Is this November weather?!

Charlton and I are really taking advantage of this great weather.  It was so warm today that we didn't even need our jackets.  Since Charlton and I have been reading a lot of books about fall, its beautiful colors and fantastic holidays that happen to be celebrated during this season, we decided it was the perfect time to visit the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco where fall is in bloom.

I love everything about this garden - the mesmerizing smells of the azaleas and wisteria flowers, the visual magic of the greenery that surrounds you while walking and thinking, the tranquility that the landscape architecture brings within your soul, the regal lanterns and statues spread out with elegance all over the garden, colorful leaves of the Japanese maple trees adorning the many waterfalls, the over 100 years old gorgeous Pagoda situated amidst bonsai trees and a very serene zen garden, and Charlton's favorite - the drum bridge - a perfect half circle bridge that belonged to the original Japanese Village which was established in 1894 for the California Midwinter International Exhibition (World's Fair).  In actuality, most of the trees, statues, lanterns, and even the Pagoda belonged to that 1894 Japanese Village, and it was later owned privately.  During WWII, a lot of the trees and plants were damaged, but later it was donated to the city of San Francisco and it has been maintained ever since.  Today it is part of the Golden Gate Park.  This is a stop to never forget. I personally could stay here all day, and everyday.

After having some lunch, we ended our garden tour, and headed toward another "international" destination - the Dutch Windmills located by the Ocean View beach.  There area two of these giants next to each other.  They don't function any more, but in 1902 when they were built they used to pump 1 1/2 million gallons of water daily!  They do need some polishing, but Charlton and I loved them nonetheless.  I read that during March/April is the best time to visit, since the gardens that surround them are filled with tulips, and you truly have a Dutch experience then.We walked around the area where we found several lakes and ponds that made us not want to leave.

Since the beach was across the windmills, and I had promised Charlton he could play in the sand, we headed toward my favorite beach in San Francisco - the Ocean View Beach.  There are several nice restaurants nearby, gorgeous views of the mountains, rocks turned white from seagull droppings, tens of seagulls resting on the warm sand, deliciously soft sand, and most of all a breathtaking horizon where the open wide skies meet the ocean.  You could spend all day here too!

Charlton loved drawing on the sand, walking alongside the beach, dipping his toes in the water, chasing birds, and finding sea shells.  We had to pick up the older kids from school, take Charlton to swimming class, and Gillian to her piano lesson, so we had to cut short our beach revery.  It truly wasn't fair to Charlton to not stay longer, but duty called.  I promised him I would bring him with his siblings next time and they could play all day.

What a blessing to see my children grow up enchanted with this beautiful life!

Cold beach, warm hearts

After having spent a very hot 4th of July sweating and not wanting to do anything, except taste Elijah's out-of-this-world ice-cream, we decided to take off on the 5th and enjoy some of the scenery and the cool air that Carmel and Pebble Beach have to offer.  Elijah accompanied us, and that made our excursion even better. Unfortunately, the sky looked overcast, and we felt a bit chilly when we got there.  You can never know with this California weather.

My intention was to take the family down to Carmel and follow the route that the 17-mile drive along Pebble Beach, with its various points of interest, suggests.  The scenery was truly stunning and the combination of ocean waves, rocks, trees, bushes, and wind was breathtaking.  My favorite aspect of this whole touristy drive was the affect that the salty wind had on the environment.  There was a beautiful contrast between green Cypress trees with their often white barks, and black and white rocks mingling with each other, and even more stunning the white foam of the constant waves pushing its way through irregularly shaped rocks and opaque sand.  I understood why these parts of the Pacific coast with their dramatic fall and treasured landmarks were thought of as some of the most beautiful scenes in the world.

Pescadero Point

Stillwater Point

The Ghost Tree

 

The Lone Cypress

(This California Cypress has resisted wind and waves alone for more than 250 years.)

Cypress Point Lookout

Fanshell Overlook

(The seals come here in spring to bear their young.  There were black, grey and white harbor seals, bathing on the rocks or swimming in the water, undisturbed by waves or wind.  They looked like they were having a relaxing time.)

Spyglass Hill Golf Course

(Pebble Beach is known for its world-class golf courses, which have been used for various U.S Golf Championships)

Bird Rock

(Myriads of shorebirds, harbor seals and sea lions all hanging out together.)

 During the whole trip, in every stop, the kids had fun playing in the beach, getting wet in the water, finding shells, climbing rocks, and pointing at the vibrant mix of birds and marina.

We ended the 17-mile drive at the Pacific Grove exit, from where we drove along Monterey Bay.  We stopped at Lover's Point, to let the kids swim, play, run and eat.  The weather was cool and absolutely not suited for swimming, but the kids didn't care.  The wind might have been blowing, and the water might have been cold, but we were together and our hearts knitted together kept us warm.