Mission Trip

Success!  Arrival at the hotel.  Unfortunately, the outside was the best thing about it.

Soaking it up.

Outside Mission San Antonio de Padua, waiting for the gift store to open.

More fountains!

Vineyard Picnic

Vineyard picnic party with roosters.

Orange soda!

Sugar Shopping

Satchmo scored a chocolate frog. 

California Bound

Satchmo has been very disorganized and has forgotten many times to post the pictures of his most recent California adventure.  Before he can forget again, here they are!

Waiting for our flight with a brand new shirt!

Many hours later, a brand new car!

Brand new burgers!

Thanksgiving!

Eat your veggies.

Unexpected Blossoms

The dead garden had some life in it after all.

Lying in Wait . . .

Boo!  Betcha I scared you, haha!

Satch-Mo-Lantern

Satchmo carves his first jack-o-lantern!  Just because he can't go trick-or-treating this year doesn't mean he can't have a little fun.

The perfect pumpkin is selected.

The face is drawn, the old traditional look.

Insides out!

Carving complete.

Boo!

Goodbye!

Tom'Atto heads back home.  Satchmo will stay and travel to the east coast next year.

Drunky Monkey

Mr. Katchoop partied a little too hard his last night in California.  Satchmo was a fuddy-duddy and went to bed early.

Carmel

They finally made it to the Carmel mission!  Also the first place they had to buy admission.

Lovely fountains!

Gates and trees!

And Fr. Serra.

Good Times

Nothing like a playground on a sunny day.

And nothing makes it better than a picnic with banana runts from the quarter vending machine!  However, a quarter doesn't seem to go as far as it once did.

Differences of Opinion

Satchmo likes flowers.  He seems to be an emerging botanist. 

Tom'Atto likes risks.  He would like to swim with sharks someday.

More Beaches

Yet another stretch of beach.  Lots of eucalyptus trees.  Looked pretty.  Smelled funny.

Boardwalk!  And lots of sand.  Sand, sand, sand.

Bigfoot wuz here.

Their very own private sand bar.

Sand dunes, without iceplant!  All natural organic beaches.

Popcorn Party

Back to the farmer's market for more kettle corn, and then home for a classic movie.

Life on the Edge

The road less traveled.

Dangerous dunes.

More roadside beach!

Sweets for the Sweet

Tootsie Pop party in the afternoon sun.

Second Sandcastle

Back to the beach with Satchmo for their second sandcastle attempt.

Better design, better real estate.  Notice the wet all around it.

Success!  Quick, before the wave comes!

First Sandcastle

Checking out the sand dune tunnels.

Quite the view.

Soaking up sun.  If only he had packed his margarita mixer.

The pit.

The throne.  Still not entirely sure how to properly plan a sandcastle.

Sea serpent, or sea weed?

Satchmo

Tom'Atto was getting a little lonely on his exciting vacation.

He revisits the awesome candy store to ransom Satchmo, his new best friend.

They also picked up a little somethin' for the road.

Appreciating the lovely view and extra-large waves in Pacific Grove.

Best buds forever!