#SoulofCA

"The mustard stood seven feet high in the spring, and red-winged black birds built their nests under the yellow flowers." — John Steinbeck, The Wayward Bus #soulofca #mondayinspiration #johnsteinbeck

"If you want to go fast go alone. If you want to go far, go together." — African Proverb #mondayinspiration #soulofca #birdsonabeach

"It's not what you look at that matters. It's what you see." — Henry David Thoreau #mondayinspiration #soulofca #eyesopen #capitolawharf

It’s lupine time! #soulofca #trailtherapy #naturetherapy #springisintheair

#tbt Castroville is the oldest remaining town in the Salinas Valley, laid out by namesake Juan B. Castro in 1863 on part of the Bolsa Nueva y Moro Cojo rancho. Town leaders had hopes of Castroville becoming the county seat, but that designation went to Salinas in 1872. #soulofca #castroville #historyiscool

#tbt In 1937, the California Legislature designated the redwood as the State Tree. #soulofca #bigtrees #californiaredwoods

"As yet, the wind is an untamed, and unharnessed force; and quite possibly one of the greatest discoveries hereafter to be made, will be the taming and harnessing of it." — Abraham Lincoln #mondayinspiration #soulofca #windturbines #sustainabledesign

Family time. #soulofca #kickingaball #getoutside #countyparksareopen

#tbt Decades go by, but the beauty of Monterey Bay is a constant. #getoutside #soulofca #montereyviews #naturetherapy

#tbt The precursor to Google Maps ... and it's about the same size as a cell phone! #soulofca #vintagepostcard #sanjuanbautista #roadtrip #americasdiners

#tbt The first school in Soledad opened in 1875. It was where local children learned their 3 R's until 1908 when the Main Street school was built, which, today, looks nothing like this vintage photo! #soulofca #schooldays #soledad

Final blending before install!!! We can’t wait. Unveiling coming soon @soulofca #sign #signage #signs #customsigns #signsbyvan #signmaker #signofthetimes #signboard #signme #signmeup #signpost ##customdesign #customsignage #salinasvalley #montereyca #salinasca #montereycounty #santacruz #soulofca

"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." — Rumi #mondayinspiration #soulofca #furrows #agriculturephotos

Fabulous day at the coast painting with Cathy Boyer, brisk and windy and the ocean was so alive! Was even blessed with a giant full moon for the drive home...

#78 MVP of today’s super hike on Super Bowl Sunday. #soulofca #pinnaclesnationalpark #condorspotting

Daffys View: hwy 101 going south to King City #southcounty #montereycounty #landscaping #horizon #skyshots #clouds #cloudwatching #godisgood #calilife #soulofca

Daffys View: Backyard Sunset #sunset #cloudscape #clouds #hollywood #sunsetmagazine #horizon #landscapephotography #landscape #backyardphotography #montereycounty #gonzalesca #calilife #soulofca #godisgood

"A sense of curiosity is nature's original school of education." — Smiley Blantonn #mondayinspiration #soulofca #whatisit #beachcombing

Daffys View: Backyard Sunset #calilife #westcoast #montereycounty #nyc #cloudscape #horizon #soulofca

Daffys View: Backyard Sunset #gonzalesca #montereybay #westcoast #calilife #aroundsalinas #soulofca #skyshotz #sunsetlover #hollywood #sun_beach_sb #cloudscape #horizon #landscaping #earthpics #godisgood

A lovely start to the weekend. #soulofca #salinascitycenter #outandabout #breakfastout

#tbt Facing a shortage of natural rubber during World War II, Congress passed legislation to commit funds to producing guayule rubber. Guayule, which contains latex, was planted in-and-around Gonzales. In 1943, 880,000 pounds of rubber were processed. The guayule project was phased out as the War came to a close, and synthetic rubber became more viable. #soulofca #guayule #rubberplant #worldwar2

"I would love to live like a river flows, carried by the surprise of its own unfolding." — John O'Donohue #mondayinspiration #soulofca #bendintheriver #whatsonthehorizon

#tbt Kicking off the new year and decade with a look back at when Spreckels had the largest sugar beet factory in the world! No more sugar beets, but the Salinas Valley still dominates when it comes to growing produce. #soulofca #salinasvalleyagriculture #sugarbeets

"Order is one of the needs of life which, when it is satisfied, produces a real happiness." — Maria Montessori #mondayinspiration #soulofca #fishermanswharf #endofyear

I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe." — Dalai Lama #mondayinspiration #soulofca #chalonepeaks #kickofftheweek

#tbt Pt. Pinos Lighthouse, built in 1855, is the oldest existing lighthouse on the West Coast. It continues to be an active aid to navigation, and in stormy weather, it is a welcoming beacon to all travelers. #soulofca #lighthousesofinstagram #beaconoflight

Daffys View: winter is coming.#calilife #aroundsalinas #soulofca #montereycounty #gonzalesca #godisgood

“Always keep your eyes open. Keep watching. Because whatever you see can inspire you.” — Grace Coddington #soulofca #mondayinspiration #randomsites #billboardcouple #stopandtakeapicture

Mid-week moment. #humpday #ontotheweekend #breatheinbreatheout #soulofca

#tbt The first Southern Pacific passenger train rolled into Salinas on November 7, 1872 — the end of the line at the time! #soulofca #traintravel

“In three words, I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.” — Robert Frost #mondayinspiration #soulofca #goodmondaymorning

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Engulfed by nothing /
Optimistic Solitude /
Alone in my thoughts /
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#pjhaiku / my haiku collection
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#santacruz #sunrise #surf #california #surfer #sunrisesunset #surfing #visitsantacruz #soulofca #haiku #badpoetry #17syllables #solitude #californiacaptures #shotoniphone

Been a minute, nice to be back in Santa Cruz for a couple of days. .
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#scz #santacruz #california #westcoast #santacruzlife #pleasurepoint #visitsantacruz #californiacaptures #thehook #eastcliff #visitcalifornia #wildbayarea #soulofca # #traveltheworld #favoriteplaces #sunrise #earlybird #earlyshift #sunrisesunset #workhardplayhard #treetourist #fortheloveofbranches #shotoniphone

Daffys View: Love trains all my life! #amtraktrain #lovetrains #feellikeakidagain #calilife #westcoast #labound #hollywood #santamonica #montereycounty #soulofca #aroundsalinas #salinascalifornian #godisgood

#tbt In the early days of Salinas Valley agriculture, hay, barley and alfalfa were the top crops. #soulofca #agriculturelife #californiapioneers

Daffys View: Daffys Garden Spring #springblooms #flowers #hollywood #calilifestyle #westcoast #montereycounty #calilife #soulofca #beautyinfluencer #godisgood

#earthday Celebrate the beauty of the Central Coast. #soulofca

"It's your road and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you." — Rumi #mondayinspiration #soulofca #rumi

A constant ... the enduring beauty of the Salinas Valley. #soulofca #vicariouslyoutside #cloudyskies

#tbt Community Church of Gonzales — dedicated in 1884 as a Baptist Church, it represents classic Gothic Revival features ... pointed windows, steeply pitched roofs and ornamental details. It is typical of the religious architecture of small towns of late 19th century California. As one of the County's oldest functioning churches, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. #soulofca #gonzalesca #gothicrevival

View accessible. #takeawalk #soulofca #naturetherapy #getoutside

"Take care of each other." — Robert Louis Stevenson #mondayinspiration #soulofca #fieldofpoppies #kindnessmatters #natureisbeautiful

Daffys View: Backyard Hawk Sighting #hawk #stormy #clouds #westcoast #calilife #aroundsalinas #soulofca #montereycounty #godisgood

"You are an ocean of knowledge hidden in a dew drop." — Rumi #mondayinspiration #soulofca #dropofwater #naturephotography

"Those who tell the stories rule the world." — Hopi Proverb •
•
There's a story in these clouds. What do you see?!
#mondayinspiration #soulofca #cloudyshapes #whatdoyousee #beachvibes

#tbt Watsonville City Plaza and Bandstand — The bandstand, designed by William H. Weeks, architect of many structures throughout the area, was constructed in 1906. The Plaza has been a town gathering place since the 1860s. The turn-of-the-century appearance of the Plaza is much as it was when first built, making it “one of the few remaining town squares in California which retains its historic appearance.” #soulofca #watsonville #williamweeks #visitcalifornia

#tbt San Lucas Bridge, built in 1915, is a six-span, 870' long single lane, truss bridge 40 miles south of Chualar. When rancher Alberto Trescony deeded a right-of-way across his San Lucas Rancho to Southern Pacific Railroad in 1886 it put San Lucas on the map. At one point he had the largest grain warehouse south of Salinas and the family still possesses the oldest registered cattle brand in the State. #soulofca #salinasvalleyhistory #sanlucas #trescony

#tbt 17-mile Drive Cottage Court — was on the famous “Circle of Enchantment” near the beach at Pacific Grove. It was considered a romantic setting, surrounded by historic spots dating back to the founding of California. There were 67 cottages sheltered by virgin pines with modern accommodations for parties ranging from 1 to 10 persons. It was billed as, "A quiet, comfortable, economical vacation spot or over-night stopping place. Mild in winter, cool in summer." #soulofca #cottagecamping #pacificgrove #visitcalifornia

Daffys View: Backyard Sunset #backyardhorizon #landscapephotography #landscape #cloudscape #cloudshapespotting #sunsetphotography #sunsetmagazine #aroundsalinas #soulofca #montereycounty #calilifestyle #westcoast #godisgood

Daffys View: Backyard Sunset #gonzalesca #westcoast #calilife #montereycounty #aroundsalinas #soulofca #sunsetphotography #skyshots #montereybay #horizonview #cloudscape #earthpics #godisgood

Whatever you’re doing ... wherever you are ... make it a Sunday funday! #soulofca #getoutside #takeawalk #celebrateyourself

Daffys View: Backyard Sunset #backyard #sunset #sunsetphotography #sunsetshots #sun_beach_sb #horizon #dreaming #earthpics #clouds #cloudscape #hollywood #westcoast #calilife #montereycounty #aroundsalinas #soulofca #831 #godisgood #nature_skyshotz

"Cherish the natural world, because you're a part of it and you depend on it." — Sir David Attenborough #mondayinspiration #soulofca #naturalbridgestatepark #santacruz

Daffys View: Backyard Sunset #backyard #sunset #sunsetphotography #sunsetmagazine #cloudscape #skyshots #skypics #hollywood #montereybay #min##montereycounty #aroundsalinas #soulofca #salinascalifornia #oldtownsalinas #montereyweekly #heavenly #vision #horizon #godisgood

Daffys View: Sunset day #sunsetphotography #sunsetmag #santabarbara #santanarow #sanfrancisco #sanjose #horizon #landscape #landscapephotography #cloudscape #skyshot #montereycounty #calilife #aroundsalinas #soulofca #skypics #natgeo #godisgood

Mission San Jose, Fremont CA. What a beautiful mission and graveyard, tombstones dated around 1860.

Let's make this year the best one yet! #Comfortinn #monterey #california #visitcalifornia #montereybay #seemonterey
#Repost @soulofca with @get_repost
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#soulofca #hindsightis2020 #letsgetgoing #woohoo

"In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.:" — Albert Camus #mondayinspiration #soulofca #catchawave #161daystosummer

“All the trees are losing their leaves and not one of them is worried.” — Donald Miller #soulofca #mondayinspiration #winteriscoming #donaldmillerquote

Daffys View: Break in Rain. #stormysky #bluesky #cloudscape #horizon #sunsetmagazine #calilife #montereycounty #aroundsalinas #soulofca #gonzalesca #hollywooddreams #laview #montereyweekly #godisgood

Daffys View: A Little Snow. #gonzalesca #montereycounty #callife #southcounty #aroundsalinas #soulofca #winterlike

Pacific Grove

“Give every day the chance to become the most beautiful day of your life.” — Mark Twain #mondayinspiration #soulofca #sunriseoftheday #morninglight

"Open your eyes to the beauty around you. Open your mind to the wonders of life. Open your heart to those who love you. And always be true to yourself." — Maya Angelou #mondayinspiration #soulofca #standoutfromthecrowd #believeinyourself

Pacific Grove, CA

#tbt Now and then ... it doesn't get much better than a California beach day. Highs today in the 80s ... grab your flip flops and go! #soulofca #californiasunshine #beachday

#tbt Pacific Grove, from its earliest days, was considered the Best Seaside Sanctuary and a Dreamy California Destination. Not much has changed. #soulofca #pacificgrove #vintagephoto

Daffys View: Daffys Garden Blooms #sunlightflower #sunsetphotography #flowerstagram #westcoast #landscapephotography #calilife #montereycounty #soulofca #aroundsalinas #gonzales #gardening #springblooms #godisgood #actors #actorslife

Daffys View: Daffys Garden Carnations #spring2020 #montereycounty #calilife #soulofca #aroundsalinas #hollywood #godisgood

"The horizon leans forward, offering you space to place new steps of change." — Maya Angelou #mondayinspiration #soulofca #mayaangelou #womanphotograph #hikingadventures

Easter Sunday. #rejoice #soulofca #happyeaster #easterflowers #virtuallyoutside

Beaches are still open. Fish are still biting! #soulofca #getoutside #closetohome #outsideisfree

Daffys View: Daffys Garden #blooms #gardening #springblooms #flowers #plants #hollywood #westcoast #calilife #montereycounty #soulofca #godisgood

Daffys View: Clouds of Monterey County! #montereycounty #aroundsalinas #soulofca #sunshine #cloudwatching #cloudscape #skyphotography #skyscape #horizon #earthpix #godisgood

Daffys View: Backyard Sunset. Storm a Coming!#still winter #sunsetphotography #hollywoodwinnerscircle #hollywood #happeningindtla #montereycounty #calilife #gonzales #soulofca #godisgood #cloudscape #horizon

"Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success." — Henry Ford #mondayinspiration #soulofca #goatsonahill #salinasphotography #communitiesmakethedifference

#tbt Happy Birthday John Steinbeck! #steinbeckcountry #soulofca #nobelprize #pulitzerprize #eastofeden

#tbt The historical flavor of this town is as evident in this century as it was in the last! And it’s still a great place to stay. #soulofca #kingcity #elcaminoreal

"Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat." — Laura Ingalls Wilder #mondayinspiration #soulofca #barnfever #visitcalifornia

"All our dreams can come true — if we have the courage to pursue them." — Walt Disney #mondayinspiration #soulofca #waltdisney #dreambig

"Do not look to the ground for your next step; greatness lies with those who look to the horizon." — Norwegian Proverb #mondayinspiration #soulofca #horizons #fremontpeak #inthedistance

#tbt Downtown Gonzales ... notice the Rexall Drug store sign ... a mainstay of local downtowns in the 1950s. At one time there were 12,000 stores across the country selling, among other things, Rexall remedies. #soulofca #rexalldrugstore #historicdowntowns

Daffys View: Backyard Sunset #winterclouds #cloudscapes #landscapephotography #landscape #horizon #skyshotz #sky#cloudcover #aroundsalinas #soulofca #westcoast #calilife #sf #nycity #montereycounty #santabarbara #sanjose #godisgood

Daffys View: Backyard Morning #snowcoveredmountains #stillwinter #winterwonderland #westcoast #gonzalesca #montereycounty #santaluciapreserve #calilife #landscapephotography #landscape #backyardviews #aroundsalinas #soulofca #kion546 #ksbw8 #godisgood

Daffys View: Backyard Sunset #gonzalesball #gonzalesca #westcoast #calilife #montereycounty #montereybay #santaluciamountains #aroundsalinas #soulofca #sunsetphotography #hollywood #santabarbaramagazine #cloudscapes #sunsetcloudscape #landscaping #skyshots #earthpics #natgeo #sun_beach_sb #godisgood

Daffys View: Backyard Sites #backyard #cloudscape #skyshots #montereycounty #aroundsalinas #soulofca #calilife #hollywood #sunsetmag #horizon #godisgood

Daffys View:Backyard Sunset #sunsetphotography #montereybay #montereycounty #calilife #aroundsalinas #soulofca #cloudscape #skyshots #bestskypics #landscaping #godisgood

Daffys View: cloud Sightings. #cloudscape #clouds #rainclouds #horizon #skyshotz #cloudpics #landscapephotography #sunsetphotography#sunsetmag #aroundsalinas #montereycounty #calilife #soulofca #godisgood

Daffys View: cloud Shapes, 747 Coming In!#cloudshapes #landscaping #horizon #travelphotography #aroundsalinas #soulofca #callife #montereycounty #kion46 #ksbw8 #photooftheday #pics #clouds #godisgood

#soulofca #hindsightis2020 #letsgetgoing #woohoo

#tbt The Mission Farm RV Campground now calls itself an RV Park, but it still has the same cool, restful feeling of outdoor living that it promoted in its earliest days. #soulofca #sanjuanbautista #rvlife #campgrounds

Hazy day of bird watching ... who is watching who?? #soulofca #atthebeach #pelicansonparade #jettytime

"When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves." — William A. Ward #mondayinspiration #soulofca #lighthousesofinstagram #bethelight

#tbt The view down Broadway in King City, CA of the Gabilan Mountains looks much like it did in the 20th century ... except for the storefronts, cars and street signs! #soulofca #kingcity

#tbt An aerial photo of Hollister, circa 1939 ... before drones! #soulofca

"One flag, one land, one heart, one hand, one nation evermore!" — Oliver Wendall Holmes
Honoring all who served on this Veterans Day. #mondayinspiration #soulofca #thankyoutoallwhoserved

#tbt In celebration of All Hallow's Eve, aka Halloween:
The Mystic Maze at Monterey's Hotel Del Monte was designed and created in 1885. At the eastern edge of the South Gardens, the maze had four corner outlets in addition to the main entrance. It was a half-mile walk from the entrance to the center, not counting wrong turns. Hotel staff provided colored bits of paper for guests to strew in their in their wake but they still got lost. Supposedly a wooden viewing platform was built at the center when the maze was first planted. From Images of America Monterey’s Hotel Del Monte.
#soulofca #besafeoutthere #happyhalloween #candyismagic

Doesn’t she know that’s my spot? just rude.
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#thenerve #myspot #scz #santacruz #westcliff #tree #treetourist #ocean #california #wildbayarea #soulofca #exploremore #travel #treebrilliance #favoritethings #favoriteplaces #californiacaptures #beach #visitsantacruz #santacruzlife #tree_captures #fortheloveofbranches #shotoniphone

No clouds, no drama, just a giant fireball dropping below the horizon on the far side of the ocean.
#scz #santacruz #moranlakebeach #california #visitcalifornia #californiacaptures #sunset #sunsetlovers #westcoast #beach #pacificocean #soulofca #sailing #sailboats #longexposure #shotoniphone