Lovers Point Cypresses

Lovers Point,

in Pacific Grove, California,

is one of those places where,

on any given day,

one could stand in one spot

and take a hundred pictures or more

without taking exactly the same picture twice.

I honestly could just sit on a park bench

and look at these trees,

listening to the ocean

all day.

On the day I took these pictures,

I was at Lovers Point to officiate a wedding.

Taken 19 October 2016.

Point Pinos Lighthouse

Here're a few pics

of a favorite local site:

Point Pinos Lighthouse

This is the oldest operating lighthouse

on the west coast.

It is on the point of land

that sticks out from

the southern end of 

Monterey Bay,

part of what is called

the Monterey Peninsula;

and it is in the middle of

the Pacific Grove Golf Links.

Point Pinos Lighthouse

began operation

in 1855.

The inside is also beautifully

maintained, containing many

historical items of interest,

and showing the living conditions

of former caretakers.

These photos were taken on 13 May 2011.

Seven Gables Inn

I'd say

with confidence

it is impossible

to overstate

the proverbial

"wow factor"

when it comes to

this bed & breakfast experience

in Pacific Grove, California.

Classic Victorian architecture,

pristine curb appeal,

impeccable decor and service,

ridiculous views.

Tough to match,

much less beat.

Taken 27 December 2010.

Outcropping

This is what is commonly called

a rock outcropping.

Funny word - outcropping.

This photo takes my imagination 

in many directions.

I can almost see some kind of primitive face on this rock;

or it is a huge petrified shark fin;

or a finger...

an index finger pointing to the sky -

the "One Way" sign;

or the upturned rudder of an ancient ship...

Whatever.

It is the central focus of this photo,

but there are many other elements

lending interest to this composition:

the seagull in flight,

the purple iceplant blooming on the far bank,

the stunning blue sky,

the congregation of stone around the central monolith,

the green iceplant in the foreground,

waves crashing on the distant shoreline.

Overall,

a scene that beckons

with an offering of serenity

and peace.

Like holding a conch shell to your ear,

you can hear the sound of the ocean waves.

Taken 13 May 2011,

Pacific Grove, California.

Ready for Spring

The official calendar start of spring

is still a couple of weeks away,

but I am sooooo ready

for it to be here 

right now.

!!!

!

Seriously.

This pic was taken along the recreational path

in Pacific Grove, California,

between Lover's Point

and Point Pinos

where Monterey Bay

meets the Pacific Ocean.

The botanicals

are iceplant in bloom.

Always stunning.

Taken 13 May 2011.

Drains to the Bay

The beach at

Lover's Point,

Pacific Grove, CA.

Taken 27 December 2010.

Purple Carpet

Every year

the iceplant along the shore

in Pacific Grove

blooms like this.

It is incredible,

and it always

leaves me

speechless.

To be honest

I wasn't going to take this picture

but I had pulled into a parking area

to turn around

and I had to stop and wait

for another car to move,

so I grabbed my camera

and quick shot this

out the window

from my driver's seat!

Here's a more

distant pic

from Lover's Point

looking back

toward Oceanview Drive.

I was out of my car

and standing

on the rock outcropping

for this one.

(Don't forget to zoom in!)

Taken TODAY!

13 May 2011

A Walk Around the Bay

On a recent day off from work,

the sun was shining

the sky was clear and beautiful

so my wife and some friends decided

to talk a walk.

This "fence" is about halfway along the walk.

I think it was put there to discourage people

from walking on the iceplant,

but it put me in mind of a Shinto gate -

interesting, since a hundred years ago,

Japanese immigrant fishermen lived where we were walking.

The park at Lover's Point.

Looking back at Lover's Point across the beach.

Same palm tree in the last two pictures.

A wondrous place to rest, think, pray,

share a quiet moment with a loved one.

Hey, don't forget to "click in" so you can

see the pictures larger and larger!

You can see the mountains on the other side of the bay.

This is not always the case here!

Thank you for joining me on this rare multi-pic jaunt.

By the way, the title is a bit of a misnomer.

We did not actually walk all the way around the bay.

:8-D

Canted Lamp

This lamppost next to "The Bathhouse"

at Lover's Point in Pacific Grove, CA,

is tilting it's head.

Is it:

a) tired?

b) listening?

c) curious?

d) surprised?

or

e) about to fall unexpectedly on some unfortunate passerby

and initiate an international news event:

"Tourist Does Not See Light"