Some of my best memories here have been on this bench, with a take-out container, my journal, a favorite pen,  and most of all, my thoughts, including hopes, and dreams...

Here's my view to the left.  Beauty everywhere you look.

Somehow, when the sun sets, a new vibe sets in.  As if it was not beautiful enough during the day, a new sensation takes hold, as the sun descends.  Being from the East Coast , I was never able to explain it, I only knew I yearned to experience it.  My first Californian  sunset, was three years ago and every time I visit, I venture down to the beach, bundled up from the evening chill, with the excitement as a child on Christmas morning, all over again. The giant ball of sunshine sinks over the ocean. It dips lightly, gently,  a powerful image to comprehend. Illuminating not only the coastline but my inner being.  Gazing at it... I want to take in every second. I know it won't last. This moment not to return...ever. I'll long for this sight, this feeling.  Taking a picture to remind myself of this when I get home, and then, I look at the photo and back at the sunset and appreciate I will never be able to capture this image the way it appears. It is a "life moment" that is only to be realized at that moment in time. It is not meant to be relived. It is meant to be soaked into my soul for that period of time. And, I'm just thankful.

Walking through neighborhoods of quaint homes and hilly streets, I'd wondered if I'd taken the right directions, then, I looked up and saw it. It was just like the pictures I'd seen over the years. I dreamed of walking through it's tranquil paths, smelling it's fragrant flowers and feeling a sense of spiritual calmness in the gardens and within it's walls. The Carmel Mission

Entering,  I was filled with wonder, as I read it's history since 1771. It was built on the site of the original adobe church with stone quarried from the nearby Santa Lucia Mountains. It was the first California Mission Church to be built from stone.

I entered the small gift shop, where I looked to purchase a very small cross necklace.
The sales clerk helped me to find the very right one,  just what I was looking for. 
She inquired why I wanted such a small necklace? I replied, "I feel God often reveals Himself in the smallest ways, and this small cross reminds me to look for me to look for them". We seemed to become instant friends and realized we had a common bond sharing the same birthday (which had just passed), and many other interests. That friendship has lasted a couple years now, and I am so thankful God led me there at that moment, that day.  I had planned on going to the mission the day before, but was unable to, as the day just "got away" from me. I found out, if I had gone then, my dear friend wouldn't have been working, so we may have never met. during my stay in Carmel, her and her friend took me to see the sunset in Pebble Beach to enjoy hearing the famous evening bagpiper as the sun goes down. A daily tradition since the Inn at Spanish Bay opened. 

I look back on that day, and am so thankful I was given the opportunity to  meet a special friend, and experience a beautiful broken window to remind me, it's okay not to be perfect. being imperfect, we can still shine through

Another great restaurant I spotted, during my stay was nestled high above the tree lined street.
The Tree House Cafe.
What a delight to enjoy a late lunch and a glass of wine, while reminiscing about the day and the evening beach picnic later to watch the sunset

The paths were not as easy as I first thought,  but they were manageable for me.  I'm glad I'd starting walking a month before this trip, even if it was only a couple miles a day. I think  it helped.