Category Archives: Local Attractions

#Monterey Bay Aquarium ~ New exhibit to entice us!

viva-baja-desert-coral (1)

“The slithery.  The scaly.  The spectacularly showy.  Discover incredible animals from land and sea in this special exhibition featuring creatures from the coastal habitats of Baja California.  Life here thrives on the edge of sand and surf, where rugged desert coastline meets the sapphire waters of the Pacific.”

Cortez Rainbow Wrasse
Cortez Rainbow Wrasse

The Monterey Bay Aquarium has opened an amazing new exhibit.  You will not want to miss it!  I first was introduced to Baja in the 1970’s when I flew down there in a small 4-seater aircraft.  The airports were so rough that we had to fly over the runway first to scare the cows off so we could land and the gas had to be strained through netting before filling up the tank.  Baja was dotted with many tiny fishing villages along the coast at that time and we snorkeled and saw many of the amazing fish and critters in this exhibit.  Those were the days . . .

Panamic green moray eel
Panamic green moray eel

Luckily, I never ran into “these guys”!  Although I have seen morays up close and personal scuba diving in other areas in the tropics, I never try to pet them!

Golden trevally
Golden trevally
Desert tortoise
Desert tortoise

“This 800-mile-long narrow peninsula in northwestern Mexico is separated from the mainland by the Gulf of California.

aquarium-baja-map

With almost 2,000 miles of coastline, sun-scorched desert, lush mangrove forests and colorful coral reefs, Baja is a land of contrasts, where unique plants and animals survive and thrive.”

Pacific Seahorse
Pacific Seahorse
Lookdown
Lookdown
Bluespotted Jawfish
Bluespotted Jawfish

I hope I have peaked your interest with these incredible photos from the Monterey Bay Aquarium web site.  Go take a gander at these amazing creatures in person.  You’ll be glad you did!

 

Happy Holidays from Carmel CA

Best wishes for a wonderful holiday with family and friends!
Best wishes for a wonderful holiday with family and friends!

This may have been one of my most favorite holiday seasons . . . but then I may say that every year!  I am always filled with gratitude for all my many blessings.  Just living in this beautiful and awe inspiring place on the Monterey Peninsula I feel very thankful and very blessed.  Whether you live in Carmel, Pebble Beach, Pacific Grove, or   Monterey, you are living in one of the most beautiful and amazing places on earth.

Pacific Grove coastline
Pacific Grove coastline

Where else can you go surfing on Christmas Day!

Surfing off Lover's Point, Pacific Grove, CA
Surfing off Lover’s Point, Pacific Grove, CA

At this time of year we particularly think of others.  At our Alain Pinel holiday gathering we not only had fun singing holiday songs, but we also raised over $7000 for the Community Partnership for Youth (CPY) in addition to donating all kinds of toys, balls, legos, art supplies, and learning games for their after school program for at risk youth.

Alain Pinel agents celebrating singing holiday songs.
Alain Pinel agents celebrating singing holiday songs.

Susan Clark ringing the bell for the Salvation Army in Carmel-by-the-Sea at the Post Office.

    Susan Clark ringing the bell for the Salvation Army in Carmel-by-the-Sea at the Post Office.

The Salvation Army is one of my favorite charities so I was there to ring that bell!  People were so generous and gracious.

Sweet Elena's Apple Pie
Sweet Elena’s Apple Pie

As a realtor my gratitude list always has to include my clients – past clients who I have represented over the years and current clients who I am now representing either by selling their home or helping them find their dream home on the Monterey Peninsula.  December 12th I had a Pie-Give-Away party to say THANK YOU  for some of my local clients and gifted each one with a Sweet Elena’s pie.  All had smiles on their faces as they left with their beautiful and delicious pie!

The only thing left to say is Happy New Year 2016!

Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!

May you have a New Year filled with love, health, prosperity, and joy!

quote NY