Pacific Grove - what to like...

The view across the bay from Pacific Grove

I was driving down through the Del Monte forrest

in Pacific Grove,

this view took my breath away

There are so many lovely things to

appreciate in this town

Here are just a few pretty things...

Flowers at Trader Joe's

Sunflowers at Trader Joe's

The pine trees along the walking trails

We picked up Anthony at the airport

on Saturday, July 21, 2012

Anthony and John
San Jose Airport

And now, Anthony is one of the best things

to like in Pacific Grove

Happy to be in Pacific Grove

 

 

 

A Walk in the Neighborhood

The Southern Pacific Trail

It's hard to believe that such a "trail" is just a block away

from our apartment complex

Trails such as this make it easy to want to walk or run

every day, even when it's cold and damp

This is one of the many reasons it's so lovely to live

in Pacific Grove

From afar, it looks like I might have to turn back...

A closer look...
Such a disaster can be beautiful

The fragrance of the broken pine branches,

the moss on large branches of the tree

made for a captivating vision of this majestic pine

As I made my way around the ruins of this fallen tree

the train "station" appears...

it is the end of what was once the
Southern Pacific train ride

to Mrs. Hearst's retreat grounds for her friends...

Asilomar

A replica of the former station

Lots of interesting history just down the street...

"Back in the US of A"

What a good way to start our new adventures

at "home"

It's the 4th of July!!!

Flags abound!

Barbeque chicken and hot dogs

at Caledonia Park, Pacific Grove

Patriots serving good old American food!

*****

but wait,

this is part of our "American Experience", too...

Obon Festival at the Buddist Temple

Seaside, California

On our return, someone said that the culture shock returning

home may be harder than settling in a new country...

I think this may be part of it...

Settling into a routine

Monterey Farmer's Market

We know we are back in Monterey when we go to the Thursday Farmer's Market.

One of the things we enjoyed so much in the South of France

was the Farmer's Market

The local entertainment and the local produce, wine,

 cheeses and butchers' trucks

For some reason, we thought that would be recreated

in the many Farmer's Markets that Monterey County offers

Flowers and fruit abound - it's strawberry season

Music is plentiful here, too

The markets here in Monterey have a whole different feel

We miss getting our favorite cheese and floral honey

We miss tasting the different hard sausages from the sausage vendor

I miss the little table where I could get fresh cheve for €2.50

and where is the blanquette?

The produce is still wonderful here

Flowers and plants are plentiful

It's just different and very American, I guess

Is this what is meant by culture shock?