Tuesday, November 26, 2013, With Bob at the Monterey Aquarium in Monterey, CA

We had plans to meet Richard, Darian, and Bob at the Monterey Aquarium in Monterey, CA, so we left the motorhome keys with the boys at Golden State Truck & Trailer Repair in Salinas, CA, and headed out in the toad.

A very hyper Jelly.  Only about 2 inches across.

 They were the cutest of the jelly family.

Crown Jelly

 Upside-down Jelly rests its bell on the seafloor.

The variety is staggering. 

Moon Jellies (I think).

Crystal Jelly

Purple-stripped Jelly

Aptly named, White Spotted Jelly (another little guy, about 2-3 inches across)

 Cousin to the octopus, the Cuttlefish has 10 strong arms that lash out and grab small fish.

 A starry flounder pushing its head up with its fins.

 It looks like it has lips!

 Spiny brittle stars

 They are both the same kind of fish, but they are adjusting their color to blend in with their environment.

Sea Pen

 I did not use my flash!  BUT, I took my picture at the same instant that the person next to me used their flash.

Ahh, penguin love...

Hamming it up for the camera!

Thanks again, Richard, for sharing your Aquarium membership with us!!!

About 12:00, I received a call that all was well again - the disintegrated filter had not been fully flushed from the system and it had clogged up the new pump. It was fixed, and we could pick the coach up at any time. We decided there was really no hurry, so we continued to enjoy the aquarium, but maybe even a little more given our great sense of relief!

Point Pinos Lighthouse, Pacific Grove, CA built in 1855.

When we returned at 2:00, we quickly hooked up the car and were ready to head to the campground - full hook-ups and showers beckoned us. Before we made it out of the parking lot, the Check Engine light again illuminated. VMSpc confirmed it was again a failure of the lift pump. The shop owner checked it himself and agreed, the pump had failed. He said that happens sometimes (not something you really like to hear). He was not sure he could get another pump quickly, and he recognized that we were running out of time - if he could not get a pump on Wednesday, it would be Monday (due to the holiday) before we could be on the road. We did not like the prospect of Thanksgiving in limbo, not knowing how this issue would be resolved.