
At first, no words, just breathtaking...
Here I am, sitting on the Carmel beach, my first evening here. I have waited over fifteen years for this moment, and I'd finally slipped into the dream.
I was in awe after spending a full day wandering around crooked streets and flower filled courtyards, all brimming with character in every corner.

Coming across a great local market, I found everything for a small picnic dinner on the beach. I made my way through streets of enchanted cottages. I never got tired of seeing the individual character of each one, like snowflakes lining street after street, all so different, all so quaint.
I made my way down a set of steps onto the beach.
I just sat there, listening to the sound of aqua-blue waves crash against the white sand beach. Trying to somehow capture the moment, second by second, so I might rewind it over and over again one day, when I needed this memory. The sun started lowering in position to set soon. A full bright circle just hovering in the mid sky. My body settled into the sand, as I breathed in the crisp sea air. I had captured my feeling of contentment.
I made my way down a set of steps onto the beach.
I just sat there, listening to the sound of aqua-blue waves crash against the white sand beach. Trying to somehow capture the moment, second by second, so I might rewind it over and over again one day, when I needed this memory. The sun started lowering in position to set soon. A full bright circle just hovering in the mid sky. My body settled into the sand, as I breathed in the crisp sea air. I had captured my feeling of contentment.
As I sat there barefoot, the warm sand comforted my feet. A lone surfer zigzaged through the crest of waves as it neared the coastline. I looked behind me to see a carpet of flowering succulent plants wrapping the dunes. Cypress trees lying behind them.

Shadows of Cypress trees also outlined the mountainous skyline as dark clouds wafted over the sunny day. Silhouettes of people running with dogs were visible in every direction on the shoreline. A crowd had started to gather to see the spectacular sunset show that was soon to begin. Everyone from artists, photographers, small tourist groups, families, people dressed formally to get that perfect picture, couples, and people just walking alone to seek a bit of solitude. I was amazed at all the people walking their dogs, a very dog friendly town. Which, I just loved!
The sun slowly lowered into a long line of dark clouds. It re-appeared, and began it's slow decent. I watched mesmerized by the sight of it. It looked like a large yellow ball slowly being dipped into the ocean, until it was completely gone.
The sun slowly lowered into a long line of dark clouds. It re-appeared, and began it's slow decent. I watched mesmerized by the sight of it. It looked like a large yellow ball slowly being dipped into the ocean, until it was completely gone.

I could no longer see its brilliance. Only a bright glow, where it had been, which grew dimmer each minute.
I brushed the soft, sugary sand from my feet, as I gathered all my things. The cool chill made me even more aware, this was not a dream, I was actually here. By now, people began to retreat to the cypress lined streets layered with jackets and their canine companions by their side.
What a moment in time! I thank God for His wondrous creation and that I had the opportunity for the experience.
I brushed the soft, sugary sand from my feet, as I gathered all my things. The cool chill made me even more aware, this was not a dream, I was actually here. By now, people began to retreat to the cypress lined streets layered with jackets and their canine companions by their side.
What a moment in time! I thank God for His wondrous creation and that I had the opportunity for the experience.
I found I adapted quite well to the weather there, as it wasn't typically my ideal weather, I actually began to like it. It wasn't that warm. Apparently their summer differs from my location on the East Coast. I was informed by locals, summer arrives September/October. The days only reached a high of about 60-62 degrees, so by evening, a heavy sweater and jacket was needed.
I actually changed three times a day. The mornings were a bit chilly and cloudy when I was there, the afternoons were very pleasant. One evening I bundled up with two layers and walked down to the beach, being sure not to miss a sunset, due to the chill.
I actually changed three times a day. The mornings were a bit chilly and cloudy when I was there, the afternoons were very pleasant. One evening I bundled up with two layers and walked down to the beach, being sure not to miss a sunset, due to the chill.