Carmel by the Sea
Carmel-A Memory by the Seashore
Fiction or Fairytale
One of my favorite places has always been the delightful town of Carmel, California. It is situated on Carmel Bay and often referred to as "Carmel by the Sea". Created at the beginning of the 20th century by a developer who marketed the community to artists, writers and professors, the Village of Carmel is quaintly nestled in a pine forest above the spectacular white-sand beach. Much like the charmed cottages out of a fairytale, each dwelling is a simple, often-handmade cottage nestled in a forest of live oak and Monterrey pines. Its residential streets lack sidewalks and streetlights because both are banned. Instead of street numbers, houses display names like No Worries, Lilliput, or Dog House.
Carmel with Claire
When I was young, fond memories of collecting the ocean’s tiniest shell perfections stands out as a favorite day trip with my Mother. With her huge Jackie-O sunglasses in place, my Mother Claire smiled and lead me down to a sparkling waterfront stage.
The fine grains of warm sand massaged our feet as we walked and finally covered our toes completely as the waves teased us with such a salty spray, serving up a frothy shore lined with treasures from the unknown depths of a little girl’s imagination. My bright hot pink bucket was brimming with the most unique charms from the sea. Smooth driftwood remnants, beautifully colored glass polished by the magically salty water, abalone pieces and intricate little shells, once home to a sea creature. We returned to our motel quite satisfied after a day of shell shopping Carmel style. My Mother never looked so beautiful and I would freeze this moment in time if I could. Ah sweet memories....
My dining palette that night, quite under developed even for a pre-teen, craved something a bit tastier, perhaps sweeter than the ocean served up. The unrecognizable meals listed on the menu, dimly lit by candlelight were of no interest, even if I could pronounce them. Instead my attention was fixated on the appealing dessert tray which circled by us periodically. This brings me to my second Carmel obsession: tiny hand crafted miniature cakes known as petits fours. These tiny French cakes were like none other, and I spent the rest of my summer trying to duplicate, but to my dismay, not even Susie Homemaker could assist.
Storybook Cottages
Sweet Memories
Carmel's Favorite Memory Makers
Where
| Activities
| Distance from Carmel
| Cost
|
---|---|---|---|
Point Lobos State Reserve
| Nature/ Wildlife Areas; State Parks; Beaches; Hiking Trails
| 12.4 miles from city center
| Car is $8 while walk-ins are free
|
Carmel City Beach
| The pristine white sandy beach at Carmel is a nice place for a picnic, to fly a kite or catch the rays
| 0.2 miles from city center
| Free
|
Borromeo del Rio Carmelo Mission
| Missions, Religious Sites, Architectural Buildings, Historic Sites
| 0.8 miles from city center
| Free
|
Carmel Country Inn
| Not only allow pets, but they are actually pet friendly -- providing such luxuries as dog beds, complimentary dog treats and personalized water bowls
| 2.3 miles from city center
| $195 per night and up
|
Chateau Julien
| Wine tasting, Group tours/walking tour
| 6.1 miles from city center
| Free
|
Carmel Valley Ranch Golf Course
| Lush green course has some of the most dramatic tee shots in California.
| 7.0 miles from city center
| Not cheap....
|
Remembering a Fairytale
An original event or a memory, seasoned to my aging taste buds and a need to remember things this way? Like so many experiences that I revisit as an adult, I wonder how much is reality and how much is but a warm-hearted recollection that gives me a sense of well being. In life, we reflect on what we recall, who says it can’t be selective, and more importantly, who cares. I am finding that we create our own traditions and memories, tweeked or otherwise. My cup overflows with grief, pain and regret, I see and hear about so much suffering in our world, my heart is heavy. I focus instead on altered visions in my mind at times, embracing the imagination of innocence, like that of a young girl still unspoiled. Life can be more like a fairytale if we just believe.