Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/253120
A s I write this note on a late Januar y after noon, we're amidst the strangest weather stretch of my entire 25 years of liv- ing here. For the past couple of months, it's been exceptional- ly beautiful, and on some days, it feels like we are living in Hawaii or Palm Springs. As I look up at the pristine blue sky and feel like it's summer, it's almost eerie. Anybody who knows me understands that I prefer the heat and sun. The hotter the better, for me. If the tempera- tures never dipped below 75 degrees day or night, I would be happy. I am not one of those people who like the fog and I hate rain with a passion. But living in Monterey County, fog and rain are cer tainly a normal par t of the equation. I'll con- tinue to enjoy this bizarre hot spell while it lasts. It's a guilty pleasure. We need the water and I will be happy when rain finally comes. Of course, unless we start getting buckets of rainfall in a hurry, we will likely have some severe water restrictions imposed, but for now it's time to conserve on our own and continue enjoying these spectacular days. My sincere apologies to our friends who are shoveling snow as the eastern half of the country is getting pounded with freezing temperatures. In my opinion, there is no better place to enjoy the out- doors than here on the Monterey Peninsula. There are so many new things to experience in this amazing place we are fortunate to call home. Whether you are a visitor or a local resident, the themes are the same. You have a ton of options, and something to satisfy your every whim. I highly suggest a trip up the Elkhorn Slough in Moss Landing via Whisper Char ters. That two-hour round trip with Captain Brian Ackerman on his 22 ft. electric boat is one of my favorite recent excursions. It's like the Disney Jungle Cruise done right, and is a traveling history lesson while watching an amazing array of birds and wildlife. There are also some outstanding dining establishments, plenty of sightseeing and shopping at an eclectic array of businesses, which makes a trip to Moss Landing a great way to spend the day. (See page 134.) Congratulations are in order. Recently the readers of Condé Nast Traveler voted Carmel one of the top 10 destination cities in the world. (See page 72) Well how could they not? We are so lucky to enjoy world-class dining, golf, wine tasting, art gal- leries, lodging, shopping, scuba diving, hiking, whale watching, surfing, and so much more. Rich in history and culture, this area offers up something for everyone and will remain a favorite destination for many years to come. This goes not just for Carmel, but for the entire area. 2014 is off to a great start. Personally, it is a hell of a lot bet- ter for me, as I did not break my ankle or leg like on last New Year's Eve, which ironically was spent at home being "safe." This year, I began it right with a great meal with my family at the superb new restaurant in Salinas called Patria that offers great food, décor and service. I notice that as we kick off this year, most people's atti- tudes are better and business is improving. Restaurants are busier and more people are out and about in general. This bodes well for all of us and I am looking forward to a great year. Let's hope for some rain, look ahead to a great year and stay healthy! 32 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 PUBLISHER'S NOTE S T E V E S N I D E R We are so lucky to enjoy world-class dining, golf, wine tast- ing, art galleries, lodg- ing, shopping, scuba diving, hiking, whale watching, surfing, and so much more. Guilty Pleasures 032 Pub Note_Carmel Mag 1/27/14 6:55 AM Page 1