I want to tell you right up front, I finished the socks. They're not a secret any more, and they have already been worn. If you're only here for the knitting, you will have to scroll down to see them.
That said, the PB experience is awfully nice. Awe-fully. Mr. Celia says that few things in life actually live up to one's expectations. This trip, apparently, lived up to his. I was just along for the ride, and a very lovely ride it was.
Right after we checked in, we went over to the PB market, which is half wine, to pick up some refreshments. Want to guess what we came back with? New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, it's one of our favorite cheap inexpensive wines. But just after we got back, the management sent over a bottle of champagne sparkling wine, with a note saying, "Happy Birthday! Welcome to Pebble Beach." Tasteful, thoughtful...no wonder this place is so popular. We decided to save the NZSB for another time and cracked open the bubbly.
We took a short walk on the course before dinner. Play was winding up and the deer were coming out.
Mr. Celia was very happy to be there.
The next day, the day Mr. Celia played the course, was stunning.
Unbelievably stunning.
I woke up early and had breakfast with Mr. Celia and his pal. Sometimes room service is totally worth it. Then they took off for the driving range and I crapped out. Well, actually I kitchenered the toes on the secret socks (That's a verb, right? Kitchenered?) and then I crapped out for a couple of hours. I was supposed to meet the other wife for lunch in Carmel, but HAH! Where were the car keys? I looked everywhere in the hotel room - went through all of Mr. Celia's things. Where were they? He.Forgot.To.Leave.The.Car.Keys. I tried to call on his cell phone but he did not answer. He was very busy having the ultimate golf experience. But I wasn't walking all the way to Carmel.
By lunch time, I figured the guys would be fairly near the end of the course. I started at the 18th green and walked the course backwards until I found them at the 16th green, just in time to watch Mr. Celia putt.
I met the Other Wife in Carmel, but we just chatted for a while and soon the guys called to let us know they were finished, so we headed back to PB to meet them. This is how we found them.
Mr. Celia all showered and changed, sipping that NZSB from the day before.
A closer look reveals that he's wearing the secret socks, which can now be known as the PB socks. Socks That Rock in the Pebble Beach colorway. Mr. Celia's pal and his wife were duly impressed. Did you want a closer look?
Now, take a look at the water in PB cove.
Spot on, I say!
This is what happens after one gets up before the crack of dawn, plays a round of very important golf, has a glass of wine, forages for picnic food, and takes the wives on a guided tour of the golf course at PB.
The next day, Mr. Celia's real birthday, we walked out by the water again. It is very, very green at the 18th green at PB. The tree in the background is the replacement tree. Yes, they moved that Monterey cypress there in 2002 to replace the iconic Monterey pine that had died. Moved that tree all the way from the 2nd fairway. It is a BIG mature tree, but nothing, not a thing, is impossible in the enchanted land of PB.
After a final walk along the spectacular PB shoreline(can you spot the kayakers in the kelp bed?), we decided it was time to head back into the real world. It was worth it. A birthday Mr. Celia will remember for a long, long time.
And, just in case you were wondering, there are actual pebbles on the beach.
