From ME to YOU w/LOVE!

Personal Adventures & Experiences from . . . My Travel Journal.

Watching a pair of sea otters surfing the waves then flipping on their backs to enjoy a sea urchin snack is just about the cutest thing ever to witness. And the bonus is the calming healing wave of love and joy that washes over you while you find yourself smiling to your core during this observation; the human benefit. 

Paying attention to Nature's symbiosis in places like Monterey Bay, California can often be the salve needed to heal us and provide the answers to maintain a better balance in life.  When we watch Nature thrive with such ease and elegance, and we look closely, perhaps we find a better way to walk through life ourselves that is so much more beneficial to us and those around us.  A word that continues to come to mind is "Community".  Community heals, community thrives, community strengthens, community sustains.  We build community through symbiosis.

This playful sea otter sighting is yet another affirmation to why I selected the Monterey Bay for my Wellness Rebuild. The healing effect comes from all directions just washing over you like gentle waves.   From Monterey's sparkling ocean, to it's multiple small bay towns and the majestic surrounding mountains, you can find yourself on a unique journey of healing each and every day.  Allow me to take you to my favorites.

 

Let's begin with. . .

To learn more about these adorable furry sea otters, a keystone species, you can take your chances on any of the ocean bluffs with benches to catch them in the wild or you can hedge your bet by visiting The Elkhorn Slough  at moss landing or enjoy a day at the Monterey Bay Aquarium where they focus on rehabilitation of all the species in the bay, especially the sea otters.

• Keystone Species:

  Sea otters are considered a keystone species, meaning they have a disproportionately large impact on their ecosystem. They control populations of sea urchins and other invertebrates that, if unchecked, would overgraze kelp forests. 

  
  

These sea otters are so adorable from their frolicking, to crunching on sea urchins, to linking up for their sleeping rafts!  It's so cute and such a depiction of community love these sleeping rafts.  They lock paws to connect to each other and create a floating sleeping raft thus fostering safety and protection for all as they sleep.  Amazing!

LET'S BEGIN:

MONTEREY | PACIFIC GROVE | CALIFORNIA

WHERE TO LAY MY HEAD? Most Important!

I am still in my longterm rental in the Santa Cruz area and happy as a clam.  However, I have had relatives stay and report back to me a great place in downtown Monterey is Hotel Pacific.  It is centrally located for walking and enjoying the Monterey Bay Acquarium, fine dining and the Monterey Coast Trail. Very reasonably priced as well.

Additionally, another relative who happens to reside in Pacific Grove recommends for their visitors, the Seven Gables Inn  which is located right at Lover's Point where Pacific Grove meets the Monterey Bay views.  Lastly,  I have stayed at the Four Sister's Inn in Sonoma and this boutique hotel collection has two lovely properties in Pacific Grove; the Green Gables Inn and The Gosby House.  You can't go wrong with any of the Four Sisters Boutique Hotel Collection.

Dining:

Pezzini Farms (Castroville)

Pezzini Farms Is just north of Monterey, and offers an artichoke food truck experience with every artichoke food dish you can imagine; from fried artichokes with aoli to artichoke tacos.  The large farm stand features EVERYTHING artichoke.  Globe artichokes are the main attraction in many sizes, the cutest mini versions to jumbos as well as locally made sauces, seasonings and presentation platters,  all to enjoy and display your newly found favorite veggie, the artichoke.  Pezzini’s farm stand profiles many local artist’s wares, take away meals and bakery items for you to enjoy later and remember them by.  Gorgeous and fun!  A must stop on Highway 1 between Santa Cruz and Monterey.

The Red House Cafe (Pacific Grove) 

The Red House Cafe is a local landmark from the turn of the century situated on Lighthouse Ave, adorable right?!  They offer homemade everything right down to the salad dressings!  The seafood and fish are so fresh, caught right out in Monterey's Bay early morning to the tender sweet greens in your salad grown just over the hill in Salinas.  All these delights are elegantly served in a cozy and inviting atmosphere in the different rooms of this idyllic house.  If you come early for dinner or a late lunch you might get in without a Rez but don't bank on it.  Try to make a Rez so you get in and experience the magic.

Hops and Fog Brewery  (Pacific Grove)

One of my total Favs! And it's not for why you think,  I am not a big beer girl but love so many of Hops and Fog's unique offerings, plus they serve local yummy wines as well.  The reason this is one of my Favs is their personal story and the local community they have developed from their creative passion of brewing unique beers, a true example of the "Butterfly Effect", in Butterfly Town, USA.  Side Note: The Monarch Butterfly also likes to hang in Pacific Grove in the Eucalyptus trees at the Monarch Grove Sanctuary in October on their annual winter migration.  Again, a larger theme based on building community, it's HEALING. 

Mike and Ximena are definite "Community Builders!"  They completely rocked it!

Please read their story,  click here, I made it easy for you, it's a must!   Love that this is new for the area, the building was a laundromat for decades and "the new" I am referring to is issuing a liquor and distilling license in Pacific Grove in 2020 to be exact; a challenge in and of itself.  A wonderful business to come out of arguably one of our toughest times on this planet with Covid affecting absolutely everyone in some way or another.   They are embracing local and upscale casual pub food, delicious flatbread pizza, salads (even artichokes) and unique brews galore! People know each other here for sure, the neighborhood pub effect.  So if you are new to town definitely meet some new welcoming friends here.

Pacific Thai Cuisine (Pacific Grove)

"Cooking From the Heart" is their tag line and yes, most definitely authentic delicious thai food served from a gracious warm wonderful family. All the usual dishes cooked to perfection from generational family recipes.  Cozy little atmosphere right on Lighthouse Ave.

 

La Sala's Bi-Rite Market (Monterey) 

La Sala's is the best large "hoagie type" sandwiches you will have in the area.  They are huge and incorporate family recipes and twists to their long list of traditional sandwiches.  The meatball sandwich is Totally a Nona, crazy delish!!!!  Stop here on your way to the Del Monte beach. There is a lovely wooden beach walk trail with benches and incredible views to picnic!

Alta Bakery & Cafe (Monterey)

Cooper-Molera Adobe is located in downtown Monterey, California. This remarkable place represents the layered history of the families who lived in and built Monterey, from its early years as the political and commercial capitol of Mexican Alta, California, through the development of the State of California.

There is so much more history here to explore while eating breakfast or lunch outside in the enclosed patio yard with history circulating around you under garden lights.  Ok, that is just the ambiance the other important note is all the incredibly delicious "from scratch" and locally sourced food, coffee and dessert offerings; different choices most days, depending on what is in season.  I have been here multiple times and will sorely miss this place when I leave.  I love the ambiance, people and visitors enjoying this gifted place as much as the delicious EATS!

 

ACTIVITIES | WELLNESS:

 

Pacific Grove Golf Links

What a wonderful dream this municipal golf course is!  PG golf links is nestled between some true biggies in the golf world and is such a treat to experience.  The Monterey Bay visible off the Egan 9 (front 9) and the Pacific Ocean off the most of the Neville 9 (back 9).  Your game might be off a little due to the distraction of nature's beauties!  Bonus, is the low cost for 9 holes $45 Monday-Thursday, the walkability and the after lounge for music, cocktails and food.  Can't go wrong here.

 

Hiking:

Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail

Asilomar Coastal Trail

Via Paraiso Park Trail

 

Beaches:

Lover's Point (Pacific Grove)

 

Del Monte Beach (Monterey)

 

 

Beauty Duty:

Tina Nails (Pacific Grove)

One of the best mani / pedi's I have ever had.  The massage was heavenly and a generous amount of time. I have terribly short nails and they made my natural buff manicure look fab and totally strengthened my nails.  Must be all this nutrient rich community love I am absorbing.  The other wonderful thing is all of these places I have mentioned are within walking distance of each other and probably your B&B, if you stay here in Pacific Grove.  A bit of simplicity and self care settles and calms for sure!

Shopping:

Carried Away Boutique (Pacific Grove)

Vonne, the lovely owner, is an expert at creating the fashion look for you.  She helped me find my inner "beach girl" with some diamond sparkled capri jeans, a bohemian woven fringe tank with a white lightly gemed jean jacket.  Ok, you got me, I do like a good sparkle for sure!!!  It makes everyone smile and I absolutely love that, tastefully done.  Thank you Vonne! And Jen for sharing your local find.

Variety (Pacific Grove)

This wonderful find for home goods, local artist's pieces and gifts for friends and it's right next door to Carried Away.

Mum's Place (Pacific Grove)

Beautiful furniture and decorative pieces.  Mum's does offer a number of small or mini pieces for the tiny homes in the area.  They nailed it! 

 

Mando Surf Company.

Hot Dog Glassing:  Custom Surf Boards - Mando owner & board shaper

Ateliar Qualia Surf Custom Surf Boards - Fantine Capron board shaper

 

Del Monte Mall (outside mall)

Upscale with everything from William Sonoma to Lululemon.

Wellness Rebuild EMDR Therapy (Monterey)

I saved this section for the end of the blog piece as this is deeply personal for my healing and I am giving space for those that it might be just too much to hear, the time to tune out now.

Finding an Experienced Recommended EMDR Therapist.  Powerful Powerful Stuff! True Life Saver for Me in my Wellness Rebuild Journey:  Processing to Healing!!!

SO, my hope is you read and listen with an open heart for the deeply wounded place I found myself and the bravery it takes to share with you all the resources I am finding and utilizing on my wellness rebuild journey to reclaim, rebuild and ultimately heal and thrive. 

Trauma unfortunately is a part of life and some traumas need some extra help to process and work through so you can go on to live your "One Wild and Precious Life” (Mary Oliver poem) … bringing Love, Peace and Tranquility to Yourself and those under your Shade Tree.

Take a Deep Inhale and Exhale through your mouth...

..Here we go with more details on EMDR and my therapist:

First a note to my therapist:

Jennifer Neilson, thank you my dear gentle guide in healing!  You honored the vulnerability of my "trust" in you and the EMDR process when "trust", especially in my more recent life, was weaponized and used as a tool of control and confusion instead of for building deeper love and connection.  You helped me Restore my ability and confidence to not blindly trust but to mindfully trust moving forward.  So Healing and Empowering!  I thank you from my healing heart. ❤️ 

What is EMDR Therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a structured psychotherapy method designed to help individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences. Developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR has gained recognition as an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related conditions.

Understanding EMDR Therapy

EMDR therapy operates on the principle that traumatic memories can become "stuck" in the brain, leading to distressing symptoms such as anxiety, flashbacks, and intrusive thoughts. The therapy aims to help individuals reprocess these memories in a way that reduces their emotional intensity.

How EMDR Works

During an EMDR session, a therapist guides the patient through a series of standardized procedures that involve bilateral stimulation—typically through side-to-side eye movements, rhythmic tapping, or auditory tones. This process is believed to facilitate communication between different parts of the brain, allowing the individual to integrate and resolve traumatic memories.

Benefits of EMDR Therapy

EMDR therapy has been shown to be effective in treating PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other trauma-related conditions. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR does not require patients to discuss their trauma in detail, making it a potentially less distressing treatment option.

One of the things that happens with a traumatic event(s) is that it lives within you and can come to the surface at any moment in time, usually prompted by what are referred to as "triggers".  This is unsettling, right?!  You and your health professional will know if this therapy is right for you. How I knew, I needed EMDR is I couldn’t completely calm my nervous system down. I would think I was ok and an unexpected sound could startle me to a racing heart, often called fight or flight.  I realized finally this was not only abnormal but so unhealthy for me.  I started researching what soldiers with PTSD did and I came across EMDR. When you are traumatized by something outside of your control and perhaps blindsided, this state of being "fight or flight" can happen and take dominance in your nervous system because the traumatic event was so painful and confusing it jumbles the order of everything. The Sympathetic nervous system (fight,flight or freeze) becomes heightened for survival, which is what it is supposed to do in times of threat.  It is just that this system is so impacted by these extreme traumas it can't seem to autoregulate like before the trauma. The good news is this therapy truly works at re establishing the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest) as the dominant state of being; super healthy!!!  And, I am here to confirm...It WORKS and I Feel SO HEALTHY again!

I happen to be working with Jennifer Neilson in Monterey, California and she is phenomenal.  Your are welcome to get in touch with her and reference me as she is "by referral".  Mention "The Chicks Company or Deb's Travels".

There are more therapists across the United States becoming trained in this specialized and extremely beneficial therapeutic approach to healing.

My EMDR resource is here in Monterey, California.  

Jennifer Neilson, MA, LPCC, NCC

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in Monterey, CA

Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC)

EMDR Certified Therapist

 

A little insight into the my EMDR process:

Jennifer Neilson is calm, welcoming and accomplished.  We had a few talk therapy sessions first for her to get a strong sense of me and my reactions to speaking about my traumatic events.  She was gentle and discretely observant of my reactions during these discovery sessions. This is important data collection so she can be a safe guide through the actual EMDR process. She was in tune to my reactions and how it relates to the trauma we were processing to keep it on the healing path so I never experienced the entire trauma again, instead she and I moved it to a non reactive state.  It was so crazy cool, I felt such peacefulness coming out of these sessions.  Kind of like, "finally the trauma bond was just a balloon and together feeling supported and witnessed for what happened to me, we popped it and peacefulness is what resides now and I actually FEEL IT, PEACEFULNESS!"

You know, we often numb things that hurt; just think of a sprained ankle.   This works to a point, ice numbs the pain of the trauma and begins to bring down the swelling. However, in order to regain functionality and overall wellness of the ankle, you discover where the trauma injury resides and begin to work on calming and strengthening that area so the ankle works in a new state of being. This work is often done with a professional's guidance.  I feel, our emotions are the same.  EMDR therapy was like a physical therapist for my emotions and Jennifer Neilson was my professional guide to regain wholeness, full emotional functionality.  So incredible! Who would've thought our emotional rehab is symbiotic to our physical rehab!

How it's done?  We picked three specific trauma events to work on, one per session.  I held two small devices (like the old hearing aid pieces behind the ears) that pulse in your hands (doesn’t hurt) and these pulsations of intensity and speed are controlled by the therapist with her controller device.  They are dialed up and down and paused based on the path of working through the trauma event.  These pulsations create rapid eye movement with your eyes closed (like REM sleep) which oddly but successfully and without pain processes the memory through to a state of more indifference instead of nervous system alert status.  Jennifer calming spoke to guide me through the entire process.  I felt so safe, calm and supported.

It was through our conversations, Jennifer was able to identify the few traumatic events we could work on and get me to my goal of peace and tranquility and a properly functioning nervous system to handle anything that comes my way. BRAVO!  I am happy to report, it worked!!!  Peace and tranquility abounds and the giggles, laughter, long deep peaceful breaths are a way of life now  My One Wild Precious Life is back on track!  Again, This therapy WORKS. 

I hope this was helpful to you or someone you know and love! 💕  Thank you for your kindness.

Now for the Lighter Side of my Travel... Pictures:

 

 

You don't have to tell me, just embrace and enjoy Your One Wild & Precious Life!

 

My last of the three part series, Carmel will be ready soon!

xo,

Deb