Butterflies Are Free

On Saturday, because it was quite cool and a little rainy, even Denis opted for a stay-at-home day. We had originally thought that we would go to San Francisco for their Chinese New Year parade, but lacking a helicopter that could fly us in and fly us out, it just seemed like too much to try it. We would have to take Caltran, trolleys, and maybe a dog-sled or two just to get there because parking is such a problem. That and the fact that they were expecting a million spectators convinced me that we should probably just watch it on TV...which we did. But prior to the event, we didn't exactly stay home. We went to Fry's Electronics to return some computer speakers. (Quite a place!) We stopped to get Denis's hair cut, then topped off the afternoon at a Chinese buffet. (Different menu than at home. Crayfish, clams, crab legs, oysters...more seafood than in Plainfield. Duh!)

After running our errands, we came home to watch the parade, then started the first part of the movie "Ben-Hur". I think Denis enjoyed it.

Sunday, we ventured out to Monterey--more specifically, Pacific Grove--to find monarch butterflies that migrate there for the winter. The little preserve was really not much more than a path off an alley in a neighborhood, but there were butterflies! According to a guide there, they get as many as 20,000. The day was cool and there weren't nearly that many there, but they were clustered together...and we got pictures. (It also happens to be near the place where John Denver died in his experimental airplane.)

We headed south toward Big Sur to see if we could spot any whales. Didn't see any, but it was worth a try. Before some clouds moved in, the contrast of the white of the breaking surf against the deep blue of the ocean and the light blue of the sky yesterday was absolutely striking in its beauty. I can't remember when I have seen it look so gorgeous.

Today, Meg and I tried to tie up some loose ends of our visit before I leave tomorrow. I'm not anxious to get back to winter in Indiana, but there are things to do there, too. Wish me well. I don't like to fly!