Brian and Eric, our Monarch Network leaders, have done a terrific job setting up our tour.  Do you know why CA is called the "Golden" state?  Because of the gold rush?  Nope... it is because the hills turn a beautiful golden color in the spring and summer due to the lack of rain.  Strawberries are grown year round and can be seen growing in many areas on our way out to Pismo today.  Instead of scarecrow, guess what they use to keep the birds away???  Mylar slivers, like balloons.... (did I spell that right, mylar??)  There are silver slivers shining all over the fields where crops are growing.... these keep the birds away.... very interesting.... didn't know that.  

After visiting the Pismo sanctuary, we checked into the Best Western Cliff Lodge.  Yup, cliff is in the name.  That is because we are on a cliff, overlooking the ocean!!!  It is so beautiful.  We walked down some very long and narrow steps to get to the beach.  On the beach here there are caves and huge rock formations.  It was a lot of fun exploring the caves and talking to all the people from all over.  So many interesting conversations and instant connections. 

So far I feel like I am in a dream, can't believe how lucky I am to be able to spend this time with such wonderful people and at the same time learn so much!!! 

Early rise tomorrow.... on to Monterey I think..... will be exploring tidal pools to see the wildlife first hand.... sure hope the water is not freezing!!!!!  Getting my camera all charged up...

Still trying to upload pics to this blog......

Saturday 2/19

Hello everyone... well... I made it to SF,  windy day did mean a bumpy ride on the plane and it took longer to get here... but made it.... pouring rain on landing... my cousin and her husband picked me up from the airport and we went to Chinatown.  What an experience for sure.  We ate at this terrific restaurant, best Chinese food that I have ever had!!  It rained and it was very cold.  The parade started up and the rain started to let up... great parade, a lot of fun... the people are very friendly here,  nobody seems to be in a rush... after parade, need to rest up now for tomorrow. I will be meeting all my fellow Monarch Teacher friends tomorrow bright and early at 7 am.  I believe we will be going on a 4 hour trip down the coast to the Prismo Beach to our first butterfly sanctuary. I am so excited... I hope I can sleep!!!!!!

regarding blog-info

Hello all..... I believe after trial an error, one can see the blog even if they don't register to be a follower....if not a follower, you can't leave a message, but can still see blog through the link I sent.  I see from the blog notes sent to me that many have viewed the site.... so that is good, sure hope my families/friends are able to at least view my posts along the way.... if you want to follow and be able to post, just create a google or yahoo email to use just for this if you want to .... any way... here's to hoping this all works out... my trip and this new blog thing!!!

Friday night-finally ready

Friday night... finally ready...very excited to hear from a cousin who will be meeting me tomorrow at the airport.... catching up at dinner and the San Fransisco Chinese New Year Parade in China town tomorrow night.... should be very fun!!!  so excited to reconnect with family.... and then with my fellow Monarch Network friends..... and no snow here to hinder take off, hope the wind dies down.... the forecast out in CA is very iffy... rain it looks like some of the days... but all will still be good... I have my rain gear ready to go!!!!! off to bed to wake up at 5am..... should be in SF by noon their time, 3pm our time here. 

trying to figure it all out

Hello all... still trying to figure out if I can access the blog and be able to post... trying to figure out how to send the link successfully to everyone..... stay tuned......