Monday, August 2, 2021

Califortieth

When Nel turned forty, she always wanted to take an elaborate trip to Europe, but things don't always turn out the way we plan, and instead she took a grand California camping road trip, and she called it Califortieth.  I shared some of the time and pictures with you when she visited me in the mountains, but she went to many other great places before.  Jess and her family joined her, and there were some interesting sites they saw along the way.  These were taken at their first stop.





The next camping spot






On their way to the Humbolt Redwoods campground, and I love this picture of Renecke and Nel by the fire pit.








Nel has read so many books in her lifetime that I thought this picture suits her.




At the Waterfalls

 Jess taking a picture of me taking a picture.  ; )



I'm glad they were able to climb down to the rocks at the base of the Waterfalls.  When you look up, it's magnificent!


I LOVE this picture and want to frame it someday.  Francesca is looking through all my jewelry and trying everything on.



On their way back, they stopped at beautiful Carmel.  This is somewhat of an expensive area, but one must visit here when in California.



This is the garden and pathway to the Thomas Kinkade Gallery.



I have always loved his art, and have a painting above my mantel that looks wintery with all the snow.



Nel bought this pen with the birthday money I gave her.  She was journaling the whole trip, and the two pens she brought ran dry.  She was so glad to buy this pen so she could record the rest of the trip.



Here's Mia at the restaurant eating caviar for the first time.  Nel didn't think she'd like it, but she LOVED it and asked the waiter for more.   He thought that was so funny and brought her a second helping.  Nel told me, "baby has expensive taste." haha



After Carmel, Jess and Brian took a detour and went to Santa Cruz, an area that holds a special place in their hearts.  While I love the mountains, they long for the ocean, and here is Francesca surfing with Papa.



Well, that's some of the happenings on Nel's Califortieth journey.  She said it really was a lovely time all around.



~Sheri 

28 comments:

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I've enjoyed reading back through the last few posts to see where you've been and the fun you've had. Love the birthday trip too...perfect for this year! Enjoy your day sweet friend!

Pam said...

Oh so much fun....from the mountains to the ocean and all between. I love the pics. I bet with two little ones so close to age were full of fun and excitement.

Anne Hagman-Niilola said...

Absolutely wonderful posting,-))

Chatty Crone said...

Oh my gosh I love traveling with you and your BEAUTIFUL family. I love mountains and beaches. Looks like everyone had a great time. I won't even eat caviar! The two little girls and the two big girls are beautiful!

Carla from The River said...

I just love that she planned this for her 40th. What a great memory for her and her family.
Thank you for sharing, I enjoyed it.
Love, Carla

R's Rue said...

Beautiful photos.

Laurel Wood said...

Sheri, I love this post and the photos.I see your granddaughters are fans of graham crackers too!!! Is that your new shirt that you are wearing at the base of the falls? It is so pretty. I have never been camping, but this looks like so much fun. I Adore your T. Kinkade art. One time while visiting Charleston SC with my brother, my mom met T. Kinkade at one of his galleries. She was thrilled! Later that year, my brother gifted mother his art for Christmas. Wishing you a pleasant evening.🌹

CiNdEe's GaRdEn said...

What a great trip. The redwoods are something to see and Carmel is also a great place to visit. I am not much of a camper in my old age, but when I was young I did a lot of camping. Lots of fun memories to look back on. I am sure the kids will always remember the Califortieth adventure.

Louca por porcelana said...

Wonderful time!!! How precious!Family is all...Beautiful pics. Hugs and blessings.

Marilyn Miller said...

What a great 40th adventure. I do love Carmel and north to Santa Cruz for a little body surfing. The sea would be what would keep my in it's hands. I love the sea and beach walking. Then camping in the redwoods would be special too. This is my country of growing up.

Ginny Hartzler said...

Nel is so beautiful, as are the children. Wow, Mia has sophistacated taste buds for her age! I love this horse sculpture, it is so elegant and exilarating! Looks like it is filigree made with some very fine wire of some kind. Love the moss covered tree limbs with the mist in the background. And the teddy bear photo is pure joy.

Debby said...

I love those kinds of vacations. California is so diverse in geography and climate that it takes years to see every inch of it. Sounds like they had a blast and the kids had fun too.

Patricia said...

What a super post, Sheri. A Califortieth sound like such a great idea, and the photos are great fun. Dear little Mia, loving caviar - she will have a discerning palette as she grows up. I love the photos in the forests, amazing. One of our sons proposed to his wife on the beach at Carmel, and they bought me a Christmas tree decoration while they were there. It sounds like a special place. Take care.

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Hi Sheri, I enjoyed seeing the beautiful family photos of this wonderful trip and scrolled down to see them all. So many sweet memories and what a great idea for your daughter to record them all in a journal, too. Hard to believe your gorgeous girl is 40, but what a fun way to celebrate. The little girls are just so sweet and it must have been so nice to have them there and go on some great adventures together. Can't believe your daughter climbed Mt. Shasta - wow - a real outdoorswoman and now passing it down to the little ones. Looks like they had great weather for the trip, too. I know it must have been hard to say goodbye but they will always remember visiting their sweet Grandma who let them play with her jewelry and baked them pink cookies. Sending hugs xo K

Rajani Rehana said...

Beautiful post

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Good morning Sheri!

She has seen more of California than I ever did, living there for 29 years of my life!

What a beautiful family tour, Sheri. It must have been marvelous to see them again!!!

Nellie said...

What a wonderful trip! I believe there must have been some toasted marshmallows around, as it appears there are the lasting tastes of s’mores! Wishes for a happy 40th to your daughter!

Lisa said...

I loved the pictures. So fun! And your family is beautiful!
Lisa

Olde Dame Holly said...

Nel is so lovely, and cultured, too! I think your whole family seems to be utterly delightful! And brave and adventurous, too! What beautiful places. I have been to that tree, gosh it was almost 40 years ago. I think Carmel is where Clint Eastwood lives? Very spendy area indeed!

Jeanie said...

What a fun and interesting trip -- it looks like the 40th was very good to Nel! I love that she went through two pens writing so much in her journals. I love the new one!

Susan said...

Hi Sheri. I don't know what happened to a note I already sent but I just wanted you to know I LOVED the post and all the great photos. Thank you so much for sharing. You have a beautiful family and I love to see what is happening in their lives and yours. Hugs. Susan

Veronica Lee said...

I enjoyed traveling with you and your gorgeous family.

Looks like everyone had fun!

Happy Wednesday!

Kathy Leonia said...

dear I see that you all had a great time:) so much joy:) follow:) hope U follow back:)

Rajani Rehana said...

Lovely post

My Tata's Cottage said...

Lovely post, with som many choices to see. The camping trip looked like a good time was had by all. Beautiful photos. SO happy I stopped in. Enjoy a wonderful weekend.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I have always enjoyed my visits to California. It is sad to contemplate how much of it is burning up right now.

Mica said...

What a fun trip! looks like you got some lovely photos and it's great you had family time together, even if it wasn't the trip originally planned!

Hope you are having a good weekend :)

Away From The Blue

Kim said...

I can't believe Nel is 40. She looks 23! How is that possible?? Looks like a wonderful trip and a great consolation to not getting to go to Europe. That drive-thru tree, leaning that way! 😬 Happy Sunday, Sheri!