We just returned from a celebratory trip to the coast for Kari’s birthday. At our stage, it really makes it easy when she picks in advance where to stay, picks the restaurants and menu items she wants, then makes all the reservations. ‘You can take the Business Manager out of the office, but you can’t… .’ 😉 She’s a planner! ❤️
We stayed at Clint Eastwood’s Mission Ranch Inn in Carmel, Calif. The room was wonderful. The last time we stayed there was in 1989, when we saw Clint working away and taking the trash out to the dumpster. No Clint sightings this time. We got a kick out of the current Wi-Fi password, “makemystay.” Dinner the first night was at the restaurant there. It has a wonderful view overlooking the river bed and meadow, with the ocean in the background.
Dinner for the birthday night was the Filet Mignon for the birthday girl and I had the Rack of Lamb. Absolutely delicious!
Breakfast the next morning was at nearby From Scratch. We last ate here in 2014. It’s a hidden jem that I think we heard about from a local. Then about three years ago it was on Guy Fieri “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” It’s t still a great place and recommend it.
We walked around downtown Carmel, down to the beach and back—of course picking up a few items to bring home. A couple lovebirds center pieces for our coffee table and of course, another loud squeeze toy for Parfait.
Dinner the second night was at Roy’s, inside The Inn at Spanish Bay golf resort. Kari had her eyes on one her favorites, Sea Bass, but they were out of it. She opted for Halibut. I caved and had the “surf and turf” called the Big Island Special. It was a hearty serving of wood fired New York steak and Australian lobster served with an indescribably delicious sauce on it (rather than the traditional butter sauce).
People-watching can be entertaining. Spanish Bay is the golf course where the course is closed every day with a bagpiper playing as they stroll up the 18th fairway. It’s a cool tradition. Our table had a great view of the bagpiper and to people-watch. As we went through our appetizers and salads, it was oddly interesting that the bulk of people rushed forward when the music started and bagpiper not in sight, but had left the patio area by the time the bagpiper actually got up to the patio.
The next day, relaxed and stuffed, but still no Sea Bass, we stopped at a favorite fish market in Carmel, Sea Harvest. They had a great selection of Sea Bass that we took home and Kari prepared. It just melts in your mouth like ice cream!
Parfait stayed at home while “mom and dad” went away for some fun. Our neighbors across the street, Kaide and Tim, checked in on her. Parfait was spoiled and got walks to the park. Kaide was great sending photos and videos to us. We had to laugh at the Ring doorbell footage of Parfait shooting out the front door on one of the visits. Parfait won’t go far when lovin’ or food is coming up.
In October it’s back to Seymour the trailer with a trip planned to nearby Bass Lake where Kari spent many summers staying at her grandparents home.
