A man in a fish tank and the Golden Gate Bridge

Tonight finds me in a motel in Rohnert Park, north of San Francisco, at the end of another great day driving through California.

After the first full day California Drivin’, a night in and breakfast in Carmel preceded a short drive in to Monterey, where the Internet Librarian 2007 Conference I am heading for starts on Monday.  That is two days away yet, so I’ve got sights to see.  Whilst in town I visit the world famous Monterey Bay Aquarium.  “Visit the aquarium” was by far the most popular suggestion – and they were right.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is housed in old canning factory buildings on the waterfront. This is an impressive set-up, well worth the $24 entrance fee.  From the waves breaking over a glass walkway to the domed roof with a shoal  of fish swimming endlessly around it, this is a fascinating visit.  The areas where tanks of jelly fish line the walls are a great attraction .  Not so much of an attraction as feeding time in the two floor high tank which is carried out by a diver.  The have to use a diver as some fish which stay near the bottom would never get any food.  The diver has a microphone and joins his colleague on the outside of the tank in a running commentary with the public.  It is hard to tell which animal is the most popular wit the public – the ones with the fins, or the one with the aqualung!

After a couple of hours I’m on the road again, heading up Highway 1 towards San Francisco. The wild drive up the coast yesterday had spoilt me.  Although through nice scenery, the road is nothing compared with the day before.  A stop for coffee & donuts, from a donut shop run by a guy from Laos who wants to retire in Canada, in a place called Pacifica punctuates  the journey.  It is not long before the highway enters San Francisco and becomes 19th Avenue heading towards Golden Gate Park.

As I reach the park I get a feeling of déjà vu, suddenly remembering the last time I drove this road back in 1976.  Through the park and up to the Golden Gate Bridge itself.  I get out to stretch my legs and take a few photos, even for some Belgian tourists.

Over the famous bridge in to Marin County and, despite the protestations of the sat-nav lady, up on to the cliffs above the ocean again.  Highway 1 has its old fire back, this switchback ride up and down the cliffs and in and out of the valleys is so exhilarating.  I am so glad I chose a small VW from the car rental site in LA – all that is missing is a gear stick and a clutch, it is so hard to throw a car in to a corner in a controlled way when it is changing gear all by its self.

Wanting to be in striking distance of San Francisco, where I want to spend a few hours tomorrow, I head inland to hit the main 101 freeway to find a suitable hotel or motel with broadband access.  Apart from posting this, I really must get my presentation done for next week or I will be showing my snaps of this trip to the folks at the California Digital Library on Tuesday.