My husband's dad, 91 years young, came to visit us last week. He flew in from Phoenix - a two-hour flight into San Jose. 
He arrived Saturday, July 21, and just flew home yesterday (Monday, July 30) These two photos were taken at church Sunday. The first one is during coffee time and the second one was just before bible class began.
This past week we visited our nephew and his wife who live just north of Santa Cruz. We visited them Thursday evening for dinner, and then again Sunday for a picnic. These beautiful flowers were sitting on the table welcoming all who arrived. I think I was told they are Star Gazer Lilies.
While visiting, my daughter and I wanted to go walk down to the beach area. This photo is looking back (east) toward the place where my nephew and his wife live, toward Highway 1. This area north of Santa Cruz is protected from development and will always be zoned as agricultural. The land between the highway and the bay/ocean is all farm land. What you see here is a field of brussel sprouts.
When we got to the beach we could see birds flying out around the water. I not only had my camera with, but also brought my binoculars. The wind was blowing pretty hard and it was a challenge to plant myself firmly in the sand and focus out on the water. I knew there were seagulls flying around, but I could also see dark colored birds. I wanted to know what they were. I finally got a decent glimpse and realized they were all brown pelicans. This was the best I could do for a picture.
On our way back from the beach we saw this bumble bee on a thistle. Photo taken by "Red." Here are other photos taken by Red (my daughter) on our way back to the "farm."
Looking back to the bay/ocean - looking north toward Half Moon Bay.
Looking south toward Monterey. You can see the marine layer (aka fog) between Santa Cruz and Monterey.
And here is another shot looking south toward Santa Cruz and Monterey. We were standing on the dirt road between here and the brussel sprouts.
And here is one more shot of Dad enjoying himself during the picnic.
10 comments:
What a fine looking 91 year old. I love his outfit. I wonder if your husband has inherited all those good genes? You live in a very beautiful area.
Your father-in-law is a handsome fella. It sounds like you had a wonderful visit with him. Your daughter takes very lovely photos. Such beautiful places you visited!
Hi Mary,
Looks like you had a wonderful week with lots of great family time. I love Grandfather's red bowtie....he looks like a man who has worn bowties most of his adult life. (he looks so good for 91 years young!!)
I love the smell of stargazer lilies too--that is a beautiful bouquet.
Thanks for sharing all these great pictures.
Bless his heart, Mary. 91 years old and still traveling and enjoying himself!
Nice pictures!
Hi Mary, Love the new look to your blog! "Red" should be congratulated! The pictures from your visit are making me nostalgic for California, they're so pretty.
And your father-in-law is amazing!
Such a nice-looking man..and traveling all by himself from Phoenix, no less! Good for him!
What a lovely place you live in. I never tire of ocean views--so magnificent and rich in colors! I would stare out to sea all day.
Hi everybody. Thanks so much for the compliments. Yes, Dad is amazing at his age. He doesn't get around as well as he used to, but then wouldn't we all like to get around as well as he does now for his age.
Nina - thanks for visiting my blog. I sometimes wish I lived closer to the ocean, but then I would probably want to stare out to sea and not get anything else done. You are right, ocean views are magnificent - always something to see and appreciate.
Dear Mary,
I love the new look! Easy to read and nice for all of your amazing photos!
I love traveling with you. I remember our vacation in California and Hiway 1. We stayed at Carmel By the Sea. I loved it so much we ended up staying a few extra days. Monteray was lovely too.
Your Father-in-law is a grand man!
I too hope I am still traveling at 92 years young.
Thank you so very much for the trip.
Lovely.
Sherry
Hi Sherry - thanks for stopping by. Aaahhh - Carmel by the Sea - I would love to visit there more often if it weren't so darned expensive to stay there overnight. By the way, did you visit during the time of the monarch butterfly migration? There is a sanctuary in Pacific Grove where monarch butterflies cluster together on pine trees and eucalyptus trees to overwinter. This takes place between October and March each year. After seeing your photos and other blogging buddies' photos of butterflies this summer I am inclined to visit that sanctuary this fall. It's been a few years since I've been there - and it wasn't during the fall or winter.
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