Carmel-by-the-Sea

I’m still trying to get used to the idea that this trip is over.  We visited Monterey and Santa Cruz (camping) last summer, but this year Erik’s dad treated us to 5 days in Carmel.  It was amazing.  The weather was cool and it was a great way to wrap up a busy summer.

The drive from Minden took us about 7 hours.  Once we arrived at the house we couldn’t wait to get down to the beach, which was peeking at us from the backyard.  “Our” house was very close to the trailhead for a state beach park and so we had a beautiful hike down to an almost private sandy beach.

The house/yard

First evening on our beach:

The next day we went to Asilomar beach.  We saw this beach last year when we were tide-pooling. Besides being beautiful it had some potential for waves.  When we got there we saw loads of surfers in wetsuits in the water.  The waves were great for bodyboarding and bodysurfing.  Erik was in the water all day and I got my share of fun too.  The water was cold and only Svea really got in the water the whole vacation.  However, all the kids had fun playing in the powder fine sand and trying out their new kites.

Asilomar on a sunny day (it was overcast for most of our stay)

Liv couldn’t keep her fingers out of the soft sand

Svea flying the Princess kite

Svea is a fish.  She would stay in the water until her teeth were chattering and lips were blue:

Svea gets it from her Dad.  Erik snorkeled, swam, bodyboarded and bodysurfed all day long

On Monday we drove over to Santa Cruz to visit the Boardwalk.  The weather was beautiful and we played until everyone was worn out.  Svea will ride anything!  Liv loved the kiddie rides, especially Bulgy the Killer Whale.  Soren had fun too, even riding the Giant Dipper, although he said afterward “I hate myself for doing that”.  That coaster is fun but it does bang you up a little bit!

Soren waiting for the Dipper

I could not believe that Soren agreed to do the big coaster.  As we were waiting in line he said that he “felt sick”.  I thought for sure that he would turn back at the last minute, but he got on.  After the ride I asked if he had fun.  He said “I am really mad at myself for doing that.” So, he is less cautious than he was as a little kid, but still not going to set any land speed records.

Liv & Papa on the Pepsi Convoy

Liv right after Logger’s Revenge (“the water slide”):

 

Svea & Papa on the Ferris Wheel – Svea suggested that they go on the ferris wheel and Papa said that she was not nervous of the heights and enjoyed the ride.

Everyone was exhausted after the excitement of the Boardwalk, so we decided on a relaxing day at Del Monte beach in Monterey.  There were no surfable waves so it was a nice day to sit and enjoy the beautiful Monterey Bay.  The kids were able to fly kites and build sand castles.

Great beach access and almost no one on this pretty beach

Flying kites

Enjoying the beach

 

On Wednesday we visited the world famous Monterey Bay aquarium.  It was amazing.  The only thing I would change would be to get rid of the crowds.  It was crammed with people.  We had lunch outside and were able to watch sea lions, seals and sea birds enjoy the bay while we ate.  We loved the ocean Sunfish and the sea otters.

We decided to spend our last few hours on the coast at the beach by our house.  Erik snorkled and picked up some sea stars for the kids to look at.  Liv and Soren played in the sand while Svea (as always) got right into the cold water.  Larry and I both got in some bodysurfing as well.

It was a great trip.  We are so grateful to Larry for making the trip happen and we can’t wait for next year!