Asilomar, Asilomar - Pacific Grove, California

The word 'asilomar' is derived from the Spanish term asilar mar which means the refuge by the sea, and I see why it was named so!

 

Not only is this area a popular destination for beach strollers or surfers, but it is a home to a wide  variety of wildlife also, which made this adventure a memoriable one.

One aspect that I like about Asilomar besides the quality of white sand and crystal clear waters is the array of seashells that are scattered to and fro in every nook among the rocks

Getting this picture took some serious talent and coordination, in which I can be lacking on some days!  This photo was shot through about one foot of water with a tide constantly changing, but it turned out great in my opinion!

Bridge to the Beach

I have this innate feeling that once I leave this area, I am going to want to come back time and time again... and for good reason!  The thought of taking a few sailing lessons has crossed my mind a few times here and there, so that just might be a goal before I leave! 

Wave Watchers

Out of curiosity one day, I quick stopped in at one of the local Real Estate offices and had a chat with some of the agents there and flat out asked them prices on beach front property. 

In My Dreams!

If I recall correctly, one of the lesser priced lots was listed at $9,500,000.00, and it was not by any means grand! 

Life of Pacific Grove

Sea spray and Seagulls

Taking these photos was quite possibly one of the most relaxing things that I have done within this year, granted it was only the end of February, but...

Monarch Butterfly
Coming to the end of their 2,000 mile
migration, for some droves of these Butterflies
come to the edge of the Pacific right here
to the Pacific Grove area to
lay to rest...

I was impressed as to how this picture turned out with the shimmering reflections on the water and having on of these waders staying still long enough to make a decent shot!

Treasured Moments

I could not believe my eyes as I was walking down in one of the neighborhoods when I came across this pair taking part in the shining sun. 

On the Watch

February Flora - Pacific Grove, California

Bee Business

This is a photo that I hope everyone can thoroughly enjoy!  I was impressed by just how clear and sharp this turn out while this bee was quite uncooperative the whole time!  Then again, he had a job to do and he would not want to make the misses back home upset for coming home late...

After living in the Monterey area for almost two years, I still don't understand the seasons of this bay!  Springtime was in full swing at the end of February and the colder months are June and July, but May and October seemed to be the "summer" months.  Granted, any day of the year could be a foggy autumn day at any given time!

I wish I could have found the name to this park, but it is one of the only areas of the Monterey Bay to have this kind of long, droopy Spanish moss.  All I know is it was not too far from the butterfly sanctuary in Pacific Grove.

Day on the Water - Moss Landing, CA

I think a proper title to this picture would be "just taking a peek".  That is what they did all day was pop out of the water just enough to get me excited but not long enough to take a picture - except once!

Moss Landing is the home to a wide variety of marine and bird life.  The Elkhorn Slough is a protected area and is also the home to laboratories and project centers for numerous colleges and organizations of the State of California.

It was a perfect day to take out the kayaks out for a paddle.  The otters were playing and there was quite an array of various bird life ranging from snowy egrets to double crested cormorants, along with the ever present seals of Coastal California.

Asilomar Sunsets - Pacific Grove, California

Lux Mundi - Light off the World

Catching this sunset was by mere luck.  I had this feeling all day that day that it was going to be a gorgeous evening, and sure enough, this is what it resulted it in!  

Silence at Land's End

Being able to stand there on the rocks with the mist from the waves sweeping your face gives you a new sense of Life.

Monterey State Beach - Sand City, CA

Surfs Up!  Part of the Sand City area, the Monterey State Beach is one of  the best places to spend time on the Beach if the Sun is full!

On days like this, it is common to see people out on a  scavenger hunt for sea shells, sand dollars, and even sea glass.  On occasion, when I would babysit friends' dogs, this was also a great place to play fetch.  With plenty of room to roam and also low lying dunes to throw a stick on top of and wear out the dog!

Basilica of Saint Joseph - San Jose, California

The construction of the fifth and final cathedral began on the 22 of April, 1877, after a long history of earthquakes and fires striking the Bay Area.  I am sure this is one of my first times visiting a Basilica in my lifetime, but I am sure that it will not be the last!  When I breached the doorway into this ornate sanctuary, I was in awe.

The dome of the Basilica was completed in 1885, with a stained glass sunlight that was made in Bavaria, Germany, is surrounded by murals of eight saints which were done by an Italian immigrant Father Luigi Sciocchetti in 1928.

I am well aware of my odd obsession with the pipe organ, but this one I would say has topped them all of which I have seen.  I read upon on the history of this Basilica and discovered that the Odell Pipe organ was installed in 1886 after being custom made and designed in New York and remains one of four of it's kind within the United States.  This organ is a 16-foot, two manual pipe organ with 1,521 pipes!

In 1981, the Cathedral was inaugurated as the Diocese of San Jose and in 1985, the Vatican approved the Diocese, then in 1997 Saint Joseph received the title of a Minor Basilica.

 

Serving over 600,000 Catholics in the San Jose-Santa area, the Basilica holds Mass in both English and Spanish. 

 

A view from top to bottom.

Restoration projects have kept the timelessness of pieces of work suchas this Station of the Altar in

pristine condition for over a century now.

Five Wounds Church - San Jose, California

Igreja Nacional Portuguesa das Cinco Chargas, or the Five Wounds Portuguese National Church, is an important symbol of the Portuguese Community in the Santa Clara Valley. 

Each time that I made my way to San Jose, I had always admired this beautiful structure, and finally had some spare time to go with a friend and visit, and her and I are sure glad we did!

The history behind this church is fascinating! 

The Parish was dedicated by Father Henrique Ribeiro on November 8, 1914, and with only volunteer help of the community, was this church built.  It was after the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Fransisco closed was it that the community brought the timbers of the Portuguese Pavilion along the historic El Camino Real, or Royal Highway, that were used to built the framework of this landmark to the Portuguese People of the Bay Area.

Another fact that I found quite unique about this church was that it holds services not only in English and Portuguese, but also in Latin.



The cornerstone of the Church was laid on October, 1, 1916 as a community effort to provide not only a place of worship and prayer but also as a school for local children and a community center.

It was not hard to be taken aback by the beauty of the Church itself, but while it was adorned with Christmas decorations amidst the soft blue and gold was truly a sight to behold.

The edifice was completed on July 13, 1919, with the unique Manueline style which is specific to Portuguese heritage.