17-Mile Drive and Steinbeck

Well, my time in the Bay Area is over for the time being. I'm back just north of LA tonight and will be in the San Diego and LA area next week. I had the past two days off so I took advantage of it by going to Pebble Beach yesterday and today I spent a few hours in John Steinbeck's hometown of Salinas, CA. I visited the National Steinbeck Center today and learn a little about one of America's greatest authors. I bought Cannery Row last week and am in the process of reading it now. I think my next read will be Travels With Charley: In Search of America. I became intrigued by the concept of that book because it is Steinbeck traveling the country with his dog Charley, exploring America. It is a non-fiction work with some mixed results from Steinbeck fans, but I think I can relate to it a little, at least the traveling part. I have really enjoyed seeing different parts of America, and while I am not a writer, I enjoy keeping a log of where I have been and what I have experienced.
Anyway, back to 17-Mile Drive...
It is, like the name suggests, a 17-mile drive around Pebble Beach, which includes some of the most famous golfcourses in the USA, breathtaking views of the Pacific coast and several stops along the way to take some photos and just walk around. I asked a lady at one of the shops what the green fee was at Pebble Beach...$425 (and it's going up next month). So, I will not be playing there unless I win the lottery, but i did pay a visit to the 18th green.