Pumpkins, Three Tunnels and Lobster Rolls

Around 9 a.m. one late October Thursday, a bus full of intrepid souls departed the Community Center for an epicurean adventure that was highlighted by lobster rolls, three tunnels and a visit to a pumpkin patch.

Michael, our trusty PVE driver, drove west to Highway 101, then through the Robin Williams Tunnel, and across the Golden Gate Bridge where we enjoyed a clear view of “The City by The Bay.” Then we went through the General MacArthur Tunnel on the Presidio, before finally stopping for a rest break at the Cliff House.

We headed south along the Great Highway, through the Tom Lantos Tunnel (that bypasses the infamous “Devil’s Slide” section of Highway 1) just south of Pacifica to Sam’s Chowder House in Half Moon Bay. They have an amazing seafood menu that includes a delicious lobster roll that proved to be irresistible to many of us. However, some of us agreed that their Boston clam chowder is outclassed by our very own PVE version of the same.

Bob’s Vegetable Stand and Pumpkin Farm was open for business, and soon several residents, along with Denise and Gladys of PVE Life Enrichment, loaded several wheelbarrows full of the orange gourds onto the bus. A few of the specimens were transformed into fascinating objects during PVE’s pumpkin carving contest later in the month.

First, a quick trip south to San Gregorio State Beach to enjoy a view of sand and the smell of the surf, and then we were off to the San Gregorio General Store for an opportunity to shop.

We drove up Main Street through Half Moon Bay. It’s a cute little town that was decorated for their annual Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival that’s held every October.

Then we headed across Highway 92, north on 280, then east on 80 across the Bay Bridge and arrived home around 6:15 p.m. Since the traffic through San Francisco was heavy, Denise led us in Q&A sessions on topics ranging from UFO sightings, how we met our significant other, and other fun subjects. Ask her about her UFO sighting sometime!

It was a long day, but it was thoroughly enjoyable!