Blogs from Carmel-By-The-Sea, California, United States, North America - page 4

(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 relief of the frightened townspeople, Fremont went south to fight a Mexican resistance force. With his departure a period of calm set in. Colton, finding no place to exercise his duties, constructed a town hall using convict labor and almost no public money. ... read more

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 coastline.... read more

This entry begins a new series of my travels which will get its input from my book Our Summer in Carmel (Amazon.com) The book describes the experiences my wife, Elysee, and I had while renting a summer home in Carmel for three plus months. What the book also does is provide an example of a lifestyle I champion and the reason behind my name no2ndhome. It is my belief that for many persons, especially retiring "Boomers", temporarily renting a second home each summer, preferably in a different place each year, is a superior financial and lifestyle strategy than buying a second home. While not for everyone, it has many advantages. I have been enchanted with the Monterey Peninsular ever since I first drove down 17 mile drive in December 1964. Returning from a tour of ... read more

On the way out of Monterey, we took a side trip down the 17 mile drive around Pebble Beach. The views were incrediable of the ocean and of the cypress trees and the golf courses were perfect. Some lucky folks actually live along the coastline and golf course in what we have come to find out is some of the most expensive real estate in the country, not to mention golf green fees which were starting at $1200 for 18. We can see why...... read more

Back on the road, the visit with grandkids and the wedding behind us it’s time for the top down tour to get going again. We left San Dimas, around noon, and drove towards Big Sur. We took the I-5 to Rte. 46 to get over to Pacific Coast Highway. On I-5 with the top down and the outside temperature at 106 degrees we were cooking. By the time we got to the coast it was 59 degrees and I had the heat on. We made it to Carmel by the Sea in Monterey Peninsula Ca. The campground here was nothing to talk about, just a place to sleep. The next day August 17th, we headed toward San Francisco wanting to get to wine country. The drive was very nice, temps in the 60’s. We drove across ... read more