Thursday, June 24, 2010

THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST

                                             BIG SUR
                              CALIFORNIA REDWOODS
                             CARMEL BEACH, AT SUNSET

Just returned from a 10 day vacation, driving along the beautiful California Coast, where we saw the magnificent Redwoods in Northern CA; stopped in Sausalito for breakfast; drove over the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco; had dinner along Cannery Row in Monterrey, then stayed in Carmel.  We drove through Big Sur and stopped at Nepenthe for brunch.  Then on to San Simeon, land of Hearst's Castle, to collect moonstones on Moonstone Beach at Cambria Pines.  We took our dog Boomer with us, and we had a grand time.  Each time Corbett and I return to the Northern California Coast are spirits are renewed by the beauty and tranquility.  Visiting the redwoods is a spiritual journey in itself.  These magnificent trees can tower to a height of 350 feet, and  they can be thousands of years old. Walking among these giants, smelling the dampness of the fog, and experiencing the absolute stillness of the forest is for me, an experience of transcendence and the divine.

10 comments:

Blue Sky Dreaming said...

Oh, you were traveling in my back yard! I'm over in Santa Cruz and agree with you on the Redwoods...sometimes I go for a walk and sit and just feel the majesty of these great ones. Nepenthe...the best! Glad you feel renewed!

Anonymous said...

Lovely photos and post, Cynthia. They bring back memories of that magical area - but it's many years since we travelled there.

Caterina Giglio said...

It has been a looong time since I lived in CA, thanks for taking me back!

Cynthia Monica said...

Mary Ann, I didn't realize you were in Santa Cruz! What a lovely place to live. My sister and her husband have a beach house in Aptos. How lucky you are to live in such beauty and splendor!

Jane, You are right it is a magical area...we had planned to move to Monterrey from S. Calif, but somehow ended up in Oregon...but I can't complain, it is beautiful here!

Cat, Oh, I didn't know you lived in CA...how fun to find out such things by blogging....seems we all have experiences and places we can relate to!

Willy. said...

Cynthia,
Golden gate,California Coast, the Redwoods, old memories........
grtngs from Gent,Willy.

merci33 said...

It has been years since I have walked among those majestic Standing Ones, and then just as a brief visitor yet your photos and descriptions made me feel the connection.
How great that Boomer got to journey with you...can you imagine what 'dog heaven' those towering giants must provide!

Cynthia Monica said...

Greetings Willy...Amazing that you are so far away geographically, yet you have experienced these wonderful places..we all have so much in common that we don't even know about!

Iona...thanks for visiting and yes, Boomer was such fun on our trip...this is the first time she came with us and she was a trooper!

ArtPropelled said...

I've read about Carmel so often. It looks beautiful.

Cynthia Monica said...

Robin...It is the most enchanting place...

cconz said...

Now this is a trip i really want to take. The redwoods are high on my list. Great pictures. Never been northwest.I'm over due.Thanks for stopping by.