Carmel and The Monterey Bay Aquarium

While Josh was away on a Yamasaki Fly Fishing trip the Robertson side of the fam took a short plane trip-- We stayed in Carmel Valley and drove into Monterey one day and Carmel a couple of days. I wish I could say the photo below was the courtyard of our accomodations but that wouldn't be true. Our place was nice for a several day stay with our own kitchen and small yard but not quite so fancy as this. This was a courtyard we passed while strolling the side streets in Carmel -- pretty much everything there is charming. ( side note i'm still new to this blog thing and even though ANNA told me how i could move my pictures about after they got mixed up in the loading all I succeded in doing was enlarging it so they will appear in random order !)

Makenna says "you want me to smile for the camera really now!" This was actually at the end of the trip, taking a break on a park bench in Carmel. SWIMMING . . . in Pacific Grove-- which i must say i liked much better than Monterey. Water was cold enough to turn your feet to ice cubes but Makenna thought it was just great. Was so great to take her to beach 3 days in a row and when we got back to Roseville made me wish for a beach 2 blocks away instead of the train yard. When the delta breeze kicks ups, i watch the tall grasses bend in the wind, smell the lavender, rosemary, and jasmine in the air and pretend the shore is only a few streets away . . .
Grandmere et Grandpere surveying the beach scene.
Extreme close up of the miss.
A taste of Carmel. This was someones gate into their property and i thought it was so unique and intriguing like going into the secret garden.

A happy foxglove plant in a Carmel planter box. Here we are at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Makenna was happiest at the outside exhibits which unfortunately were few -- she just loved watching the scuba divers-- nice aquarium experience. Think we'll try the Zoo next since they have to have lots of outdoor exhibits. We did love the sea otters and the wave machine.

Here we are trotting down to the beach in Pacific Grove-- just love that red tipped iceplant and the rocky shoreline.

This was the first day at the beach in Carmel-- didn't even notice the water at first the sand was so captivating and there were theses squirrels-- very domesticated that kept coming right up to where we were sitting-- i mean like a few inches away-- hoping for snack but we had nothing.

Makenna and Grandpere pushing the stroller up the hill from the beach into town in Carmel in search of a snack-- gotta love bringing the stroller to use as a pack animal. We did this several times while we were in Carmel-- push the stroller up the hill that is and every time that Dad ( Grandpere) told the story the number of blocks got greater-- maybe he should have been a fishermen. . .
Here she is the fashion plate posing by the sea . . . Seriously what a nice trip . . . The coast is always great and refreshing. something about the crisp air and the sound of the waves. If you've never been to Carmel I highly recommend it-- I am so blessed to have parents close by to be able to share and make possible such great outings. Thanks Mom and Dad. Merci beaucoup pour les vacance!