Monday, November 17, 2014

on the road again . . .


Steve and I took off for a long weekend last Thursday morning and we asked ourselves why it has been so long since we have taken a road trip.


We realized that this little girl is why we haven't gone away - KC was watching Lulu for us and we are told that there was an excess of moping.


Our first stop was Carmel where we stayed at L'Auberge.


We were greeted with house made sea salt caramels ( yes, we bought extras! ), incredible trail mix that came in handy on the road, a bottle of wine and a birthday card for me.


I don't know how Steve found L'Auberge, but I am glad he did.


The setting was a lovely beginning to our weekend.


We had an attic room - our room is the one with the lights.


We had time for a quick walk before dinner, but the light was changing and this cute restaurant was the only photo I was able to get.


The fence on this cute cottage, directly across the street from L'Auberge, is fun.


It was just 4 blocks to the beach so we took a stroll before we began our long drive up the coast to Fort Bragg.


Carmel is the epitome of a quaint little town.


Every single house has lovely details - no cookie cutter homes in Carmel!


I love the stone path and the wrought iron gates on this house


and the balcony looking over the garden is gorgeous.


It was a beautiful day on the beach and we would have enjoyed a stroll along the sand, 


but we had a long trek, almost to the top of California, ahead of us.


So we headed back up Ocean Avenue to the hotel.


Steve teased me about stopping to take pictures, but I love the cut out in the green gate.


The sun was shining on this yellow gate so my picture isn't great, but I love the heart cut out.


Flowers were blooming everywhere although one woman told us that Carmel is suffering from the drought just like much of California and that they are trucking water into town.


Right next to L'Auberge is City Hall which is where Clint Eastwood spent his time when he served as mayor of Carmel.


I love the railing along the steps.


Our walk was short so my pictures do not even give a glimpse to the beautiful cottages of Carmel - it is definitely worth a visit.

51 comments:

  1. Carol, I love each and every picture you posted. What a wonderful road trip. You Steve did very well taking this route. Love the sweet hotel. I think every house being different beats cookie cutter always. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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  2. Your pictures are wonderful. I love Carmel with all the beautiful homes and quaint streets.
    Next time I go up to visit my son I have a list of places I want to go to, which is Carmel to that wonderful restaurant if it is still there and to Moss Landing for fresh fish. You can get clam chowder there and some fish and chips and eat it out on the patio. Nothing fancy, but terrific food.
    So glad that you were able to get away. I know that lulu missed you.So glad that you are feeling better Carol.
    Mary

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  3. What a really beautiful trip. I have always wanted to visit Carmel. You have made me want to see it now even more! :)

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  4. A birthday card? Happy Birthday sweet lady! It is the most beautiful place to spend a long weekend. Love your photos and I'm so glad you had a good time and a special birthday! Sweet hugs, Diane

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  5. It is my dream to visit Carmel. I've wanted to live there ever since I read Danielle Steele's Summer's End in the 70s. Sigh...

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  6. What a charming place...:) Happy (belated) Birthday sweet friend! It looks like you had a lovely time on your road trip. Sadie keeps us grounded too. I am planning a trip to see Miranda this weekend, but Joey will stay home with Sadie. I am sure she would pout if we both left her. LOL! Have a lovely week!

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  7. So charming. I will put this on my bucket list for sure. How special to get away and spend the night there. Happy Birthday Sweet Friend.
    Kris

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  8. Happy Birthday! Wow what a beautiful place Carmel is! I remember the beach and how quaint the town is! Thanks for sharing your photos. Glad you had a nice getaway for your birthday.
    Julie

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  9. What a fun getaway! Beautiful photos, too, Carol! I have fond memories of visiting lovely Carmel!

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  10. Happy birthday. What a sweet hubby you have. Carmel loks so beautiful. Just had California on the news about the drought. They showed maps of underground where the farmers are getting their water for their crops and depleting the water tables. Hopefully Mother Nature will help out. Hope you are feeling better.

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  12. I have seen pictures of Carmel before, but haven't ever visited it. It looks beautiful. I think the homes look like storybook cottages. Glad that you had a good time.

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  13. Good evening Carol! I am a bit late; I stayed at school tonight for a very special awards ceremony that I was invited to by a former student who honored me for being an inspirational teacher. I am enjoying my visit here with you, as you know this is my honeymoon spot and Ruben said he'd take me there this SUMMER!!!!!! I can't wait to go back and I am following your footsteps here. What a place this is. It's like a fairytale that you open and walk into, and get lost in and don't want to end. And Lulu..teehee...MOPING, HUH? I can just see it. Big hugs and glad to hear you are on the MOVE AGAIN! Anita

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  14. My husband went there and told me that I would love it.... Now I see why!! Seeing it through your eyes makes me want to go now as it is 12 degrees here!! Happy birthday to you pal!!! Steve did good in this one!! I would love to stay at that little place he found... Goodness is that charming!! Like a fairytale!! Happy travels you! Nicole xo

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  15. beautiful pictures. I can't believe I didn't take any the last time we were there. Yours make me long for home (Sonoma CA), which I don't usually do. thanks for the tour.

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  16. Happy Birthday! Looks like a lot of fun! I haven't been there in years! That's sad news that they're having to truck water in. I sure hope El Nino comes through this year and for a few to come. We sure need it!

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  17. I've been to Carmel and it is a quaint town. Happy birthday! What a great way to spend it...your photos are always so pretty. I love the shape of the yellow gate...and might have to replicate it next summer. It's a tease to see the warm weather since it is freeing here in IL :-{

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  18. When my son and I traveled the coast this past summer, we took the 17 mile drive but didn't have time to actually drive through Carmel...maybe next time! I was just so excited to be able to walk on the 18th green at Pebble Beach that I felt like I landed in heaven! Hope you really enjoyed your trip. Looking forward to seeing photos of the northern portion :) Blessings, Cindy

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  19. L'Auberge sure looks like it was a magical enchanting place ... I have a real weakness for Fleur de Sel caramels!!! Carol so glad you're "on the move again".
    Didn't know it was your birthday, what a delightful celebration Steve planned for you. Happy Birthday and wishes for a wonderful fun filled year. Loved your photos especially the gates, quaint and charming getaway and so deserved!
    xoxo

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  20. Happy Birthday!! What a charming place to go on your getaway together. Beautiful photos.
    ~Cindy

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  21. Oh How beautiful!
    I'd love a trip off someplace beautiful!
    This is a lovely little town you've shown us... I wondered if you were going to mention Clint Eastwood. ;)
    Oh...and
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

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  22. I loved every photo!!!! It has been a long time since I have been to Carmel! Thank you so much for the 'visit!' Fort Bragg IS a long way up! My daughter, Summer, and I flew into San Francisco last October and drove up the coast. We stayed in Fort Brag and it was COLD!!!
    Loved getting to travel along with y'all through your blog!!! Oh, the places I get to GO!!

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  23. Love all of the pictures. Beautiful town. I would have been taking pictures too. Looks like a lovely start to your trip.

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  24. danke für die wunderschönen bilder und inspirationen!!! liebe grüße und einen schönen dienstag von angie

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  25. Hi Carol, what a lovely weekend road trip. I love the cottages and those gates with the cut outs are so charming.
    Looks like a grand time in Carmel.
    Happy Birthday!!
    xo

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  26. What a lovely getaway!! Some of your photos look like you were visiting a European town. I'm not sure you could have torn me away from that fabulous hotel!!
    What a perfect weekend!
    Mary Alice

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  27. What a lovely and well deserved trip! Enjoy! Carmel is gorgeous!
    hugs,
    Linda

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  28. I love the pictures and what a nice trip to go on. I have seen Carmel in magazines and would love to visit.

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  29. I absolutely adore Carmel. My late husband and I visited many times when we lived in California. It's such a special place; loads of old world charm. I keep telling Dennis we need to go there, and how much he would enjoy painting the scenes. Some day. Thanks for sharing this, Carol. So many great memories flooding my mind right now. Hugs, Nancy

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  30. From your photos, I can see that Carmel has loads of wonderful character!

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  31. Love the pictures and teasing or not I am glad that you got some of those cutouts in the doors.

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  32. This is not the first post I read about Carmel and it looks like such a pretty town.

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  33. What a beautiful place. Your photos are wonderful. It sure makes me want to visit that great state. I hope you are doing well.

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  34. Every picture would make the perfect postcard, it looks so pretty and what a great place to stay - I'd dearly love to visit !

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  35. I am drooling over your photos! The place you stayed at is gorgeous. And the pictures of Carmel and the ocean are swoon-worthy. I don't have to tell you (since I've already told you so many times) where I want to be instead of here. ;-)

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  36. I'm so happy that you were able to get away with your best beau. Everybody needs that every now and then. Your photos were beautiful and what a charming hotel.
    Happy Birthday!
    Connie xx

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  37. Oh my goodness, I got to visit Carmel once, many years ago, and the time was spent at the beach. I see I missed a lot. I adore that "driftwood" looking fence. Tell Steve we appreciate the photos!!

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  38. Beautiful.
    We had friends who use to live in the Carmel area. They loved it.
    They now live in Duluth, MN. ;-)

    Beautiful photos. I love the doors with the cut outs.
    Carla

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  39. Happy Birthday, Carol!
    I have wine country and Carmel as first stops when Mr D and I retire in three years. California is such a beautiful state.

    Thank you for sharing your wonderful images and...kudos to Steve for planning such a fabulous get a way!

    How precious is your LuLu!
    ~Lynne
    w/L.

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  40. Happy Birthday, Carol!
    I have wine country and Carmel as first stops when Mr D and I retire in three years. California is such a beautiful state.

    Thank you for sharing your wonderful images and...kudos to Steve for planning such a fabulous get a way!

    How precious is your LuLu!
    ~Lynne
    w/L.

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  41. This sounds and looks beautiful, thank you for sharing. Happy (belated) birthday :)

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  42. HALLO Carol ,
    I am so happy when some-one reacts on what I wrote on my blog.
    I always wonder if it is to be understood . I like to write about my process as you like to write about your home and your traveling.
    My new me , there willalways be lots of old-me but that is the past . In the present I have no idea what my destination is / will be .
    It looks like traveling too but in a whole other way.
    For some-one ( me ) who needs control it is a huge challenge to have no control anymore .
    I feel like off-balance most of the time .
    one side are the old habits and they are very present ,and than I realise ..... oh no ..... not the old way .... I am suppost to act different .... things have to change ....
    There are always things happening in my life , things I used to say NO to , because I did ... and now is the time to let go fear and be surprised .
    My blog is called BY SURPRISE because I love surprises I see in nature , in people .
    on the other hand I do not like to be surprised as in overtaking ..
    well ...not easy to explain in another language .
    I am learning to be open for new things and I am doing okay ..
    have a wonderful trip . Thank you for sharing !

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  43. Carmel is an adorable little town. I was only there for a couple of hours on a trip from L.A. to San Francisco, but I would love to return. I am glad that you enjoyed your trip. Traveling is good for the soul and a source of great inspiration.

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  44. It's been too long since I spent time in Carmel, thanks for reminding me of what an amazing little town it is. Hope your trip up to Fort Bragg was just as beautiful.

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  45. What beautiful homes! Happy Birthday!
    Brenda

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  46. WOW!! What a time of your life. Carmel looks so charming and so beautiful!

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  47. We stayed at that Inn too! It's been a while, but we spent three weeks in California and went to several of the 'seven sisters' inns. we then drove up north as well to Mendocino.

    Happy belated birthday Carol! Sounds like you had a good one.

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  48. Carmel is one of the most magical places on earth, and your photos really brought it to life for me on a gloomy morning in the PNW. Thank you for that. I'm glad you had the opportunity to go, relax, breathe it all in.

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  49. Belated birthday wishes! Steve found you both a great place to stay! I enjoyed seeing the beach and Carmel too. Hope you have a fantastic break. Sarah x

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  50. Happy belated birthday to you! What lovely pictures. John and I were in Carmel back in 1972! He had to go to Ft Ord for two weeks and we tried to do sight seeing in the evenings and on weekends. We haven't been back but I remember how quaint and beautiful it was there. These images brought back sweet memories so thank you.

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  51. Happy Belated birthday. What an awesome road trip. Loved all the pictures and the hotel. Lucky you!
    Looks like there might have been a theme. .. cut outs on the gates and the wavy fences and rails.
    May have to convince the husband that one of our trips when we retire needs to be to Carmel.
    Thanks for sharing

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