October 11, 2009 Today we decided to drive down the coast to the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel and Big Sur. The weather was a bit cloudy but we still saw some wonderful sights. Carmel was quite a town…a lot of shops, seemed very upscale. We didn’t stop, just drove through. We were looking for Clint Eastwood and ….he must not have heard we were in town because he didn’t show! Anyway we drove on to a route called “the 17 mile Drive” which brought us through this area of the coast with really beautiful homes. The road ended at the Pebble Beach [View Full Entry]

---

---

Excerpted from my book OUR SUMMER IN CARMEL; Amazon.com Carmel's unusual climatic conditions contribute to several other natural phenomena. One example is the Monterey Pine. This is the tree that Cabrillo discovered in 1542 after which he named Cabo de Pinos. This species of pine grows large, tall and straight, a shipwright’s dream-tree in the sailing days of the 16-17th centuries. It is the world’s fastest growing pine; some are known to grow ten feet in a year! Although this tree is found in many places in the world today, it is indigenous to only a few places in California, [View Full Entry]

---

---

Excerpted from my book OUR SUMMER IN CARMEL, Amazon.com The Monterey Peninsula is comprised of several small towns woven seamlessly together all hugging the cool waters of Monterey Bay, witheach community having its own distinct character. In Carmel there was a gathering at Devendorf Park, the social center of the village, with live music. Pacific Grove, a small former Victorian village separated from Carmel by Carmel Hill, was having its own parade. Seaside, a very patriotic community that borders Ft. Ord with many retired military personnel in residence, had already rolled out their annua [View Full Entry]

---

---

Excerpted from my book, OUR SUMMER in CARMEL, Amazon.com Why Carmel? Bearing in mind we are to consider the entire world each year for place to spend the summer, why Carmel? And why am I making repeated visits when I preach about the virtues of going to a different place each year? The simple answer is that I have an incurable attraction to the Monterey Peninsula. From the first time I drove through in December, 1964 upon returning from a year tour with the Army in Korea. It was love at first sight. I was seduced by the special appeal of [View Full Entry]

---

---

(Excerpted from my book: OUR SUMMER IN CARMEL Amazon.com) This posting completes a short history of the region from the period of pre-history to statehood. Springtime 1849 brought a new administration to Washington in the name of Zachary Taylor and a new Governor for California, Brigadier General Bennett Riley. Both men were pledged to act quickly on the complicated question of statehood, bypassing the usual period of territorial status. With the discovery of gold and the influx of 49ers something had to be done soon. Elections were held for Representatives to a constitutional convention a [View Full Entry]

---

---

(Excerpted from my book OUR SUMMER IN CARMEL Amazon.com) It is one thing to proclaim that all of California now belongs to the United States, quite another to take charge. Commodore Sloat, being ill, and perhaps out of his element where spontaneous decision making was needed, turned his command over to the younger, more energetic, Commodore Stockton. Freemont, ever the adventurer, arrived with about 200 irregulars, spoiling for action. Walter Colton, a Navy chaplain, was appointed the Mayor of Monterey, with instructions to exert some measure of civil authority. Thankfully, much to the rel [View Full Entry]

---

---

(Excerpted from my book OUR SUMMER IN CARMEL, Amazon.com) Although it took Spain almost three hundred years to get off their galleons and settle California, in a space of only seventy more years Spain would lose California and sovereignty would change twice over that vast rich area. During the early 1800s Spain, like much of Europe, was embroiled in the Napoleonic wars. Her increasingly scanty resources and accelerating loss of control over her vast overseas empire resulted in a weaker nation, compared to two centuries earlier. Not only were wars in Europe causing Spain much distress, but [View Full Entry]

---

---

Point Lobos sits just South of Carmel on the coastline. Not only does it contain very cool coastline, but you can see Pebble Beach from certain points within the reserve. This day it was really windy and it was a bit interesting to see the waves pound the rocks along the coastline. There were a few Seals on hand and well, some resting on rocks, and some that seemed to be dozing in the water. Check out the 54 second video clip to see how the wind fueled waves were hammering the coastli [View Full Entry]

---

---

Since we have a dog, we are always looking for a dog friendly hotel. The most famous of all dog friendly hotels is Doris Day's Cypress Inn in Carmel, CA. It is located just a block off of well known Ocean Avenue. At the check in desk, a large bowl of dog treats sits on the counter. A few more steps leads us to the bar, where dogs are welcome. We have been here on several occasions. The walls are covered with Hollywood black and white photos and movie posters. Doris and Rock Hudson are quite prominently displayed. While the rooms [View Full Entry]

---

---

(Excerpted from my book Our Summer in Carmel Amazon.com) From Carbrillo's misadventures in 1542 more than fifty yeas would pass before Spain would pay any attention to his expedition. Events on a larger scale prodded Spain into action. By the close of the 16th Century, Spain was engaged in extended trading between Mexico and its outpost in the Philippines, Manila. But their treasure laden ships were exposed to attack, particularly by the English, and the likes of Sir Francis Drake. Drake had already landed not far north of present day San Francisco, and claimed the entire Pacific coast for [View Full Entry]

---

---