Monterey RV Trip (42)

A great advantage to living in the San Francisco Bay Area is that we can visit places like Monterey Bay at our own pace, and not feel rushed to take in everything on one visit. We get to come back again and again any enjoy a different visit each time (RV Trip #8, RV Trip #29, RV Trip #37).

We stayed in Moss Landing, a short drive to Monterey. We got a late start on Friday (as work always comes first. Work before play!) but managed a good walk along the beach and marina.

Four Daughters and Three Sons…coincidence? I think not. 🙂

On this trip, we enjoyed Pacific Grove and the Carmel Mission on Saturday. Pacific Grove is one of the most beautiful spots in America, and a stroll along the beach is a great way to take it all in.

There was a lot going on at Lover’s Point…kayaking, swimming, scuba diving, a water baptism service by a local church, and even a charity 5K ending in the park.

A lone boat waiting for scuba divers who were swimming in the kelp beds.

More divers entering the ocean. And yes, the water was really that blue!

After our walk and a lunch, we went to Carmel Mission. After visiting the La Purisima Mission in Lompoc a few months ago, we were eager to take in another of the 21 California missions.

Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo was the mission headquarters where Father Junipero Serra managed the mission system. It’s a beautiful mission that is beautifully restored and still serves as a church.

Here’s a little history. In 1834 the Mexican government secularized the mission system, and unfortunately the  church was in ruins by the time California became a territory of the United States. In 1859, the mission and lands were returned to the Catholic Church and restoration began. Now the church looks much the way it did in the time of Father Serra.

Really loved the craftsmanship of the many doors.

Shrine to Christ the King (18th century) and Our Lady of Bethlehem (15th century!).

The main alter where Junipero Serra is buried.

Juniper Serra lived very simply. Here is his room, which is more simple and sparse than the guest rooms of the mission.

These are symbolic graves for more than 4,000 indians who were buried in the area.

After a day of site seeing, we ventured into Carmel for a cappuccino.

Both Pacific Grove and the Carmel Mission were beautiful and inspiring in many ways.

We are now looking forward to our next trip to Bend, Oregon for some kayaking, biking, and spending quality time with family.