Jazz Bash By The Bay

Hello blog readers! I'm hopeful that this is the first of many new blog entries. It is almost Spring after all, and hope springs eternal. Two weekends ago, we escaped to Monterey, CA for our annual jazz festival with Daddy's family. Traditionally we meet in Seaside, OR, but we decided to head further south and hope for better weather than horizontal rain. It was a super decision! First, Hazel geared up for the trip. She had her hood up at the airport, "so she wouldn't be recognized." That's her Diego animal rescue phone, and she let us know that there had been a tsunami in CA and a whale was waiting to be rescued! Al rescate! To the rescue!

 

 

Guess what? It was sunny! The sand in Carmel was soft and warm...

 

Note the buried feet.

 

 

 

 

Hazel would wait for the waves to come up and then run from them, as the water was not as warm as the sand. Eventually, she let the waves get her wetter than planned.

 

Carmel is all about tourism. Hazel was staring into Candy World and saying, "I have to go in there and get something!" So, of course, we did. 

 

Famous lone Cypress tree, on the fabulous 17 mile drive around Pebble Beach. 

 

Oh yes, we were also there for the jazz. Hazel enjoyed the washboard extravaganza and attended six jazz sessions - her best number to date. She was always ready to leave halfway through but was a trooper and enjoyed dancing crazy to the music. Oh, and for the first time, she didn't request ear plugs. She is a seasoned veteran, having been to five jazz festivals. Our favorite group usually sings Happy Birthday to her, and this year was no exception. After the serenade, they asked what her favorite instrument was. After a moment's thought, she said "the drums!" She was rewarded by the drummer running down the aisle and handing her a pair of sticks! Thanks to Danny and the rest of the band for making her trip extra special. She also received some customized jazz beads from a sweet lady.

 

Just lounging with Daddy at the airport, on the way home. She always enjoys spending extra time with him when he's on vacation.

 

For the life of me, I cannot get this photo to turn right side up. So please turn your computer in its side. : )  After our trip, I asked Hazel to draw her favorite moment, and she drew getting the drumsticks. Definitely a memorable trip!