Family Time

Each year my parents treat our whole family to a little vacation getaway. Its something we look forward to every year. The last few years have been spent at a beach house in Carmel. By now Carmel is like an old familiar friend who is beautiful, charming, sweet and has a house on the beach :) This trip we added a few more excursions to our agenda including a train ride, a stop at the infamous Marianne's Ice Cream Shop in Monterrey, the Santa Cruz Seymour Marine Discovery Center and The Mystery Spot just to name a few. 

Train ride in Fernal through Big Trees

The Seymour Marine Discovery Center was amazing! To be honest it was almost everything the Monterey Bay Aquarium is only $35.00/per person cheaper. Much easier on the ol' wallet. I even had an encounter with a shark! He just happened to be a very asleep and docile shark...nonetheless!

And for just $5.00 you were taken on a tour of the facility and research grounds and given a wealth of nifty and important information about the ocean and its inhabitants. Now that's what I call a deal!

And of course you cant go to Carmel and not spend  time at the beach. The weather was much warmer than usual which made for enjoyable sun bathing and ocean swimming.

Ben Boogie Bording

As is our tradition we spent our last evening in Carmel on the beach enjoying a bonfire, roasting marshmallows, trying to keep the 5 yr olds and up from burning themselves and two walking babies from throwing themselves into the fire :) Always makes for good memories.

And of course the week ends to fast and before you know it your packing your bags, loading the car and driving back to the real world. C'est La Vie!