Monterey, 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach & Carmel!

We were fortunate enough to have Brad, Amy and James visit us this month! Brad was here for a week, Amy and James for two. Lucky us!!! While they were here she had her 25th birthday; one of her requests was to go to Monterey. That we did! The day was beautiful, in the 60's, sunny but a bit windy. (which explains why James is not in many of the pics!)

We had a wonderful time driving around the Monterey Peninsula. Our first stop was at a family favorite for lunch at Vivolos, where they make amazing clam chowder and then serve it in a sour dough bread bowl. The top crust that is cut off is broiled with garlic butter and parmesan cheese... so very yummy!

After lunch we went to the Paris Bakery, where French chefs actually cook and serve the food -- ooh la la!! So tasty! Amy wasn't up to the clam chowder so she had a quiche lorraine there - the best crust ever! We purchased one to take home as well which we shared a few days later.

Following our purchase of desserts (for later) we went to Carmel and drove around there. This time we took a different route than usual and ended up finding amazingly quaint homes along the coast. Very fun for us! We love uniqueness!




That day the ocean was a turquoise blue in some locations. It was so clear that it was transparent. An amazing find in California! It reminded me of the ocean in Cancun and in some parts of Hawaii... just beautiful.



Amy and Brad enjoyed hopping in and out of the car to look at the various sights... the sea anemone, lone cypress, etc.. They were just so happy to be out of Idaho and in gorgeous weather and beauty.






One of the favorite stops for Pat and Brad was the Pebble Beach Golf Club area. We stop there every time we go on the 17 Mile Drive. It was Brad's first time there so it was kind of fun to watch him gawk at the course. I would not have been one bit surprised to see him either lay on the grass and hug it or kiss the ground! Of course James enjoyed it too, because if daddy and grandpa have anything to say about it he will probably be a golfer too! ("Go Tiger!") :)



Our final stop in the Monterey area was the wharf. We took our time and walked along the pier, enjoying the sights, sounds and scent of the ocean. Seriously, this is one of my favorite places on earth. There is just something about the ocean that has a way with making all seem right with life. I am so grateful that we are a mere 2 & 1/4 hours away from Monterey! How blessed we are! (You really do have to find the good in living in CA these days and the variety of beauty found here is the obvious good!)

I liked this ship because it had a Pirate flag on it... I am strange that way! :)