May 3, 2019

Ashlee Gray

HIKING MT. SHASTA AREA

May 3, 2019

Ashlee Gray

GETTING THERE //

After a couple of days on Highway 1 exploring the Redwoods and the coastal towns, we decided to head east towards Mt. Shasta. We came across Heart Lake Trail online and knew it would be worth the 4 hour drive through the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Despite it being a national forest I was a little shocked that we couldn't find anything along the way that was of much interest. We were concerned about there still being snow on the mountain, so before hitting the road, I called the local ranger station to ask about local conditions. I mentioned the trail we had in mind and the ranger said the trail was open but unmarked due to there being 8 feet of snow. She suggested renting snow shoes at the local rental shop, The Fifth Season.

We arrived in Mt. Shasta and went straight to the rental shop. After speaking to a helpful employee, we decided to start the Heart Lake Trail early the following morning. So to fill our evening plans, we drove up the main road to Mt. Shasta until we literally couldn't go any further due to the snow. When we got out of the car, it was pretty funny. The snow was so high the road signs were just peeking out.

FIRST TIME TESTING OUT SNOW SHOES //

We piled on the layers and packed up for our hike to Panther Meadow. It was about 20 degrees, which is much colder than our typical hiking weather. I knew I didn't want to get stuck without enough layers, so I layered on two pairs of pants, two pairs of socks and probably six different tops including my jacket.

We really didn't know how far we had to go (because the signs were under the snow) but we estimated a couple of miles there and back. We didn't hike a trail; we just followed the road uphill to the meadow. Within the first couple of minutes, I fell trying to get up the 8 feet of snow. Once up there we set out and quickly realized we had on way too many layers. Each time we'd stop, I'd have to take off another layer. The guys laughed at me. Now I know. We passed a couple of people sledding at the base of the parking lot then didn't see anyone until we arrived back just before sunset.

I felt comfortable in the snow shoes, but after about an hour I had some pain in my hips and lower back. Because I'm on the short side (5 feet), I realized I had to keep my snowshoes further apart, so they didn't rub which caused me to walk in a wider stance. I tried to get into a rhythm and used my poles to help take some of the pressure off my hips. I knew I'd be sore the next day but I'm really happy we had the chance to get the hang of them before we set off straight up the side of a mountain.

At the end of our hike we caught a beautiful sunset as we made our way back to the car. The mountains in the distance were so blue and the orange light leaked in through the trees, what a perfect ending to the day.

We packed up the car and headed back into town. The restaurant options were pretty limited. We ended up at Copper's Bar & Grill which is located in the Best Western. I know what you're thinking, it sounds strange, but we were all pretty impressed with our meals and the beer selections on tap. I had the chicken burger with avocado, bacon and sweet potato fries.The atmosphere was casual and cozy, like a true mountain lodge so it felt appropriate (especially when we still wearing our hiking boots).

I wish we would have had another couple of days exploring Mt. Shasta. We only got to spend about 24 hours there. The next morning we woke early and hiked the Heart Lake Trail (click for link to post). After that we grabbed brunch at Lily's and then hiked the Castle Dome Trail that afternoon.

WHAT I WISH I WOULD HAVE KNOWN //

Stay longer. 24 hours just wasn't enough time to explore the area. We could have easily spent four or five days there. Due to time restraints, we were forced to skip Lassen Volcanic National Park that seemed pretty awesome. Initially, Coty's work took us to California this trip, but if I were to plan to revisit these areas of northern California, I'd probably wait until the snow melted a bit more to make things easier. Even though it was the beginning of April, some areas were closed or couldn't be accessed due to the snow.

WHAT WE SPENT //

BUDGETING: A general idea of what we spent in USD.

Motel for 1 night - $85/night - (divided 3 ways - $28 per person)
Dinner - meal + beer = $25 per person
Snow shoe rental - $16 per person

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Read about previous stops in the Redwoods and Fern Canyon.

May 3, 2019

Ashlee Gray

FEELING LIKE A KID AGAIN IN MONTEREY BAY

May 3, 2019

Ashlee Gray

VISITING THE AQUARIUM // 07.13.15

This was my second trip to Monterey Bay. I first traveled there with my dad on our west coast road trip in January 2014. I had such a great time that I wanted to go back and show Coty my favorite places. After traveling through Big Sur, we had to stop in Monterey, and I really wanted to go to the aquarium. Oh my, we had the greatest time. Unfortunately, we didn't allow ourselves enough time (three hours) before they closed for the day. I felt like a child being drug out against my will. I could have packed a picnic and sat in the jellyfish room for the entire afternoon.

Tickets were $50 each and worth every penny. Visit Monterey Bay Aquarium for more info.

ACCOMMODATIONS //

We wanted somewhere to relax for two days, after all the adventurous things we'd done the week prior. We were two weeks into our 3-week vacation and starting to feel it. We decided to stay two nights at the Portlanda Hotel and Spa. We found a great deal on Hotel Tonight ($110/night) that we just couldn't pass up. The location allowed us to walk to all the nearby restaurants and attractions. There was a little brewery just around the corner which hit the spot.

If I'm ever back in the area, I will stay in Carmel-By-The-Sea. It's a bit more pricey, but it's not as touristy and is full of charm.

EATS //

Dametra Cafe - If you're staying in the Monterey or Carmel area do yourself a favor and eat here! It's AMAZING! I discovered this place on my previous trip, and my dad and I had the most fantastic dinner and loved the vibes. The service is incredible! Even if there is a wait, it's worth it. Put your name in and visit all the shops around Carmel. My favorite entree is the Greek Style Lamb Shank with veggies or the gyro for lunch, but everything is delicious.

Loulou's Griddle in the Middle - We wanted to avoid the touristy places and managed to find this hidden gem for lunch. There was a decent line, but luckily it didn't take long for a table for two. This place is TINY! The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was good, nothing fancy.

Peter B's Brewpub - This was right outside our hotel. After a long day in the sun, we wanted a nice cold IPA and a simple salad. We enjoyed both!

THINGS TO DO IN/NEAR MONTEREY //

Shops & Galleries in Carmel - It only takes about 10 minutes by car to get to Carmel. I prefer the shops and galleries here to the ones in Monterey. You could spend a whole day just looking around the shops. For more on Carmel, visit my blog post here.

17 Mile Drive - Instead of driving, I'd recommend renting bikes from somewhere and cruising around. My dad and I explored the area by bike on our previous trip, and we had a lovely time. There is so much to see and having to park a car is just annoying. Plus, you work off a little of those vacation treats! HA!

Old Fisherman's Wharf - One of the top things to do in Monterey, but I wasn't really a fan of the vibes. There are people outside trying to get you into their restaurants which isn't usually a good sign. On the positive side, you might get to see some sea otters, and it's a nice walk.

Cannery Row - Full of tourists but a nice casual walk on your way to the aquarium. I wasn't a fan of the shops, and the restaurants didn't seem that appealing. It's a good place to find souvenirs if that's your kind of thing.

If you find yourself planning a west coast trip, I'd recommend seeing if you can squeeze Monterey Bay in along the way. Even if you can't spend a night there, it's worth planning a couple hours or a half a day to visit the aquarium and nearby area.

Have you been to Monterey? What about the aquarium? If so, what did you think? Comment below. xx ASH

For more, read about our stops nearby at Carmel-By-The-Sea and Big Sur.

May 3, 2019

Ashlee Gray

CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA

May 3, 2019

Ashlee Gray

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a cozy, one-square-mile beach town along the Monterey Bay Peninsula. It's known for the museums, little shops, galleries and the fairytale-like cottages that line the village center of Ocean Avenue. Sidewalks are more often than not, uneven and the cobblestone adds to the undeniable charm.

THINGS TO DO //

17 MILE DRIVE - Instead of driving, I'd recommend renting bikes from somewhere and cruising around. My dad and I explored the area by bike on our previous trip, and we had a lovely time. There is so much to see and having to park a car is just annoying. Plus, you work off a little of those vacation treats! HA! Depending on how you got to Carmel you can also just continue south on Highway 1 through Big Sur for those free, endless views.

WINE TASTING - There are more than a dozen wineries within one mile of Carmel-by-the-Sea. You can pick up a Wine Walk Passport for $100 which allows you one flight at ten of the thirteen participating tasting rooms. You don't have to worry about driving since everything is within walking distance. The tasting rooms are dog-friendly so feel free to bring them along with you. You can also see if your hotel offers any discounts on tickets for things in the area.

VISIT POINT LOBOS STATE PARK - Beautiful ocean views paired with the rocky shorelines and ocean wildlife. It's only 10 minutes away from Carmel. The park can get really crowded during peak hours and the summer season making parking along the road difficult. Going early or late in the day is usually recommended.

VISIT THE NEARBY MONTEREY BAY & THE AQUARIUM - For more info on this, visit my previous blog post here.

CARMEL BEACH - This white sand beach is the perfect place to relax during the day or end the evening watching the sun go down over the Pacific. The beach is dog-friendly, and off-leash beach so be sure to include the pup(s)! It's a pleasant stroll from the shops on Ocean Ave. down to the beach.

GARRAPATA STATE PARK - Lots of great trails at this park. It was here that I ventured off solo for the first time. The trails along the coast are easy and have breathtaking views. I found that it was kind of hit or miss with trails being marked or finding any info on them. The recent rainfall they've had has completely changed the colors of the landscapes. When I was there this time in March of 2017, the entire coastline was lush and full of color. Sadly the rain has also caused a lot of mudslides/landslides, and the majority of Big Sur was closed for construction - both roadways and parks. Be sure to look for current road closures before planning a trip.

EATS //

DAMETRA CAFE - A lively Mediterranean spot along Ocean Ave. My favorite place to eat in Carmel. It's basically the only place I've eaten (probably six times over the years). The staff is always happy and friendly even at their busiest. They usually play music and dance a couple of songs during dinner. There can often be a wait, but it's worth it. Call for reservations or put your name in and visit all the shops around Carmel. The fresh ciabatta bread with oil and balsamic is so simple yet tasty. My favorite is the Greek Style Lamb Shank with veggies or the gyro for lunch. The complimentary melt-in-your-mouth baklava is a nice sweet treat to end the meal. We celebrated Coty's 30th birthday here, and it was lovely!

FUN FACTS //

A free permit is required to wear heels higher than 2 inches in height or with a base of less than one square inch unless a permit is obtained from City Hall. Luckily police do not cite those in violation the law. Why such a peculiar law you ask? Well in the 1920's the city attorney decided that this would help defend the city from the lawsuits of those who tripped over the uneven pavement that was affected by surfacing tree roots.
You won't find any street addresses, parking meters, or any sidewalks outside Carmel's downtown commercial area. The street lights are also limited, and you won't see any neon lights. These city rules help their village avoid being "citified."
Clint Eastwood served as the Mayor of Carmel between 1986-1988.
Doris Day helped make Carmel one of the most dog-friendly places.
You won't find any chain restaurants in this town, which I find refreshing.