New Year's Day - Pacific Grove

I spent New Year's Eve quietly taking down the Christmas tree at my Dad's house.  I had a nice fondue dinner with several sisters and their husbands, a kid or two and my Dad.  Being that we are old folks now everyone left by 8:30pm. 

It probably didn't help that I started undecorating the tree prompting allergic fits in some (Sorry Kate ~ I wasn't thinking.  I wasn't trying to hasten your departure...) but honestly I think everyone was ready for a calm ringing in of the New Year clad in new Christmas jammies and tucked safely in their own homes.

I woke up early this morning and, since the rest of the house was sleeping, I decided to hop in my car and head to the coast.  Joy seeking!  Skies were crystal clear and the traffic was light.  In less than an hour and a half I was pulling into Pacific Grove.

Pacific Grove is a little jewel of a town next to Monterey, CA.  It has a cute little downtown with lovely shops and restaurants and beautiful old Victorian homes on its hilly streets.  The houses pictured above have been converted ~ the yellow on is a bed and breakfast (Seven Gables) and the white one is a restaurant (The White House on Lighthouse). 

Our goal is to move closer to the ocean, hopefully this year.  I could see living in Pacific Grove except a house like either of those would cost a bobillion dollars.  Plus I don't think they allow goats there.   I think we are going to have to settle on living close to Pacific Grove.   

I forget how much I love the ocean air.  It has the most calming effect on me.   So my big goal for 2007 (except for the whole joy thing) is going to be to move towards living near the ocean.  There are certain factors a bit out of my control (like the real estate market for one) but I can get the rest of my ducks in a row so when the timing is right we can make a move quickly.

Speaking of ducks ~ when I was on my way back, driving down highway 1, the traffic came to a very abrupt slowdown in both directions with cars coming to an almost complete stop then proceeding very slowly.  The reason?  Four little ducks crossing the road. 

Comments

[nel]

how cute, little ducks...Love the gorgeous houses. When I read you wanted to move near the ocean I thought a woman after my own heart...just got to make that happen!