We've moved from Big Sur up through Monterey and into Boulder Creek. A major point in Monterey was to find a 'net access point so that Katrina could register for a summer Anatomy class at Woodland college. Much to her dismay, not only was the class already full but she couldn't add to the waitlist because the system was demanding that she have the prerequisites done. A B.S. from UC Davis in Biology certainly qualifies as that, but the office will need to see a fax of her transcripts before they can lift the hold. Transcripts which are in Davis, or possibly not even there since they will probably need the Junior College transcripts to see the necessary classes. To double the frustration, she had called the registration office previously, and even went there in person -- transcripts in hand -- to be certain that exactly this sort of bullshit wouldn't impede her registration later. Assured twiceover that everything would be fine, she was lied to twiceover.

That frustration behind us (although merely for the moment, as it will eventually need confronting), we later had lunch at a Whole Foods grocery store deli and bought some chocolate truffles and something called halvah (sp?) for Jesse and Sarain ... and some white chocolate, chocolate peaches and more halvah for us. "Give unto others as you would give unto yourself." That shit ain't in the Bible, but it sure sounds like it should be.

Moving on from there, we drove up to Big Basin Redwoods State Park where we had called ahead to ask about tent cabins. Upon arriving, we found that while the price was as quoted, and the availability was as discussed, the inclusion of linens hadn't been inquired about. They weren't. And while you could rent some for $10, the 2 sheets, 2 blankets and 2 pillows sounded inadequate to fend off the cold and the look of the cots seemed less than back friendly. So we retreated back to the nearest town and rented a hotel room ($85) like a coupla city slickers with money to burn. To complete the money burnin' image, we went to a co-op style grocery and bought fixin's for tomorow's hiking lunch ($23), went to a hippie organic vegetarian dinner ($22 + $5 tip + $5 tip to musicians) and then bought a nicely matted print ($22). Money burnt, an excellent time had by all, and I won't regret a penny of it when I feast on the groceries and leftovers tomorrow and sleep soundly tonight.