Martin's Halloween costume

Inside this sock monkey is a local hobbyist named Martin who made this costume himself. I found him visiting various shops in downtown Monterey. He has also made a perfect replica of the 1926 Monterey Golden State Theater out of balsa wood.

travelers hotel

I was in Salinas a few weeks ago during the day and noticed this old place. I was curious if the neon worked but the person behind the desk didn't speak English, so on a recent trip out there was glad to see it lit up after all. Are neon signs a fading art form? You don't see much of it anymore in Monterey.

Erin

 I ran into Erin Gafill a local painter recently. In 1947 Her grandparents built Nepenthe Restaurant in Big Sur, a legendary watering hole for artists, writers, poets and bohemians. Quite a history there.

sand hill

Snapped through a windshield, this large sand dune which today reads "I LOVE YOU IVAN" is visible to Highway 1 traffic in Monterey. It serves as sort of a public billboard. Every day there is some new message spelled out with clumps of ice plant dragged from below. Last week it read "Marry Me Veronica"

Stewarts Beach

Early morning at possibly my favorite beach here, located at the south end of Carmel.

Bruce Ariss

Monterey artist Bruce Ariss was part of John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts' circle back in the 1930s and 40s. This mural panel painted by Ariss, which stands across from the Cannery Row waterfront, depicts a slice of daily life down on the "row", including a few colorful characters who lived in abandoned pipes.

tiny tourist

Spotted in Carmel over the weekend, apparently studying her travel map itinerary. Today's submission to the colorful photo blog My World Tuesday.

Taelen Thomas

We ran into Mr. Thomas at a street fair recently. He is a local actor known for his compelling portrayals of Jack London and Mark Twain. Somehow the word "rakish" seems fitting here.

Monterey Mural 10-12-10

I was surprised to discover this mural a few days ago. It seemed to appear overnight next to a popular scuba beach in Monterey. Not sure who the artist is.

art & film festival

Spotted in a theater courtyard, part of this weekend's Carmel Art & Film Festival. Cutouts created by the Los Angeles-based street art phenomenon Mr. Brainwash.

Einstein was never Carmel's mayor but Clint was..so I figured we could slide into  My World Tuesday

Rosine's Cakes

There is a restaurant (Rosines) in downtown Monterey known for its generous portions. When you order a slice of cake you get about 1/8 of an entire cake. Maybe not such a good thing, but I can't help marveling at the sheer confectionary overkill. It's like the 1950s.

shark board

I think I momentarily blinded him with my flash as he emerged from the sea depths, but I was smitten with this surfboard. Short boards are known to be fast and easy to turn but not for beginners.  Taken a few days ago on Carmel beach.

castle house

This house on Ocean View Blvd in Pacific Grove is surrounded by ornate Victorians. I'm not sure what style of architecture is is, exactly.  Maybe Byzantine Farmhouse. 

boys

Today, two (apparently) bored boys were told to sit on a bus bench while their mother shopped inside the eyeglass store in Carmel. The moment she left, one got the other in a headlock and the most unbelievable wrestling match ensued.