Cliffs Notes -- get it?  I drove the Pacific Coast Highway today from San Francisco to Monterey.  Gorgeous views of cliffs looming over really tan beaches and the brilliant, endless expanse of the Pacific Ocean.

Ok, maybe I'm the only one who thinks my pun is clever.  Just goes to show that I'm punchy.  Everybody here in California considers it 8 pm, but my East Coast body thinks it's 11 p.m. and I've been up since 5 a.m.

So, the beautifully, written, stirring tale of Day One's experiences will have to wait.

Ahh, you'd want to see pictures anyway and there's the little problem of the not-packed camera cord to download the shots.  I might break down and buy one at Office Max.  Because I need another power cord or wire for this hotel room desk.  Right now my cell phone is charging on one cord, the computer's plugged into another outlet, and I'm recharging my iPod via the computer.  Good thing I left the electric toothbrush at home or I could blow a circuit in my room.

Hopefully, you'll generously forgive me if I settle for teasers for descriptions to be written later.  Just think of lighthouse, harbor seals, Santa Cruz boardwalk, artichokes growing in roadside farms (One of which was just consumed by me for dinner.  Artichoke, not the whole farm.)

They're big on produce on the stretch of road I just drove.  I have this whole first impression of the total naturalness of this part of California.  Even the McDonald's looks cleaner and more healthy.  (Now that's a whopper for sure.  Whoops.  Wrong burger chain.)

I'm sure it's just a coincidence that, when I turned on the television, the first channel up from the hotel welcome menu, there was a show all about fertility-improving herbs for men and women.  A woman who looks like she could be Faith Hill's not-quite-as-stunning older sister was talking about how testosterone-boosting, sperm-stimulating herbs.  The whole time, she held her hands like she was about to bow and wish us Namaste.

Anyone who remembers my soupcon of separation anxiety over leaving the pups behind will be happy to know that the dogsitter checked in and they're all doing just fine.  Unfortunately, I forgot to tell her what to feed the fish, but that oversight has now been corrected.  So, everything's terrific at home.

Ok, I seriously need to stretch out now, but one more reminder -- You can still throw your hat into the ring to receive a free copy of one of my books -- as long as you promise to make a donation to your local Literacy organization.  Scroll down a couple of blog posts for details.

Good night, all!