There’s nothing better than a day on the central California coast. I miss living there and am glad we’re keeping my place there with the goal of using it as a vacation home when our tenant is out. I hadn’t gone down there in a while, so decided to drive down yesterday, early. The morning began with coffee at Big Sur. I liked this little restaurant better when it was funkier and more rustic. I guess this is progress. But my favorite coffee artisan, Chris, was there, and he made me a coffee drink that was not only delicious, but a work of art.
And then, since the sun was starting to peek out, we decided to stop in Carmel with the ultimate goal of lunch.
Carmel’s very pretty, full of lush flowers, plants and trees. But when I lived there (for a year, a few years ago) it got a little cloying and precious, if you know what I mean. But it’s a lovely little strolling town. Here’s a pretty little stone bridge to nowhere. Pebble Beach is just down the road a little bit, so golf’s pretty big. And then, the obligatory adorable little shops. I love yellow and blue in the kitchen. Hubby doesn’t share my love of shabby chic. I covet this, but it’s about $1,000 more than I would pay for it. Everything in Carmel is more than I want to pay for it. (Although there are some great bargains on homes in the $17 million range). The picture of this piece doesn’t do it justice. Why worry about pushing the season? Just have Christmas year around! I usually only think about these treats in the fall. It’s still summer. But it’s Carmel and the weather is cool. Still, we passed. But just looking at them, I can hear the crunch and taste them.
Carmel is hugely dog friendly. Yes, these are DOG treats but they look good enough for people.
And thematic store offerings:
Found some great cards. Since I had the camera out, I shot photos instead of buying them. Always frugal!
Some people wouldn’t be that upset about this:
This was cute.
Since it’s Carmel, the public bathrooms are adorable. But what I liked about this picture is that there was actually a line for the MEN’S ROOM! When do you ever see that? And you can’t see it too clearly here, but trust me. There was a line.
Wow, the Coach outlet, one of my happy places. There was just enough time for a walk on the Pacific Grove rec trail as I promised Trainer Chris OR to shop the big Coach sale that we came across. It was a dilemma. Gosh, what to do, what to do?
(Trunk of my car.) Well, I didn’t buy those cards, did I?
Gosh, lunchtime, already? The outdoor patio here is one of my favorite Carmel spots. On a cool evening, it’s fun to have cocktails by the fire.
Service was awful this day, but I had a lovely salad and the inauthentic but delicious onion soup. Oh, it’s empty? Yeah, well, I ate it before I remembered to take a picture. Good thing I’m not a food blogger.
Life on the edge of the world. It’s pretty damn good.
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