Carmel-By-The-Sea, California – 8/25/2014 – http://fulltimetimeshare.com/blog

AUGUST 25, 2014 (Monday)

Woke up to another beautiful day. The fog cleared early and the sun is shining bright. We lazed around having breakfast and tea. We debated what we wanted to do and decided to try again to see the whales in Carmel.

Around 12:30 PM, we headed out to Carmel By the Sea. Carmel was crowded but there was still plenty of parking spots. We got one really close to the entrance to the beach and the boardwalk area. We walked a little ways down onto the beautiful white sands, then walked down the boardwalk to the observation deck. We watched for awhile, got the binoculars out, and saw some water spouts. I even saw a huge whale breach the surface, but only the one time. Was so cool. Loved it. Wish they were a little closer but to be able to see them at all was really neat.

Pretty homes and grounds, though the drought is obvious.

This fellow had a handicap sticker, hmmmm.

Pretty trees. — Driving down Ocean Ave, the water looked like it rose as if a tall hill in the distance.

They truck the white sand in every month or so.

We saw many spouts and Edie saw a breech. — We saw many spouts and Edie saw a breach.

After watching for quite awhile, we drove up and got another parking spot and walked around for awhile. Michael wanted to eat lunch at a place he had met his deceased first wife at in the 1970’s. It used to be a bar but now it’s a restaurant/bar. It’s now called Porta Bella. Nice place. We were seated in a garden/patio area which was very cozy and comfortable. The food was okay. Michael ordered a warm chicken salad, which was excellent. It had nectarines and the best toasted walnuts ever. I had a chicken pita sandwich. It was okay but rather bland. I wish I had gotten the same salad as Michael.

Headed back up Ocean Ave. We were hungry and planned to go back down for Scenic Drive, our favorite. — Headed back up Ocean Ave. We were hungry and planned to go back down to Scenic Drive, our favorite.

We chose a place to eat, parked and walked, passing fun stores and hotels.

Went by City Hall, Clint's old place of business. — Went by City Hall, Clint’s old place of business.

We decided the hand rails were our favorite.

Excellent bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar

Edie ate less than half her pita bread with chicken and avocado plus fries and then gave the rest to me.

I ate a little more than half my warm chicken salad with raspberry vinaigrette and then gave the rest to Edie.

Friends own this store, Bittner's Stationary. If you ever want a $10,000. pen. — Friends own this store, Bittner’s Stationery. If you ever want a $10,000. pen.

One of our favorite views, but the trees and slowly taking it away. — One of our favorite views, but the trees are slowly taking it away.

After lunch we walked a little more and then headed home. Michael needed to help Lexi find her Social Security card for her new job (yahoo). She started it today for training but has to show the card in order to work tomorrow.

That has been our day. Hope yours was great!