Butterfly Tales

Well, as the rains dripped for hours, promising verdant green hillsides in April, Spring has hit us here in Sand City with an icy wind, bright blue skies and longer days. The Jasmin smells wonderfully sweet, and the rosebuds portend a large crop of heavy-headed roses. I brood over them daily.

So far, things have been moving forward at a snails pace with respect to our local economy. We are way ahead of the rest of the county with respect to the unemployment rate, and people are holding on to their dollars harder than ever. This is really tough on all the local businesses who depend on local residents for their cash flow. Much different than being a national retailer.

Many businesses are down about 30%. However cafes and bars are doing gangbusters business. Ol'Factory Cafe has wone some awards for the Monterey Weekly's "best of" - Best Beers on tap and best Sand City Restaurant, as well as best place to have intelligent conversation (a little deja vu never hurt anyone).

We are keeping our fingers crossed that the economy has bottomed out and we are on the uptick!

Spring foward!

Hi all,

So much has happened since my last posting to this blog on Blogger.com. Where would I begin?

September/October, I met a wonderful man and we are now living together in Sand city. More on this later...

Mid December I left my job at CTB?McGraw-hill (Hell) and told everyone about my so-called boyfriend and his lies and deceptions. I am now working at Monterey Mattress (no I am not the number one mattress-tester!) and learning more than anyone wants to know about sleeping and foam and matt...nononono!

January I found an engagement ring reciept. No I havent gotten engaged, but I guess its the thought that counts? NOT!

March I became a mommy to a beautiful Belgian Tervuren puppy who was about 8 weeks old (he is now a whopping 13 weeks and 14 lbs!!!) More on him later too.

What am I doing these days?
1. Working on the garden ,

2. taking care of puppy and doggy and fishy and kitty. Anything that ends in "y" and I am there. I work at the mattress factory doing filing and phones, but soon I hope to take art classes at the local colleges. Either CSUMB or Monterey Peninsula Jr College. One of course is less expensive than the other. I am torn between the Film Post-Bacch and the Art Associates. A desision must be made before Summer. Its like life is a scareacrow pointing in several different directions to a place called Oz which of course has all the answers. Where is my wizard?

Dear Friends,

Because my life has taken some interesting twists and turns; I must say that I am missing everyone horribly! I do miss my old life in San Diego, and while I am getting comfortable in my new one - there is no replacement for good friends!

I have been hiking (as you already know!) in the wilds of South-Central Coast. The summer has mellowed to August and the hills are brown with parched grasses. I have found several new trails that I really like and have taken pictures as well as journalised my experiences. Interesting note - the landscape, as wonderful as it is, is rather empty but for the people that I have encountered.

Im still living with my parents at their house, and have become adept at saving money and avoiding the shopping centers and online stores. Im amazed - even though I am in meetings and working with large amounts of people every day - I dress horribly and there are no shopping centers where I can assuage my thirst for new fashions. Which is the good news. Bebe and Guess are about 60 miles away. Thats good news! Im waiting until that last (and first) 15 lbs has been shed before using my shopping gift cards.

I have met some interesting people lately, and attending wine/pizza tastings. some of my new "friends" include a hard-working couple who have started a sequeway rental company on cannery row, pizza-eating locals, and wine-guzzling entreprenuers.

I frequent a spot that caters to tourists in Big sur, and there are always interesting souls gathered around the fire pit at night. The crackling sparks light up the sky, dissappearing into the black night. To be replaced in my vision with sparkling diamonds - stars - clear, cold and bright.

My traditions have begun over the summer, and into the golden fall.
Last weekend I went for a 9-mile hike in Andrew Molera. This area is the largest acreage of state park in the County. A great place for a garden - hence the pot bust last week that netted about 37 million street-worth of "garden plants".
This hike has a 1,100-foot ascension, but it was so gentle that I barely noticed! The trail loops south on the marine terrace (the flat part that suddenly drops off to the ocean) and then up over the ridge. The terrace portion was scrubby with sharp twigs that lacerated my ankles. OUCH. The entire walk I enjoyed the sparkling turqoise-blue/green ocean.

Well here it is, almost the 100 centenial anniversary of the Pacific Grove Feast of Lanterns. I remember as a kid, we would plant ourselves at Lover's Point, in the sand, with our little white lantern on a stick. When it became dark, there was a parade (that I dont recall seeing too much of) and then fireworks. I never really saw the culteral side, nor did I know of the whole list of activities available.

This year, Im going to SEE IT ALL. And of course, dear Blog, will report with my own unique POV.

What is the FOL? This link to the official website tells the story of 2 lovers kept apart by fate, who are reunited and turn into Monarch Butterflies. The festival celebrates the legend quite well, and there is even a Queen Topaz contest, plays and a re-enactment of the Legend.
:D How exciting! I cant wait!
And there's more...here is a site that contains pictures and more pictures of previous Feasts. There are a few "broken links" here, but if you stay in the picture section I think youll be ok.

In the beginning... June

For some reason, I have caught a bug - its the Big Sur hiking bug. Im flush with the fever! This is around June/July.

I recently purchased a book called "77 Great Hikes" by Robert Stone - get it, get it??? listing all these local little day-hikes, which some I knew about and some that are new to moi. In this section of my Blog, Ill chronical my adventures, organised under each hike number, and Ill try to put a date or something.

hikes 65-69 - sample

First I started with a little "taste" of Andrew Molera, which is the largest park here in this area.
According to Mr. Pebble, er, I mean Mr. Stone (who doesnt have a website by the way), this park is the largest park in the Big Sur state park system, at over 4,,800 acres (no not 5,000), and over 15 trails. I walked past the ranger station, where there is a really nice clean bathroom, and took the Creamery trail. lots of people are walking this area, and there are some that are campers, some randome walkers/bikers and some that are barbquers. I crossed a stream on a wavy bridge. For some reason, I felt like it was a "haunted trail" - was it because it was late afternoon? the cloudy sky with dark clouds? The wind creaking through the trees, making them squeak and squeal and moan? All of the above?

I have done some of the walks in Garland Ranch, most of the ones in Point Lobos, and many in Toro Park. So I feel like I am good to go. Ill use this section of my Blog to chronical all the cool places to hike in this area and all the things that are around this time of year...plus my experiences and my point of view...to provide you with entertainment.

Hike #59 Sobranes ocean (west side)
This one is sweet - its flat and easy, right on the ocean and there are a few really great "zen places" to go and just have a great THINK. I came to the trailhead and took the right side pathway, which according to the tip given to me by a local at the photography shop, is where I get to see the "secret waterfalls" that no one typically fnds. I saw crashing waves, lovers intertwined on rocks, little streams, and a drainpipe carrying water under the highway. It was nice!

Well things are looking pretty darn good for this butterfly. Myself and my fellow BFG are going to Vito's restaurant tonight at 8, where the men are men and the women are appreciated.
:D

I have spent several hours dancing the night away with Mr. Vito, and lets just say he knows how to "cut the rug"!!!

Check out this review, and I'll tell you what happens during my dining experience. I dont know If I can clear my plate, however.

*****

(That Night) Well I arrived with my GF, who was wearing a skirt up to here with legs up to there, and we were recieved warmly. And dare I continue? Vito's little girl A*, recieved us. At about 8 or so, and 3 1/2 feet, she greets us at the door like a little oompa loompa man. Except shes very bent on her "tasks". We must be seated. Whether or not we enjoy the experience is not her concern - we will be seated, so we can eat and pay our check and leave a tip. Its very simple.

Well, the waittress took over and it was much more pleasant. An hour of girl-talk, and then we were joined by the owner, his little boy A* and A*. They are both gymnasts headed for Olympic gold, and I was bullied into paying my check quickly so that I could leave, both by my accomplice and the "helper".

What ever happened to "girlpower"?

The restaurant - its ina strip mall in PAcific Grove, off of Forest, and it has a giant Mural of Sicily (I think) on one wall, and a fireplace next to it. Other than that it is a room with tables and chairs, in a strip mall.
The People - mostly locals, and retourning guests. Everyone is jovial and happy, and they range in age from 25-65. All YUPPIES. You have to at least have a job (or 2) to be able to afford the meals (at a minimum plate cost of $15.00).
The Food - we shared a few appetizers, starting with the Ceasar salad. (it was good - but I like lemon. There was no lemon.) Next we tried the manila clams in broth - we didnt like that too much...but the next one was "aaaahhhhh". Melt-in-your-mouth Gnocci with a red sauce (you cant get two sauces in one dish to try them - its all of one or the other, BTW), which is the house specialty. Then Calamari cutletts, breaded thickly and spiced. Those were really really good too. But back to the gnocci! We never did get "free refills" on our empty plates.
After dinner fun - After the calamari we were offered a dessert by the owner to try - a Special homemade Tiramisu, with a secret recipe (RUM! OOps) - it melts in your mouth its so moist, and has a little "punch" of sweetness.
:D


So, alls well that ends well - it was a pleasnt if short evening out with the GF.

love - your favorite butterfly girl