More about California...

While we were staying at Treebones Resort, we signed up for a 6 hour hike with an outfitting company.  Actually, we really didn't have to hike so long or so far.  Much of the time was spent driving up and down the coast to different locations.  One of our stops involved hiking in a state park where we were able to see the redwood forest.  The picture above is a little blurry, but it gives you an idea of how big these trees can grow.

 Our guide put together a wonderful lunch for us to enjoy at one of the parks.  

Every curve we took on the coast brought another beautiful vista.  We had a wonderful time with our guide and really learned a lot about Big Sur.

After leaving Treebones Resort, we headed back up the coast.  First we stopped at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve and took a tour of the area.  We also had an opportunity to learn a little bit abut Tide Pools with one of the docents that was working in the park that day.

Then, we headed to Mission Ranch in Carmel.  Mission Ranch is a historic ranch that has 31 unique rooms, many with ocean views and fireplaces.  It was purchased and restored by Clint Eastwood when he heard there were plans to tear the property down and build condos on it.  Today, they still have sheep grazing in the fields.  Below are just a few pictures of the buildings on the property.

We spent one night in this historic 1850's farmhouse.  It was charming.  Below is a picture of the common area inside the farmhouse.  

This is a picture of the outdoor dining area.  

While visiting Carmel, we also had a chance to visit the San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission...otherwise known as the Carmel Mission Basilica.  It was founded in 1771.

Before leaving Carmel, we took one more short trip down the coast to a restaurant that had been recommended by friends.  We had hoped to stop there earlier, but the weather wasn't cooperating so we decided to come back another day.  Nepenthe is a great place...very popular, so you may need to wait for a table, but it's well worth it.  It has a beautiful view of the coast and delicious food.

After our stay in Carmel it was time to head up the coast to Monterey.  Here, we stayed at another AirBnB.  This place was great.  It was tastefully decorated, very comfortable and the owners had lots of good information to share about the area.  Where we stayed was actually part of the original house.  The owners lived in the back where there appeared to be a newer addition.  We highly recommend this place if you decide to visit this area of the state.   

  

We spent four days in Monterey.  We were there to attend the Monterey Jazz Festival and we had a fantastic time.  We took the city bus almost every day which dropped us less than a block from the festival gate. 

We also had the opportunity to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  Our hosts gave us two free passes for free access.

  

Finally, on the way back to the San Jose airport, we stopped at Old Mission San Juan Bautista in San Juan Bautista, Ca.  While there we enjoyed a wonderful lunch in this small historic town.  

What a wonderful trip.  Lance puts so much work into planning every detail.  We are rarely disappointed with the results.    

  

California...And All That Jazz!

(A photo of the California coast on the way to Big Sur)

After leaving The Clearing, Lance and I went "home" to our rented condo on Prospect and Brady for two nights.  We did wash, reorganized our things, and packed up for our next trip to California. 

We flew into San Jose on September 15th, and rented a car for the week.  Our first stop was Pacific Grove which is located on the Monterey Peninsula.  It's a very charming little town, with pretty little historic cottages lining the streets near the ocean.  We stayed in a very nice bed and breakfast, The Old Saint Angela Inn, which is located about a block from the ocean.  

While visiting here, we walked around town, had an opportunity to see a pod of humpback whales feeding in the bay, and visited the farmers market that was being held in town.  We also enjoyed a nice Mexican dinner in town and had a wonderful breakfast at the Inn before taking off the following day.

Next, came the trip down the coast to Big Sur.  If you've never done it, you must add it to your bucket list.  It is breathtakingly beautiful.  My pictures don't do it justice.

       

We were headed toward Treebones Resort to do some glam-camping in a yurt.  It's a great place and I highly recommend it if you are looking for a unique experience.

Above is a picture of our yurt...you can't tell, but it overlooks the ocean. Below are pictures of what it looks like on the inside.  Ours came with a comfortable queen sized bed, futon, small table with chairs, and a sink with hot running water.  There is also a gas fireplace for the chilly nights.  On the ceiling there is a window that can pop open for fresh air.  

The resort also has an organic garden where they grow vegetables for their restaurant.

Below is a picture of the bar that surrounds the deck of the restaurant.  This bar also overlooks the ocean.  There is also a swimming pool and hot tub near this same area.      

   

The bar is a popular place to watch the sunset over the ocean. 

Inside the lodge there is a nice fireplace and dinning room.  You get a free breakfast with your stay.  It includes eggs and waffles.  They also serve lunch and supper.  We had a wonderful meal one evening.       The entire place was lit with candles which made it look very pretty.  

More about our California trip will be in our next post. 

The Clearing

Sunday, we departed the Spring Green area and headed northeast toward Door County.  We had signed up for a week of classes at The Clearing.  The Clearing is a folk school established by Jens Jensen back in 1935.  Jens Jensen was a landscape architect who worked in the Chicago area.  He is known for his "prairie style" design work.  Jensen built the school in Ellison Bay to train future landscape architects.

Today, people come to take classes such as weaving, painting, woodcarving, writing or exploring nature.  You can take a workshop for a day or spend an entire week.  There are charming cabins on the property and a beautiful lodge where students can gather and all meals are served.  There are no T.V.'s and limited wifi service.  At The Clearing you go to "clear" your mind.
   

We stayed here in the professor's quarters.  We had to climb a steep staircase (inside the building) to our room.  Lance and I had a gorgeous view of the lake.

Everyday a bell rings at 7:00 A.M. to warn you that breakfast will be served in a half hour.  After we are seated one of the five staff members who help to run the school, or the teachers they have hired for the week, present a short reading.  

Each breakfast begins with a warm bowl of oatmeal and an assortment of toppings...some kind of fruit, brown sugar, butter, honey, cinnamon and milk.  Then, depending on the day, we would be severed eggs, potatoes, bacon, pancakes, etc.  What a feast!  Our lunches and suppers where equally delightful.  It was truthfully some of the best cooking I have ever tasted.  All the meals were hearty, flavorful, and filling.  I heard from one guest that some people come just for the food that they serve.

Every meal people would sit someplace new so they could meet the other guests and learn about what they were doing in their classes.  I think that was my favorite part...talking and sharing with the other guests.  Speaking of guests, 80% of the people return...some of them have come for the last 20 or more years. The majority are women, but there were some men present as well.

 Lance and I took a class called, "The Winds of Change."  We had 8 students in our class and our fearless leader, Deb.  We spent part of each day outside exploring nature and seeing some beautiful sights in Door County.  We also viewed videos, heard readings, held discussions, and wrote reflections.

Here are 7 of the 8 students in our class.  From left to right is...Herman, John, Roberta, Leigh, Deb and Gail.  Standing behind the first row is Lance and me.  Unfortunately, Cliff missed being in the photo.

This is a picture of Deb, our teacher, and Lance.

On Wednesday, a terrible storm blew into town.  The entire area lost power for about 2 and a half hours.  No problem...we just lit some candles and carried on.  The lights were back on before we went to sleep.  When we awoke, summer was gone and fall had arrived to take it's place.

Thursday we had the afternoon off and took advantage by going to see some friends who were staying at a farm house near Egg Harbor.  We all went for dinner together and saw a play in Fish Creek.

This was also the day that Lance started to have some problems with his tooth.  He called his dentist to get some medication, but by Thursday evening he was in a lot of pain and the meds weren't helping.  Friday morning we finally found a dentist to check out the situation.  They began the first steps of a root canal, but he will need follow-up work when we return from California.  We just have to hope he makes it through next week.  

Friday night everyone gathered at the school house for "show and tell."  The painters talked about what they had learned and displayed their work...

and the weavers explained the process of weaving and showed what they had achieved.

Our class also presented a short program and video.  In addition, there were several people who came for independent study and they talked about their projects.   Afterward, we all gathered at the lodge for punch and cake.

On Saturday we ate our final breakfast and said, "good bye" to all our new friends.

Lance and I loved The Clearing.  We met some wonderful people and had a great time.  Perhaps we will return some day.  I hope so.  

We are taking two days to re-group in Milwaukee, and then we are off to California.   When we return it will be time for the Milwaukee Film Festival.  Retirement sure is great!