The One Where I Finally Wear The Uniform Of My Keepers

We had planned this trip to see our friends Songwriters In Paradise in Napa, Ca since late 2019. We had attended the same event the prior April and had a lovely time. The 2020 trip we planned to extend our California visit and see some other areas aside from San Fran and Napa, so we booked a flight into LAX, planned to drive north and see some other areas prior to SIP.

Swimming pools. Movie stars.

*the world started falling apart*

That trip was cancelled and postponed. Three times. four?

DO YOU FEEL LUCKY, PUNK?

2021. Onward and upward we flew to LAX and headed north. Since the ‘traveling conditions’ aren’t ideal we opted to stay at one resort in Carmel before heading to Napa for the events instead of hotel hopping up the coast. Have you been to Carmel? The only thing I knew about Carmel was that Clint Eastwood lived there. Don’t ask me why I know this; my brain holds onto random, useless facts.

WHY SO MANY QUESTIONS?

I’m not sure what has happened to me in the last few years, but I’ve turned into the most quizzical person on the planet. I want to have a field trip to just about anywhere. Near our place in GA there is a marble plant/mine/whatever. I have endless questions about it every time we pass it. “Do you think they just go deeper and deeper and the marble is just there? Will the earth run out of marble? I’m sure the Coach’s heart starts racing when we’re in the vicinity of that place as the questions WILL.COME. I need a field trip there and then I might shut the hell up.

On the drive from LAX to Carmel, which was almost 6 hours, I had a least 768 questions concerning all the agriculture and oil fields I saw.

Suz Asks:

What kind of trees do you think those are? Maybe persimmons? Apricots?

Could those be avocado trees? They kind of look like avocados.

Hey, they grow almonds here. I think THOSE are almond trees.

Can you pull over so I can look at those plants with my app and figure out what they are?

I could go for a taco salad right about now.

I had NO idea how much agriculture there is in California. Did you guys know this?

Again, please pull over, I think that’s an arugula farm and I want to double-check.

SO MANY OIL FIELDS

Why are some of the oil pumps moving and some are not?

I’d really love to stop and see how they process all the veggies at that farm; field trip anyone?

My poor travel companions.

I was in charge of the hotel research before our trip and wanted to stay in a boutique hotel IN the downtown area. The Coach preferred a larger resort with more amenities about 15 minutes from the downtown area.

We stayed at the resort and I’m not that bitter about it.

The one good thing about the resort is it had many ‘experiences’ for you to enjoy while being on property.

We chose two experiences; one for the girls and one for the four of us.

They had a gosh darn bonafide beekeeping session. HELLO? I’ve been waiting for this all my life.

Does this outfit make my crotch look extra long and flimsy?

Ya’ll, I learned SO much about bees. I’m almost ashamed that I didn’t know IT ALL before. But rest assured, I know it all now.

That’s my Cuz Eddie up there.

This was the most enjoyable 90 minutes I’ve had in a while. Of course I wanted to get home so I could start my own hives. But I probably won’t take on that task anytime soon as it might interfere with my life’s work of catching of a baby dolphin to raise as my own.

My rose and my thorn for this little experience: I was able to identify the Queen bee out of this hive, but she didn’t look a thing like me OR Elizabeth.

That’s all I’m gonna share today because I don’t want to overwhelm you. Plus, you might have 768 questions about this.

Fun fact: The Coach agreed that if we ever get back to this area, we’re going to try a boutique hotel as the resort charges you up the wahoo in resort fees. And those fees don’t cover the bees.

Has anyone had their hands on a hive before? Have you been to Carmel? Fun fact: It doesn’t smell like CARAMEL.

XOXO

31 thoughts on “The One Where I Finally Wear The Uniform Of My Keepers”

  1. I was also aware of the useless fact that Clint Eastwood lived in Carmel. Why do our brains hold on to these things?? I believe Sonny Bono was mayor there before he was killed while skiing (hit a tree). SEE? I’ll take random facts for $100, Alex.

    Oh no, he’s dead too.
    That quickly turned morbid.

    Your photos are fantastic! I, too, would have many questions. California is such a cool place. The weather, the flowers, the people. Fun, fun, fun. I’m glad you had a good time. Can’t wait for more pictures. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I believe it was good ol’ Clint who was mayor of Carmel. The late hubs was a fan, that’s my excuse for knowing these random things! 🤣
      I agree with you, Kari! Suz, fantastic photos and story! I also want to read one day about you raising that dolphin. Pretty please!

      Deb

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Kari-I hate to burst your random facts bubble, but Sonny Bono was the Mayor of Palm Springs. Do you now owe me 100 bucks?
      WHY DO I KNOW THIS? I’ve only been to CA 3 times in my life.
      Thank you for the compliments today.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. I personally know three beekeepers! (Yet, I’ve never had my hands on a hive.) What an awesome trip you had. And I am just like you; I think field trips are the best, and why go anyplace and not learn a whole bunch of new stuff?

    Liked by 1 person

  4. I’ve only heard of BottleRock, but SIP sounds really cool! I’ve not been to Carmel, but is it the same as Carmel by the Sea? I have a friend who claims it’s the best place in America. Thoughts?

    Lol at your agriculture questions. The first time I realized I was standing under an olive tree in Sonoma, I was overly excited. I love olives!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We’ve seen SIP in The Bahamas a few times, Napa twice, Cabo, and they’ve come to our hood to do some veterans events for us; nice people.

      I don’t know if I could say it’s the best place in America, but it was pretty darn nice.

      Like

  5. I must inform Coach that my need to sleep after we’re in the car for more than 30 minutes is a BLESSING.

    I’ve never been to California. My high school was called Carmel, does that count? 😉 I’d love to visit CA. So much to see, I’m not sure where to start. Good to know you can offer pointers and suggestions, if I ever get so lucky to book a trip out there. No, I’ve never had my hands on a hive.

    I guess trips where we learn things are exciting – I’m still recovering from growing up in a family where EVERY.VACATION.WAS.HISTORICAL/EDUCATIONAL, so sometimes I’m fine just relaxing. No joke, we had to write in journals about what we saw and what we learned when we got back to the hotel. We did enjoy trips to Disney, thank goodness – still. Yawn fest.

    Great pictures. Sounds like a great trip, that was buzzing with new experiences. What do they mean, charging an arm and a leg and not including the bees?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We enjoyed our trip, but honestly, I don’t think we are really ‘California people’. Not sure if that makes sense. We decided we don’t need to go back for a while…although, this was only my third trip to California ever.
      Your educational family vacations sound about as fun as a pap smear.

      Like

  8. I so enjoy your writing, just so you know! I would be wondering about the trees and the agriculture as well. I love honey bees and am envious of your experience. Recently, husband dealt with a wasp nest built in the insulation of our home. A different experience altogether. The best line in your post was the last one!! Not caramel – disappointing. -Jenn

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Jenn. I think I write just how I speak….so it’s like we’re sitting down and chatting. But I can’t hear you until you leave a note. 🙂
      Wasps are a-holes and I have NO patience or time for them. They kill my butterfly caterpillars so I’m not a fan and I take great joy in killing them.

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  10. How fun! Are you going to start your own hives? My neighbour used to keep bees and the honey was amazing. I’m glad you had such a great trip. I would have loved your questions, I am that way as well.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. No hives for me. Maybe a few years ago I would have taken on that task, but now I’m very distracted with the Georgia house and going back and forth; I’d never be able to keep up with them as they would need.

      Like

  12. I have been to Carmel, as a matter of fact. Monterey is my favorite place in California, and that’s basically a hop and a skip away.

    Glad you got to hang out with bees. Looks like fun…I’d try that!

    Liked by 1 person

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