On any given day you can expect good weather in the
Monterey/Carmel area during July through October. But in February can you
expect GREAT weather? I would have said no before this weekend. I am writing this on a patio overlooking the pool where there has been activity since 8 am. It is gorgeous. The golf course was beautiful as we sat outside and drank our lattes and cappuccinos. Ben kept a close
eye on the 17th green!
Yesterday we spent time walking along Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey,
had lunch at an amazing sports Bar at the Hotel called Knuckles. (I think we counted 25 big screen TVs!)
Then we had massages and rested until cocktail time in the lobby.
Then the fun really began. We were whisked away in the
biggest limousine I had ever seen, an Excursion stretch, and were taken to the
Carmel Highlands Inn to eat dinner at Pacific’s Edge Restaurant. This
experience deserves its own space. The restaurant itself is so beautiful with panoramic
windows and wall size black and white Carmel coast photographs that they really
don’t even need to serve great food.
Not the case here! We started with a
Hearts of Palm salad that was incredible. My second course was seared scallops
on top of I don’t know but great! Our main course was Sea Bass that the Resort
Manager, JP Doepke, told us was caught that day! The Bass was served with an
Alexander Valley Pinot Noir that was just right. We then finished with a panna cotta
with some kind of crunch crisp that was very unique and tasty!
What a fabulous time and it is not over, it looks like
another beautiful day on the ocean and many more activities.
Heading to breakfast on the patio . . .
By the end of the day everybody was reading Local Happenings Magazine!
I was able to get through Friday afternoon. We drove in
gorgeous weather to Monterey, checked into the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Spa on
Old Golf Course Rd. and sat outside sipping on Cosmopolitans next to the 17th
green. (I believe that it was about 78 degrees and Saturday’s weather is
looking like it will rival that.)
Next up, we dressed for dinner and went to Tusca Ristorante
for dinner. (No driving since the restaurant is located inside the hotel.) Then
we had more cocktails, wine and a fabulous dinner. I had seared scallops on a
bed of risotto. Robert had the Osso Bocco with scallops, Gary had the seafood
pasta and Regina had . . . she ate it so fast, never saw what she had!
I guess you are getting the hint that Friday started the
weekend off with a bang and I don’t see it getting any worse than that since we
will be lounging in Monterey today and going to Pacific Edge at the Hyatt Carmel
Highlands for another great dinner.
Did I mention that we would be getting massages this
afternoon . . .
Ben made himself cozy next to the fireplace!
There is a fine line between work and play when you have
your own business. I work 24/7, 365 days
of the year. Now, of course I do have down time but at all times, at any given moment I have to
represent my company. Starting today, to most people I will be
going off and having a short vacation, but in reality I have to work for the
next five days just on location for a story. I will be arriving in Monterey
this afternoon and then moving over to Carmel on Sunday for two more days. I
will be touring, networking and enjoying one of the most beautiful places in
the country so that I can bring that location to you, our readers. Be sure to
check the story out in our June/July issue.
Our first travel piece will be featuring Mendocino in our
April/May issue and we are excited to bring these destinations to you. (Pictured here is Ben and I on the Mendocino Headlands.) On any
given moment here in the Bay Area we are only one to two hours away from some
of the most beautiful cities and towns not just in the country, but in the
world. I will be sending some photos and posts daily so you can keep up with
me. Why not send some thoughts on where you would like us to visit. We could
tell the story of your dream trip, so let us know.
This weekend there is still lots to do right here in your
own backyard. Downtown Benicia Main Street will be hosting their annual
Gal-A-Palooza so be sure to head down First Street and visit the retail stores
and spas for some pampering. A pedicure sounds good!
Whatever you do, get out of the house and enjoy this
fabulous weather!
I can’t believe that it is February! This weather is unreal.
I somehow feel we will be paying for this at some later date, but for now I’m
loving it. Yesterday as I sat outside having lunch, I was already wishing that
it was Friday and I was on my way to Monterey/Carmel and sitting on Fisherman’s
Wharf drinking a beer. Today it looks like it is going to be the same so maybe I should toss aside the fact that I have the whitest legs in the land and wear shorts. Maybe not since I just
looked at them and I don’t want to scare people today. Get outside and enjoy
this weather in some way, shape or form.
If you’re Catholic like myself, you already know this, but yesterday
was the start of Lent. So it begins, my 40 day fast of red meat that I do every
year. I am not sure when I started this but it seems like forever! No hot dogs,
no steaks, no hamburgers, no meat pizza, no tri-tip BBQ’s or even hot pastrami
sandwiches! OMG! If you don’t say or write it down, it doesn’t seem so bad. Oh
well, seafood, chicken and lots of bread, cheese and wine. I think I will
survive. What did you give up? Lent doesn’t necessarily mean you have to give
something up. My father used to tell us that you can add something to your
life. How about visiting that older aunt that you haven’t seen in a long time?
How about mentoring or tutoring a young neighborhood kid that needs some
direction? These are all great things as well. Whatever your religious beliefs
or non-beliefs, lets commit to putting on a smile each morning and getting out
of the house with an extra lilt to your step, you will see a difference I
promise!
Speaking of getting out of the house, I have to go –
stretches done, latte made, dog fed – many people to see and things to do . . .
With the feeling of the holiday behind me, I am up bright
and early to jump ahead of my responsibilities for the day. This will be a
three county day for me, maybe more, and I still have a lot of computer work to
do. My focus will be strong since I am only working a half day on Friday. Yes,
I am going to take some much needed time off at the coast. Wait, not time off,
I am actually going to write an editorial for one of our new travel features
that will premier in our April/May edition. But, it will feel like time off and
hopefully this weather will continue!
Robert and Regina will join us for a real holiday feeling.
Ramon, Rory and Veronica will also be coming so we can have a “Local Happening”
experience. We’ll be letting you know what to do and where to go in Monterey
and Carmel in our June/July issue. Mendocino will be the topic for the
April/May issue and we are so excited to share these destinations with you!
But, not so fast, we still have to get through today! I have
many places to go and make sure “Local Happenings Magazine” is at the forefront
of peoples’ minds and making sure that copies are everywhere!
Watch out, you never know where I will pop up and snap a picture. . .
Meeting Roy Rogers after his show at the Empress Theatre
Monday Holidays such as President’s Day always make me
behind in everything I do. For the rest of the week I will be looking for that
day I lost. I try to stay on top of work on Monday holidays, but sometimes I
fall short and this is just what happened yesterday. I had good intentions of
spending all day in front of the computer and then it was a beautifully sunny
day and I just couldn’t!
I took a very lazy drive to Sonoma up towards Santa Rosa
with no destination in mind and I had a great day. Came home and cooked dinner
and watched the Warriors. Life is pretty good, and it is these small moments when you have to take notice and realize that these are the moments that become tomorrow’s memories of yesterday.
Of course then I had to get up at 5:30 this morning in order
to try to catch up. Guess what, I didn’t! It is 6:00 pm and I am barely getting
these little notes posted. Hopefully tomorrow will be more productive and I
will be able to greet “the hump day” with a feeling of accomplishment.
The dog days of February . . .
Friday is a great day to say this first thing in the
morning. Ponder it. Wonder about it. Swirl some ideas around with friends.
Consult the Local Happenings Magazine Calendar to make sure that you know of
every event in your neck of the woods. Then make a decision!
Based on the weather my weekend could start like this:
Friday Evening:
Saturday:
- Help set up Vallejo Executive Lions Crab Feed
- Mow Lawns and rake Leaves
- Attend Vallejo Executive Lions Crab Feed
Sunday:
- Make it to Church
- Work in the yard
- Rest!
Remember, Monday is a Holiday! Yeah . . .
Why is it that whenever you have a busy day that you wake up
not feeling good? I remember as a child whenever there was going to be
something big at school (and no, not a test!) like a fieldtrip, school project
day or book report day you would wake up with a sore throat and a headache.
Well, nothing has changed! Today I have a meeting that starts at 8:30 in
Danville so I need to be on the road no later than 7:30 to compensate for
traffic and I feel terrible.
So today I am back at my tri-county travels, I need to be in
Contra Costa, Solano and Napa today! A full schedule, and so many people to
see.
This morning I am attending a meeting in Danville to hear
about some of the things the Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Danville and a group
called Sustainable Danville are working on in the community. I am pretty
excited to hear more details.
But first, take a shower, take dog out, feed dog, do
stretches, make my latte and get on the road!
I hope I make it since I am not feeling my best today – we shall
see! I want my Mommy . . .
Getting some rays outside Shirocos and Piccolos in downtown Benicia
Derrick Karimian from Krystle Property Management promoting the community!
