17 Mile Drive

Carol Freshley August 19, 2016

This is the iconic scenic drive on the Monterey Peninsula. It is even advertised as being the 'most' scenic drive in the world!!! Hmmm . . . . I am thinking that it is not quite that but a great drive nonetheless. The 17 Mile Drive winds through private residential streets, resorts and golf courses. You are never too far away from the ocean and some form of beach. There are a number of specific pull-out parking areas with names like 'Huckleberry Hill', 'Spanish Bay', 'Restless Sea' and 'Bird Rock'. The most important stop is at the Lone Cypress site, one of California's most treasured landmarks. This cypress tree has been on its rocky perch for more than 250 years.

Rocky beaches more than sand in many places

Trying to imitate a rain forest . . . but not quite there

Lots of very interesting cypress along the route

A nice brick wall has been built to control erosion around the Lonely Cypress

You could spend a full day just driving around in this area and taking photos of trees.

This young lad just kept running away from the incoming waves.  You could tell he was new to the ocean. Each time a wave got close to him he squealed!  I had so much fun just watching him run back and forth. — This young lad just kept running away from the incoming waves. You could tell he was new to the ocean. Each time a wave got close to him he squealed! I had so much fun just watching him run back and forth.

Caught in the act.  So many tourists in the area and it seems that all of them have a selfie-stick. — Caught in the act. So many tourists in the area and it seems that all of them have a selfie-stick.

Just try paying attention to your golf ball when this is in your sight

Not sure that this tree is all that lonely.  There are many other cypress nearby. — Not sure that this tree is all that lonely. There are many other cypress nearby.

You have to get a photo of at least one sea gull while you are near waves.  It is a rule!!!  I am working on finding one I like. — You have to get a photo of at least one sea gull while you are near waves. It is a rule!!! I am working on finding one I like.

Carmel Concours d'Elegance

Carol Freshley August 18, 2016

This is CAR week in Carmel. The most prestigious of the events is to be held this coming Sunday with exceptional cars parked on the grass at the 18th hole of the Pebble Beach Golf Club. Leading up to that final day are lots of other events that showcase these special cars. This post covers the cars that Tom photographed along the downtown streets of Carmel where a smaller version of the Concours is held.

Porsche's latest super car for racing.  Many manufacturers release their new cars at Concours d'Elegance. — Porsche's latest super car for racing. Many manufacturers release their new cars at Concours d'Elegance.

1936 Ford pick-up street-rod (street-rods are a little more conservative than hot-rods(

Early two person Indie race car.  The second person was the mechanic.  This is a featured class at the Concours this year. — Early two person Indie race car. The second person was the mechanic. This is a featured class at the Concours this year.

1932 Ford roadster (not a high boy because it has fenders)

Ferrari (probably 1980s era) like Magnum PI drove on his TV show.

Unidentified Ferrari model (Tom has never seen one like this before)

Iso-Grifo, a limited production Italian car with a Chevy engine

Citroën, the first mass produced front wheel car.

Salmon Cascades

Carol Freshley August 17, 2016

A short distance from the entrance to the Sol Duc waterfalls there is a simple sign that reads 'Salmon Cascades'. There is quite a bit of effort going into protecting and in some cases reclaiming the waterways that salmon require to return to the site of their birth to spawn. We passed on the opportunity to photograph the cascades going in but had a little bit of light left on the return. We checked it out.