Business & Pleasure

Being a licensed insurance broker for the state of Utah, California, Nevada and Idaho means that I can sometimes mix business with pleasure when it comes to travel.  I might visit family, but while on business, I will secure a few good leads and have a few promising conversations with somebody wishing to save money on their insurance or that is looking for a broker they can trust.  It allows me enjoy my vacation while still feeling like I was accomplishing something.  This is important because, as a self employed person, I have no vacation pay.  

Recently though, I had a trip to Northern California that was intended to be business related with intentions of sliding in some pleasure as opposed to the other way around.  I had an insurance conference with the Pacific Interstate Insurance Brokers in Monterey, California.  Lucky for me, Sarah came.  My partners backed out at the last minute, so having planned for Sarah along for the trip became even more important.

We flew into San Jose which provided a great opportunity for us to visit Sarah's Grandfather Christian and Grandmother Raney at the cemetery there.  We also visited some of her other relatives who have long since passed on.  

We took more advantage of our time in San Jose and visited the Winchester Home which was right down the street from where Sarah's Grandparents are buried.  

It isn't cheap to visit the Winchester House, but it was neat and I would encourage a visit.  Unfortunately, we couldn't take pictures inside the home during the tour, but it was fascinating.  The stained glass in the house was simple extraordinary.  

We're getting better at these selfie pics.  Who needs a selfie stick?!  Amateurs!

Sarah photo bombing the picture of this statue.  

Sarah trying to look like an uppity hoity toity girl.

A beautiful Victorian house.  An even more beautiful Sarah!

So, Sarah's Grandfather Christian owned a restaurant in the bay area which was always cool to me because my Grandpa Bliss also owned a restaurant in the bay area.  Her Grandfather's restaurant, The Oak Room was closed to build a freeway in San Jose.  Her great Uncle, her Grandfather's Brother-in-law, Henry also owned a restaurant that still remains today.  This is a picture of Sarah in the bar of her great Uncle's restaurant.  Her Great Uncle Henry is the picture on the wall.  

The restaurant is called Henry's World Famous Hi Life.  It remains in the Little Italy neighborhood of San Jose.  It oozes old school charm from the moment you see it.  

Here is Sarah out front after a great meal at the Hi Life.  The restaurant has been featured on the TV show, "Man Vs Food" and was featured for their white oak pit bbq baby back ribs.  We split a rack and were definitely not disappointed.  You can read my review of the restaurant here.  

I went to check in for the PIIB Conference, but most of the day's events were for my partners that couldn't make it so I headed out with my beautiful wife in search of Giant RedWood trees.

If you have never seized the opportunity to visit the California Redwoods, you are truly missing out.  These trees are some of Mother Nature's most amazing gifts she has ever given mankind.  

A couple interesting facts about the Giant trees: They are the tallest trees on earth.  They are naturally resistant to rot, insects and fire.  This has much to do with their ability to grow for hundreds of years, growing taller and taller.  They contain very little sap which is a major source of food for insects and fuel for fire,  thus, they are less vulnerable.  This picture is of us standing inside a 200 foot tree hollowed out by fire, but remains living today.  Amazing.  

Interestingly enough, their root systems only go 6-12 feet deep which is precariously shallow for a tree that can top 300 feet.  Apparently it is a testament of the strength of community.  Their roots may grow shallow, but they intertwine with the roots of the other trees and create a strong interlocked foundation supporting their massive size for an amazingly extended period of time.  

She is from Oregon so she naturally has to stop to hug a tree now and then.  I don't mind, I'm a bit of a hippie myself.  

There are a few different state parks or national monuments/parks where you can enjoy these massive living monoliths.  We have visited Muir Woods National Monument in Sausalito and now The Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Santa Cruz.  

This is the Grandfather of the forest.  It stands nearly 300 feet tall and is nearly 70 feet in circumference at the trunk and 15 feet in diameter at the breast.  

After visiting the Redwoods we walked along the Santa Cruz boardwalk and had lunch.  

There were many sealions and seals

After hemming and hawing regarding where we should eat, we settled on a restaurant called Miramar.  Eh...not bad, but not good either.  Nonetheless, we enjoyed some fresh seafood and went indoors to avoid the cold wind.  

Before heading back to our hotel in Monterey, we visited Capitola Wharf.  Sarah has fond memories of visiting her Aunt Lisa in the Summer and frequenting Capitola beach.  

How did I get so lucky to spend my life with this little hottie?!

Our hotel in Monterey was La Portola.  It was conveniently located near the convention center, but also adjacent to the courtyard and commerce center of Old Town Monterey which was the first capital of California.  

The coastline in this area is breathtaking.  The flowers, rocky seascape and sea life was beautiful.  We drove along the 17 mile drive from Monterey to Carmel By The Sea.  Unfortunately, it was very cold out and somewhat rainy so we didn't do much exploring of the beaches, mostly just driving.  

The ocean always makes you ponder life and how small we are in the world. 

The iconic "Lone Cypress" famous for the area.  

If you haven't been to Carmel By The Sea, you need to go, especially if you're a chick.  The town's shopping district is amazing, but the whole of the town has managed to create and keep a European small village feel.  

We found an awesome restaurant downtown Carmel called Il Fornaio.  Amazing and authentic Italian food.  It was soooooo good.  As you can see below, we needed a nap after eating!

I saw this t-shirt, but they didn't have my size.  What is cooler than Einstein playing a Uke?!  I submit nothing!

We were tired, so we didn't do anything more than drive by the Carmel Mission of Father Serra Junipero.

Our last night out we walked Fisherman's Wharf and Old Town Monterey.  There is so much charm to this part of the coast.  It is so peaceful and calming.  

We visited the shops and bought a few souvenirs then we watched the seals and otters.  

Sarah Fina found her restaurant, Cafe Fina.

We had a great time.  At the end of the trip we didn't attend many of the meetings at the conference, but we enjoyed our time away.  We are looking forward to next year's conference in Napa wine country.  Thank you Sarah for being my beautiful wife and travel companion.  Thank you for supporting me in my business.  You deserved this break.