Carmel

 Last Tuesday, after my run, Linda and I left for Carmel.  We talked to Paul and he warned us about the traffic.  However, we had no difficulty  on our  journey.  We called Tony and wished him a happy birthday as he reached the youthful 72 years of age.  We also called Gwen around the Dublin area. and made plans to visit her and Bill on our  way back.  Tony and I, years ago, stayed with them before one of our  ultra runs, in the East Bay, likely Fremont or at Lake Chabot.

We passed  Mount  Hamilton, the home of  Dan Barger’s  Mustang Classic, where I met Tony and Jeff and was introduced to Ride and Tie.  After leaving San Jose, we passed Coyote. About 40 years ago, I met Veryl , a Saskatchewan born cowboy , bought my first horse named Nowata,  was introduced to border collies, went on many trail rides and participated in my first round up. Also, In this area was my first Ride and Tie-at Quicksilver.  During those competitions.  I met a number of individuals and formed meaningful relationships with Jerome, Linda, my Western states partner, and Jonathan.  For additional  information consult, It Has Nothing to Do With Age.

Entering the Seaside area, I recalled riding on the beach with my border collie and lab.  Wonderful memories.  We then reached Carmel, unpacked and met our host Philip.  He had a number of suggestions and we told him we were headed for Nepenthe at Big Sur.  He agreed that it was a wise choice.  Reaching that fabulous location, with my Michigan cap,  I met Isah, a fellow Michigan grad , and we talked about the current football season.  Even though the Wolverines are ranked number two in the nation, he was concerned about the upcoming game with Penn State at their  Happy Valley location.  We both agreed that that game would tell us more about the season and the hope for a national championship. We had a spectacular shared salmon dinner and the drive  both ways, along Highway 1 was spectacular, breathtaking and beautiful.

The next morning we shared  breakfast in the warm sun at the Stationary  restaurant in Carmel.  We window shopped and then headed for the sea at the foot of Ocean blvd.  We found a place to park close to the beach, and took off our socks and shoes .  We met a young man who liked my Corvette . We engaged in conversation .Mark was a nurse and we talked about the hazards and difficulties with our current health insurance system.  We conversed about the abuses and the obstacles that overweight , unhealthy people are facing.  Linda and I then headed toward the Pacific and listened to the pounding waves, blue skies looking for dolphins.  We found some rocks and headed toward them for a place to sit down.  We were joined by two individuals, one a Michigan grad. Once again my Michigan cap  sparked an encounter. That of course led to Michigan football in the Big House.  She intends to take her partner to the Big House and he is ready to go.  We also talked about the 49ers and the Raiders.  We had a delightful interaction with them and enjoyed this spectacular setting.

Then we headed for Pebble Beach and the golf links.  We started at Spyglass and then found our way to the Hay for  a practice round of putting.  Linda was spectacular in her ability to sink those puts. Linda was introduced to a new putter by Mike who told her that this new putter is about 30 years old and designed for more accuracy.  Linda was impressed and wanted to talk to Sean at the Ridge for more information.  After leaving the Seventeen Mile Dr., we headed back to our abode and got ready for dinner.

For dinner, we decided on seafood and found a terrific place in town.   We didn't have reservations but were seated anyway. At the Flying Fish , we shared a wonderful artichoke appetizer and Yin Yang Salmon dinner delightfully arranged on two separate plates.  We thoroughly enjoyed that dinner and intend to visit again.  We did more window shopping after dinner and returned to our nighttime  location.

The next day we headed for our meeting with Gwen and Bill in Dublin.  She served a delicious brunch and we sat outside reminiscing about old times.  We initially met them when they bought a second home In Cool years ago. Gwen became a riding partner for Linda and they went on many trail rides.  We had  numerous dinners together , met family and enjoyed their company.  Bill's parents were missionaries in China and unfortunately this year has been difficult for both Gwen, with her back surgeries, and their daughter who has a bipolar diagnosis and has difficulty staying on her meds.  We met her two-year-old daughter Charity who was playing the guitar.  Bill and I discussed mental health and he thought we needed more therapists and suggested that educational and training requirements might be shortened in order to attract more therapists.  I disagreed and told him that it was important for a therapist to have a broad educational, cultural, and educational background.  I agreed that mental health problems are rising and difficult to treat.  I also told him that this country with all its problems has many crazies and helping people adjust also ,at times, seems insane . 

After leaving our friends, we headed for Ghirardelli  chocolate near Stockton.  Tony and I, after many ultra runs  in the Bay Area, would also have our reward at this location.  Linda and I shared a hot fudge sundae sitting outside enjoying the taste.  Linda bought other chocolates and we headed home after that reward.  We picked up Teddy and made  our way home.

During our stay in Carmel, a quote  by Anne Morrow Lindbergh  from her " Gift from the Sea."  We Americans, with our terrific emphasis on youth, action and material success, certainly tend to belittle the afternoon of life and even pretend it never comes. “ The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence, said Einstein.