Cesar Chavez Holiday Weekend in Carmel and Big Sur

The State of California kindly gave me an extra day off to honor the important work of Cesar Chavez.  The continued abuse of farm workers was always present as we drove through the San Joaquin and Salinas Valleys on our way to the coast.  While we did enjoy our holiday, we also renewed our commitment to sustainable farming - for the land and the workers.

A trip to the Monterey Peninsula wouldn't be complete without a stop at Casa de Fruta for a snack and leg stretch.  While I headed inside for drinks, Sean walked the dogs near the peacocks. They were enthralled.

Once in Carmel we headed straight for the dog-friendly beach at the end of Ocean Avenue to smell the sea and let the dogs feel the sand under their paws.  It was sunny and lovely.

That is Kodi's happy face

Sean napped with the dogs while I shopped the fabulous shops of Carmel.  Everyone got presents - Sean from Tommy Bahama and the huskies from Diggidy Dog.  Our hotel, the Carmel Mission Inn, welcomed dogs and had an awesome undersea mural with blue lights that shone on it above the bed.  The huskies were welcome at our lunch stop for burgers, but not our seafood dinner.  Carmel loves its dogs.

Fire on the patio at Carmel Mission Inn

Saturday threatened rain, but we had a hearty breakfast at Em Le's Cafe, including their "secret" syrup, and headed down Highway 1 to Big Sur.  The trees were lovely, but the rain prevented us seeing much of the coast.

Too rainy

We made it as far as Coast Gallery, where I picked up a cool photo of otters for my new office, and then headed back to Carmel for some rainy day wine tasting.  First we picked up some baguette, olives, and cheeses at the Carmel Cheese Shop, including our favorite from the last trip: Piedmont.  Tastings at Wrath and Cima Collina left us with a 4-pack and case, respectively.  The rain appeared to be letting up, so we headed back to change into sneakers and walk the huskies on the trail by the mission, but it once again began to rain, so instead we had an impromptu cheese and wine late lunch in the hotel room. Late dinner at Rio Grill deliciously ended a great day on the coast.

Sunday dawned clear and sunny so we made a quick stop at Crepes of Brittany at Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey and then headed down Highway 1 to see the sights.  Saturday's storm meant high surf warnings and the waves were spectacular!

Sunny day at Big Sur

Our trusty book, Dog-friendly Hikes in Central California, pointed us to Pfeiffer Beach where we had a blast soaking in the ocean sights, sounds, and smells.

This is Sean's happy face

The waves threatened to soak the trio, but Ili stood her ground

Can you spot the husky in this photo?

So many sniffs to sniff!

Sandy paws meant we found beach "souvenirs" in the travel kennels for the next week

What a great way to celebrate the end of Ili's radiation treatment and the almost end of Kodi's chemotherapy.  It was a glorious weekend on the coast!