Five Countries Four Marlboroughs: Salinas Valley

On the bus bright and early again - another 8am start. Today we were doing a fair bit of driving as we head to Monterey Bay. We are really loving the tour and don't want it to end! We have been some great people and they are really enjoying having the kids on the tour. People comment on how well behaved the kids are (true Mum) and one lady came up and told me how lovely i was with the kids and how calm! (that's a first, me - calm??) The best thing is we are up and going early and going ALL day - everything is organised and just so easy. After the shock of the tour at the start Terry and I think it has worked out for the very best. Only having six kids in total means they don't get too silly and the oldies are always coming up to the kids showing them something or pointing things out they think they would like. It's like having 10 grandparents on the tour!

I can't remember the name of the place we first stopped - it was like a huge roadhouse - but the kids had train ride, and bought a slingshot. (I don't think this was the best idea I've ever had) Then we headed to Salinas Valley which is the most productive region in California. The industry is worth $3.8 billion. On either side of the road for miles and miles were crops including nut trees, sunflowers, strawberries, corn and the number one crop - lettuce.

We then called into one of the farms and were given a tour - we learnt so much in the couple of hours we were there. We had a tasting of fried (of course) artichoke hearts - delicious!

We crossed the San Andreas fault line - in California you are never more than 50 miles away from a major earthquake fault. Then off to Carmel-by-the-sea which is a small city in Monterey County. Whilst it had been a great day, it was also a long day and by the time we were there is was getting late and cold. It has dropped 10 degrees now that we are back on the coast. We had a look around the little shops but all we wanted to do was get to the hotel. In the area we were in there wasn't much for the kids too see so they started to fool - even started fooling Terry too!

Arrived at the hotel where we are for 2 nights - yay! - so no packing in the morning. Went for a quick dinner at the Italian across the road which had a jazz band playing.

We are all loving this trip so much - you were right Cath, we're up to Week 4 and we feel like we could keep travelling - we don't want to come home!!

As soon as we get home we'll be saving to come back to America - it's the place to be!!