Our destination today was the quaint village of Carmel-by-the-Sea (often simply called Carmel).
Incorporated in 1916, it is known for its natural scenery and rich artistic history. In 1906, the San Francisco Call devoted a full page to the "artists, writers and poets at Carmel-by-the-Sea", and in 1910 it reported that 60 percent of Carmel's houses were built by citizens who were "devoting their lives to work connected to the aesthetic arts." Early City Councils were dominated by artists, and the city has had several mayors who were poets or actors, including Herbert Heron, founder of the Forest Theater, bohemian writer and actor Perry Newberry, and actor-director Clint Eastwood. Interestingly, this was the last place photographer Ansel Adams called home. Way, way cool.
Everywhere we looked we discovered "cuteness". We loved this town.
Sustenance was found at the Carmel Bakery, a bakeshop which has been dispensing European-style pastries & pretzels, coffee, soups & sandwiches here since 1906.
Uniqueness abounds in Carmel. For instance, this was interesting... one of the few remaining "milk shrines" that were once positioned every two blocks along Ocean Avenue, the main drag. In the early 20th century, residents left cash and dairy orders in the open hutches to be exchanged every day for fresh butter, cheese, and milk. Now, as in those early days, neighbors gather at the post office to gossip. Most houses in the mile-square central hamlet are named, not numbered, and everyone who is able picks up mail from a warren of boxes on Fifth Street. The city delivers only to the homebound.
Steve didn't seem to notice that he was interrupting the intimacy of the couple sitting next to him.
And the town is not afraid of whimsy!
Our longest pause was to learn about the Carmel Mission. The history of San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission takes place over more than 200 years of California's historical timeline. The restored Mission, a National Historic Landmark, was founded in 1770 by Father Junipero Serra, the second of the chain of California missions. The mission served as the headquarters from which Serra directed the expanding mission system of California.
It is here, in the Basilica, that Serra is buried. This was his favorite of the nine missions he saw to completion.
These simple crosses, adorned with abalone shells, mark just a few of the thousands of graves that are the final resting place for the indigenous people who perished here. Sad reminders.
This was Father Serra's cell, the room in which he lived and died (1784).
And this was rather cool... California’s First Library (founded in 1770) that contains Father Serra’s 400 year-old Bible. The same bible that Ronald Reagan used to be sworn in as our State's governor. Interesting stuff everywhere.
With a population of less than 4,000 people, Carmel-by-the-Sea surprisingly wowed us. We plan to return for a longer explore to learn even more about this unique place.
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1 comments:
Carmel by the Sea reminds me of our favorite city on Gran Canaria, Agüimes.
So many similarities, the art, the little shops, the food, the population. I hope you make it there when you are in the Canary Islands!!
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