WALKING MY WAYS
WALKING MY WAYS. In Carmel-by-the-Sea, there is always construction. Sometimes new. Sometimes repair or remodel. And occasionally, on the streets. In fact, if I had a nickel for every orange traffic cone in Carmel, I would be a rich man. I would also be rich, if I owned some of the equipment used. Recently, I watched a giant machine move tons of gravel into “the Pit,” Carmel’s legendary building site. In this case, this machine had the longest truck- enhanced conveyor belt, imaginable. Which hangs in the air, and is called a TELEBELT. And looks like an erector set. But manages to move gravel instantly, with its extended 110 foot arm. (See below.)
And so I thought I would drive out of town, and avoid the hassle. Particularly, if I drove to Sweet Elena’s, in Sand City. But if I thought that Carmel had pot holes, I had another thought coming. Carmel’s are tiny, compared to those in Sand City. Nevertheless, I managed to park, in front of my destination. Which is one of the most comforting breakfast, lunch and bakery combinations on the Peninsula. Stuck between a paint store and auto repair shops, it is an oasis. Where you can sit inside or outside and choose from a variety of sandwiches, quiches, granola, cookies and more. And also have some of their Ginger and Strawberry Lemonade.
And when you walk inside, you can’t help notice the large cotton puffs, hanging from the ceiling. Which really look like white clouds. Camouflaged. Just like the art on the walls. Which are delightful sketches, paintings and photos, for sale. As are the many different edibles. All delicious and all “home made.”
But perhaps the two most endearing aspects of Sweet Elena’s, are its staff and its clients. The staff being cheerful, fast and caring. And the clients a mixture of workmen, gardeners, blue collar, white collar and no collar. All joyful and content. And so I joined the crowd and eventually made it home. Happy. Fed. And fulfilled. Finis.
