My favorite pharmacy in the world is right here on Ocean Avenue: Carmel Drug Store
Not only does it sell Marvis, my favorite toothpaste, it stocks all Marvis flavors—in travel sizes!
Jasmin Mint, Ginger Mint, Cinnamon Mint, Amarelly Licorice…
Which means the challenge is on: A toothpaste-tasting contest. (Results in a future post.)
This store also happens to sell the finest variety of accoutrements for training a mustache, which has become vitally important of late.
The other best things about Carmel-by-the-Sea:
Carmel Valley Roasting Company, my 7:03 a.m. perch. (No Starbucks or chains of any sort are allowed in this quaint town.)
Little Swiss Cafe. Simply the best pancakes & chicken-apple sausage, in a cosy ambience.
The Pleasure of Writing
In times gone by, I wouldn’t be without a fine writing instrument and a pad of paper in my pocket. (Alas, things have changed: It is much easier to dictate thoughts into Notes on my iPhone.)
But in those days, my favorite pens & notepads came from…
And then, Carmel’s myriad of art galleries.
My favorite has always been New Masters.
But on this day, two paintings at other galleries stand out: a classical landscape and an abstract…
Carmel has always been a refuge of tranquility for me.
When my nerves got frazzled a decade ago in Silicon Valley after doorstepping the headquarters of Google and Facebook and discovering the truth about anti-social media, Carmel is where I went to recover.
I nicknamed it Dot.Calm. And it remains so.
And when the Thomas Fire raged through Montecito in December 2017, this is where we nested until flames were extinguished and air rendered breathable.
But back to a full day in Carmel.
Two months ago, when all belongings went into storage, I almost discarded a stock of my own books.
Now on the road I have a better idea: Deposit these excess books at Little Free Libraries throughout the land.
At 5:03 it is time to sample some wine.
Earlier in the day I passed a tasting emporium called Albatross Ridge. Never heard of this label but decided to give it a try, low expectations, the best way to go into anything.
What happens?
Albatross Ridge knocks it out of the park.
When I return to the Cypress Inn at 6:03, Lulu is slumbering so deeply, I think she’s transcended to greener pastures. But then suddenly she stirs, startled, like, where am I?
I promise her a feast. And return from Dametra Cafe with lamb shank.
Thereafter, she contentedly falls into a food coma.
And I’m not far behind.