Monday, July 7, 2008

Hello to all and we hope you had a lovely 4th of July weekend. Time to take a stroll to burn off the hot dogs and apple crisp. It is a long walk, so grab your most comfy shoes and a bottle of cold water.......
Todays walk is in a lovely Carmel, California neighborhood that is up the road from the beach. So many cute homes are tucked in here and there - some small, some grand and some old castle looking ones, such as the above one that is peeking out between the trees.
Oh, those green shutters are cute!
A lovely Mediterranean style home that has a delightful courtyard filled with lavender, nemesia, petunias, azaleas and other pretty flowers and manicured bushes.
The bouginvillia has a profusion of mounding blooms atop the arbor.

This home has an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean through the French doors.
And there it is! The ocean!!!
Which balcony do you want to sit on?
Lots of nice European cars dot the curbs of this neighborhood.
More of the green shutters...
The silhouettes of the old Cypress trees against a perfectly blue sky.
Old Glory stands out, too.
Stunning ironwork on the gate that leads to a peaceful retreat that invites you to come in and hang your hat and sit for awhile in an Adirondack chair.
This little piggy cried wee, wee, wee...all the way to his awesome Carmel home!
Another view of this sweet beauty.
A large Palladian window allows plenty of sunlight in to this cutie of a Spanish style bungalow.
Another view of one of my favorite homes on this walk. Oh honey, can we buy it?
Tired yet? Take a sip of your water and truck along with me. More over here!
There are many great gardening ideas that you can incorporate into your home. To keep this path clean, the owner has added small gravel in the beds and pots of flowers for color.
This pretty ocean view home is for sale. I am not sure how much, but I'd bet a "pretty penny" that it will fetch around 2-3 million smackers!
One of many, many Carmel Hansel and Gretel style cottages. This one has an adorable fence....
...and just inside the fence this sweet little garden that is full of whimsy and fun. You can click to enlarge the photo. Check out the yellow birdhouse in the background!
Look below....I think Peter Rabbit is watching us from afar.
A friendly reminder....but do you think that the dogs can read? snicker...
Some 4th decorations at this Patriot's house.
Isn't this a cool roof?
Sweet gate with a darling basket.
Turn the corner here....there's a bit more....
Ok, you have gotta see this fence!!! It is made out of twigs!!!

The majority of homes in Carmel have names and a plaque or sign is hung either on the home or on a fence.
I do believe this house looks like a tree house.
Great idea to hang baskets of flowers from sturdy tree limbs.

Pretty yellow yarrow graces the path that leads to our last home on our little walk.
What I like about this home is that it is nestled amongst these old gnarly limbed trees. It is like having a beautiful and natural sculpture in your front yard.....
....hence the name of the home, "Cypress Garden." See the sign over that great front door?


Well, I hope you enjoyed your walk with us and the tour of some of the wonderful homes in one of my favorite little towns of all.


Happy Trails....

HHHHHHHHHHHH

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

Okay, next time I am not wearing flip flops....LOL!!! I cannot even imaging waking up every day and having that beautiful view of the ocean.

Hugs,
LeAnn:)
P.S. Did Doogs go?

Lallee said...

Thank you for a lovely scenic stroll. I lingered at the house with the tile roof and bouganvilla growing on the arbor. I rushed Oliver and Baggins by the 'don't doo' before they 'did'. Did I burn enough calories for another chocolate? If not I'll go around again. Hope you had a nice 4th!

Hugs,
Lallee

CiNdEe's GaRdEn said...

Oh Thanks for sharing. i loved the tour!!!!!

Miss Jean said...

It is such a lovely area coupled with even lovelier weather. Considering it's supposed to get to 106 here this week, it is truly heaven on earth.

Bring me back a mason jar filled with cool breezes and fresh air!

I guess now we are going to have to enroll Maggie and Doogs in Montessori so they can learn to read! Hooked on Puppy Phonics?

Have an awesome time! I'm insanely jealous that you get to go and do some antiquing without me!!!

Hugs to all,
Miss Jean

Karen said...

WOW - thanks for the wonderful tour - I enjoyed every little step.

Hugs - karen

Brenda said...

Hi Becky:That walk made exercise fun.I didn't have to worry about Oreo doing her business in that yard she is so lazy I had to carry here less than half way through.
Hope you had a nice 4th of July
Best Wishes
Brenda:)

Anonymous said...

I did enjoy your tour. And thanks, for I may never make it to Carmel! Yes, I sometimes hang plants from the trees if they are low enough. Especially the ones that need some shade!
Brenda

Janet said...

Becky,

Thanks for the the tour; Carmel is one of my favorite places in the whole world and I have only been there once. I think a walk up from the beach will burn off a few more calories if anyone feels the need, lol.

Janet

Nikki via The Scarlett Rose Garden said...

What a grand stroll! I wonder what the faux thatch roof was made of? And that gate with the arbor, le sigh!! I adored the green shutters as well. These homes are all so whimsical looking. *pout* I want one... then I'd name it The Scarlett Rose Garden, lol!
Nikki

Patina said...

Those homes and gardens are just beautiful. Thanks for the walk!

Dena said...

Oh Becky, what a romantic and beautiful town. I've never been, but the pictures are exactly what I envision. Thanks for taking me along :)

Hugs,
Dena

Denise said...

Such a wonderful walk around the town..... but my feet hurt and need to take a seat! I love the ocean and I think me and DH are headed to the coast of Texas in a month or two.......... YEAH

Anonymous said...

Oh Becky, thank you so much for taking me "back" to Carmel! I've been there twice and that just isn't enough! So charming - and I think I love the last home the most! And you know that I am partial to homes with a name! ;-)
Wish I could have been there with you on this walk. But this will have to do - and your photos make us feel like we ARE there!

xo,
Kim

Lisa Pogue said...

Thank you for the stroll thru Carmel. I love taking virtual strolls. Plus I really like the idea of naming homes. That's very clever and homey.

Mrs.Kwitty said...

So many lovely things to see on your excursions!! I love that twig fence--and the house with the gnarly trees! so cool.
Smiles, Karen

Rue said...

You have no idea what that walk meant to me :) I used to live in Pebble Beach and would walk by those houses all the time! It brought tears to my eyes and so many memories of my time there. Thank you so much :)

rue

Life on the Edge said...

These are incredibly charming homes! I love the idea that most of them have names. Not sure what I would name my home, lol. There are so many unique roofs and plants and trees and fences, and such a nice variety of styles of homes. I love that ocean view! I was once in Carmel-by-the-Sea while on vacation, but I was only 14 and don't have much memory of it.

Kady

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

OH~~~ I just love when you take us for a walk! I think I may of lost a pound or two on this walk.
A big hug,
ginger

Jean said...

What a wonderful neighborhood! I have never been to California , but I feel as if I were there taking the beautiful walk and seeing so many different styles of homes and gardens. Thanks for my tour.
Jean in Virginia

Thimbleanna said...

You're so lucky you live so close to such beauty! Thanks for sharing it with all of us. I love all the European touches among all those houses.

Linda said...

Hi Becky...this walked really burn some of my 4th calories....but next time I'll need to bring two bottles of water and a little snack.:)

Carmel is one of the most beautiful places on the earth. A home with the beautiful ocean view....paradise. I need an ocean fix....hugs, Linda

Dr.John said...

Thanks for taking me on the walk. The hpouses and gardens were great. But now I am exhausted.

Anonymous said...

That was a great walk ,thank you so much

Back Through Time said...

WOW that was some walk! I think I want to come and visit you!
Hope you had a great 4th!!
Michelle

Ragged Roses said...

Thank you so much for all these beautiful sunny photos, it is pouring with rain here and feels like winter so it has been lovely to see all these today
Kimx

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous! the little house with green shutters looks a lot like mine. I bet the owner is a fan of the Quiet Man film. Mine is decorated to look like the house in that "White O'Morn Cottage" cheers...Pam

black eyed susans kitchen said...

I just love this neighborhood! Susan

Unknown said...

Oh my Goodness! Can I live here?!
My Sister-in-law was just here this weekend. I will have to tell her to check your blog out.

Liz

Bertie said...

Thanks so much for the great walk! I love the "Tree House"! Now, I need a nap. LOL

Bertie
Aunt May's Cottage

Heidi said...

Loved the wrought iron gates. I just have a real thing for any iron gates, rails, etc.. We hope to have a second one designed to match the large gate but for a tall window up on the front of the house (my mother's bedroom). Did you go to Carmel for just the day or stay there over the holiday weekend?

Hugs and kitty kisses ~
Heidi and Dagi

Rosemary said...

So pretty, I love Carmel.
Our friends live in the Carmel Valley.
I didn't know you were so close.
Thanks for the beautiful tour.
Rosemary

Deb said...

Thank you so much for this wonderful tour. Carmel is on my "travel wish list" and every time I see photos it just makes me want to visit more and more :-}

Betty said...

Oh! I want to go! I want to go! I haven't been to Carmel in years. I love the cottages with the beautiful gardens.

Anonymous said...

I Loved taking a little tour of Carmel, I just got back from CA. and was unable to visit but I feel like I have with these beautiful photos u have taken~I can almost smell the ocean.

Anonymous said...

Tom Selleck! Oh yeah! I grew up with cowboys - and my mom says my brother looks like Tom. Oh, if only - well, maybe from the head up he looks like him! Beautiful pictures - it looks so cool and inviting! Thank you! Patti

Rhondi said...

WHat a beautiful place you live in!!! I was at Asilomar in APril. That was my first time to the part of California. I could have walked forever along the paths by the ocean I only got to see a little bit of carmel. How lucky you are to live there!
Hugs, Rhondi

Lisa said...

I thought I was the only one drooling over that magazine! Small world. Thanks for the amazing tour, looks much better than my corner of the world for sure!