Sacramento skies were rain-soaked and sullen during our stay.
Luckily, the Tower Bridge, which we could see from our room, provided a bright counterpoint to the clouds.
We ran along the scenic American River without getting wet.
It was pouring as we watched the bike racers finish at the Capitol.
I didn't let a little rain dampen my spirits.
(Look at those rhododendrons!)
(Look at those rhododendrons!)
Rain followed us today to the Monterey Peninsula.
We were drawn into the warmth of Dimitris Greek Bistro in Carmel.
It is a tiny, intimate space.
The owner played his Outi for us. We clapped and cheered as a woman got up to belly dance in the isle.
It is a tiny, intimate space.
The owner played his Outi for us. We clapped and cheered as a woman got up to belly dance in the isle.
I've decided I want to be the type of woman who would spontaneously belly dance...in front of complete strangers.
Did I mention she was wearing a red dress?
Oh - to be that confident and at home in your body!
Did I mention she was wearing a red dress?
Oh - to be that confident and at home in your body!
From the restaurant, we walked to the sea.
The stark landscape was lovely.
Now back in the hotel, rain pelts against the windows as darkness falls.
The stark landscape was lovely.
Now back in the hotel, rain pelts against the windows as darkness falls.
Surely tomorrow sunny California will live up to its reputation!
Sunny California, even beautiful in the rain.
ReplyDeletewhat a fantastic looking vacation.....
ReplyDeleteOh, I sure hope the weather turns nice for you, Barb! What a lovely place -- and yes, the rhododendrons are lovely.
ReplyDeleteOh, Barb!
ReplyDeleteI remember one winter I was living in rainy Oregon- I went to San Diego for a "sunny" visit & it rained 5 of the 6 days I was there! Well, it's got to get better soon- it's almost June! I have a friend that lives in Sac- so that was always my stop over spot. That rain sure makes for some green, doesn't it? Lovely photos... ah, the ocean... we don't have one of those here :)
Your life sure is great, despite the gloomy weather!
:) keep having fun & thanks for taking us along!
(can't wait for you to get to Crater Lake!)
Hi Barb, please put me in place for that belly dancer! I took a few dance lessons, I can sway my hips!
ReplyDeleteThe sky was free of pollution and you got a magnificent shot of the capital. The river was filling its banks and gave you a nice reflection. You got some great shots.
ReplyDeleteThe weather should clear tomorrow. I hope so as we will go camping Friday. Camping in the rain isn't much fun.
surely it will! but if not, you will find something else wonderful to photograph & share. i am convinced that colorado is the only place sunshine is assured :)
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a great day in spite of the weather! Especially since I woke up to snow again this morning. What kind of spring IS this??
ReplyDeleteThere are those TIGHT JEANS you bought! And they look spectacular on you. I could hardly see the rhododendrons for the miles-long legs! :-)
ReplyDeleteWhen I read about the belly dancer, I immediately had the same thoughts as you. Such personal confidence.
ReplyDeleteAll you pictures are wonderful, the last one is where I could spend a day thinking or better yet, not thinking and just airing out the brain.
Lovely photos, Barb!
ReplyDeleteI'm here singing "Rain Drops Keep Fallin' On My Head" and you're thinking about Belly Dancing in the Rain!
Never mind the rhododendron, look at you. Vacation becomes you.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness Barb! It isn't any better here in the desert! It has been overcast, raining in the mtns. and windy....very windy for the past 5 days! that looks like a very LONG SNAKE in the sand! I am sure it is a stick...or you would have alerted me! yikes! don't let the wind blow your tiny little self away! your adorable!
ReplyDeletePS I think I would have gotten up and danced with her! Why not! Celebrate her happiness....it rubs off...hehehehe
ReplyDeleteBarb you have me longing for Carmel. I spent 3 days there probably 10 years ago now. My one and only trip to California. I love Pebble Beach, Carmel, Monterey. I love it all. I drove across the mountains to a vineyard. Have a wonderful wonderful time and by the way I want to be skinny like you. I'm working on it. Carol
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great vacation in spite of a little wet weather.
ReplyDeleteYou're having fun no matter the weather (and no surprise either -- you know how to find joy any and everywhere!) Love the little greek restaurant! Great find.
ReplyDeleteyour emerald isle image below is spectacular.
ReplyDeleteoh thanks for this post. i am going to monterey next week and i already have plans for dinner. for lunch i don't. but that greek bistro sounds interesting, since i love greek/mediterranean cuisine. i have to google it and make sure it's open for lunch.
Maybe the monsoon season is early this year. If it makes you feel better, we have been under clouds over a week. But then, I am not on vacation.
ReplyDeleteThe beach shots came out well in spite of the rain. I will bet that beach isn' that empty very often.
Good luck for a better day tomorrow.
Sharp jeans!
You look amazing. Your trip sounds like it has been memorable in many ways. Yes, I wish I were so confident and comfortable in my body that I would belly dance anywhere.
ReplyDeleteI love Carmel. It is the most enchanting place. We lived near there in '66 when my first husband was stationed at Ft. Ord. It was then, and still is, a magical place.
I love the moody California scenery, and the skinny jeans!
ReplyDeleteWe're getting lots of rain here. I'm thinking a boat might be a worthwhile purchase ;-) I take photographs, rain or shine. As evidenced by your photographs, it doesn't matter if the sun is shining or not to produce beautiful images.
ReplyDeleteIt is so amazing how much rain Ca. has gotten this year! They will have flowers longer than usual. Yea. I use to love those years when I lived there, they were few and far apart.
ReplyDeletelovely trip to you.
oh and I loved the story about the woman who got up and danced!
The clouds do make for great photos, but I hope the sun comes out for you tomorrow! I can't imagine being brave enough to belly dance in public or even at home HA!
ReplyDeleteWe are under another winter storm warning and it snowed most of today. I refuse to accept it! I already put all of my boots up!
I hope the weather has improved by now. We're still getting rain in Utah.
ReplyDeleteI might one day wear a purple hat, but I don't think I'd ever belly dance in a red dress!
Rhododendrons!!!
ReplyDeleteI was racking my brain to remember that word.
THANK YOU!!
Looks as if you know how to have a good time no matter the weather!
I admire that!!
It seems to be wet everywhere. It's snowing here, and we're supposed to get up to a foot tonight.
ReplyDeleteFor your sake, I hope that the sun shines on CA tomorrow!
And, thanks for not telling me who won the stage. I'm trying not to find out until I watch my recording of the coverage!
What great pictures, we sure could use some of that rain.....big hugs
ReplyDeleteI would love to be that woman in the red dress as well. Perhaps one day.
ReplyDeleteAll sounds perfect -- well, wet, but so much fun! That restaurant sounds fun and yum!
ReplyDeleteBarb, I enjoyed very pleasant tour with you. And I tought I must be carefull to stay in shape so that I can be a woman in red dress.
ReplyDeleteI especially love the last photo.
You are powerful and a beautiful woman, Barb!! I would like to stay in shape like you.
ReplyDeleteI will never skip my asthma medicine to be fine and beautiful! I promise!
Tomoko
I was in Monterray over 30 years ago and remember those stark landscapes. You have captured it beautifully.
ReplyDeleteLook at those long, lovely legs! You'd make a perfectly beautiful Dressage rider. I'm built for jumping.
ReplyDeleteLoved Carmel when we visited, years ago. That neat belly dancin' woman was totally inspiring!
I'm sure you could/would belly dance with the best of them.
ReplyDeleteCarmel is something special. We spent part of our honeymoon there eons ago.
ReplyDelete