Recycle, ReUse, Reduce

At the Captain's Inn we keep refining our green choices and actions. We have just signed into a new program with Monterey County Environmental Health Department. We are partnered with the county under a grant from the US Department of the Interior to reduce trash and increase recycling at lodging facilities. We will be getting new containers, staff have undergone recycling training (bilingual program too), and we finished a pre-assessment. Our new goal with this program is to reduce trash by another 30%. We are hoping guests pitch in to help us meet our goals.
Our staff is always working to meet better recycling. Here is an example: Guests do not like "shorties", shorties are our nickname for rolls of toilet paper that are not empty but partial used. So we take them out of rooms expecting new guest, and finish using the shorties in the staff bathroom. Once empty, we save up the rolls for use by the local preschool in arts and crafts.

Rare and Unusual Birds

Birding is always a fun and successful undertaking in Moss Landing, Elkhorn Slough, and at the Captain's Inn. We have a bird checklist for the bed and breakfast with over 190 species!! This last week has been no exception with two strange sightings. The first is a rare bird, generally occurring on the East coast. This Rose-breasted Grosbeak decided to drink from our water trough just long enough for the innkeeper to snap its photo and prove it was here. There is a new stranger sighted by guests outside the boathouse windows - a Swan!! This is most likely an escaped domestic swan, it is a mute swan. There is always wildlife to watch here.

First Anniversary

The month of June is full or honeymooners and anniversary celebrants. Being at a bed and breakfast for the upbeat times in a couple's life is uplifting for us at the Inn. The nice things that spouses do for each other really gives you faith for the future. This sweet pair had their honeymoon at the Captain's Inn exactly a year ago. They returned to celebrate their first anniversary, but in a waterfront room this year.

Artichoke

The Captain's Inn is located in the heart of artichoke country, we have fields within blocks of the inn, and only 2 miles from the "Artichoke Capitol of the World", Castroville, CA. The innkeeper is very proud of this artichoke, grown in the Inn's backyard garden. Guests can pick up a free artichoke dining guide at the Inn. The artichoke guide takes you to local restaurants for delights like french fried artichokes, artichoke soup, fire roasted artichokes, artichoke pizza, stuffed artichokes, and many more recipes. Also, favorite places to get fresh chokes to take home with you.

World's Longest Running Event in Moss Landing

On it's way around the globe through seventy countries and seven continents, the World Harmony Run came to Moss Landing today! It is the longest running event in history with millions of runners carrying the torch for harmony over 25,000 miles. The non-profit run calls attention to wishes for harmony, peace and tolerance throughout the world. To support the run, the Captain's Inn provided the women's team with rooms for the night. The torch was carried right past the front of Captain's Inn and, was even carried by the innkeeper and dog Tara( for short ways). When taking the torch, you get to make a wish; innkeeper wished for a better world for todays' children. The group of international women runners were a joy to host. If you want more information, wish to run with the torch, or to give them support try worldharmonyrun.org.

Harbor Seals of History

The Captain's Inn has quite a historical past; shipping company office, farm family residence, church, student housing, and now a bed and breakfast. A story we had heard several times is that a harbor seal used to live here in the buidling. The story always included that the seal used the staricase to reach the family tub upstairs. Well, we finally have proof that the Captain's Inn was home to a local harbor seal who did indeed enjoy the tub! The York family, who founded the Harbor Chapel in Moss Landing and used our building for a church, recently shared this 1959 photograph from their personal scrapbook. "Scottie" is the mom and pastor's wife. The Harbor Chapel is now just a short distance from here. The harbor seal tub was where our chart room is now. (Sorry, there are no real seals for today's guest tubs).

Green Days by Bike

Many of our guests enjoy a leisure ride on our mountain bikes for rent. This is a green way to explore our village and the surrounding area. This biking couple (celebrating her birthday) visited restaurants, artichoke farms, the beach, saw sea otters, checked out the harbor, purchased fresh strawberries, and tried deep fried artichoke hearts (famous in this region).You can come to stay then walk or bike; avoiding all the traffic, congestion and stress that comes with getting in your car.

Here Comes Spring

Spring is in the air, our native plants are starting to bust out in blooms. This "blue blossom" is from a local genetic variety, also known as Ceonothus, that grows in coastal chapparal. These shrubs are not only beautiful but hardy and drought resistent. Using local flowers attracts local beauties like these painted lady butterflies. Our yard must have had hundreds of them.

Sweethearts

February is the month for lovers and romantics to have getaways with their Valentine. These newlyweds came to stay and attend a formal event. They looked so stunning that I had to take a photo of them in front of our fireplace. On Sunday afternoon, the same couple gave us and our guests a performance of their music. Wonderful love tunes, ballads and instrumental guitar. We can not wait to have events where we invite them to come to play. You can have them at your event or wedding, check them out at www.jeffstrawmetz.com.

Valentines

We have a new bike at the Captain's Inn. This red bike is built for two! To introduce the new bike we are offering all guests who stay during the Valentine's month of February a FREE hour on the bicycle built for two. You'll look sweet upon the seat of a bicycle built for two.

The Food Network

The Food Network was in Moss Landing taping their number one show - Throwdown with Bobby Flay! They were here to challenge Moss Landing's Phil, of Phil's Fish Market because of his fame and expertise with Ciopinno, a most wonderful seafood stew. Your innkeeper Melanie met the Iron Chef and was included in the segment as an extra. Congradulations to Phil!

Mystery Novel based in Moss Landing

Well known mystery writer, Betty Webb, has started her new mystery series and based it on our town of Moss Landing! Betty stayed at the Captain's Inn while she worked on her book and had inspiration from Moss Landing. In her book "Anteater of Death", the heroine Teddy lives aboard a boat in the south harbor of her "Gunn" Landing a fictional town based on our Moss Landing. Many local sights can be found in the story including "Fred's Fish Market", which is actually our Phil's, artichokes, and the harbor master. The author has added a local zoo. Author Betty returned to visit us at the Captain's Inn this weekend. She chatted over wine with guests about her book and signed autographs. You can get your own copy of the book at Amazon.com. This the first in a series, keep your eyes open for the next mystery.

Sea Otter Baby

A new puppy was born at the Elkhorn Slough January 2, 2009!!! This sea otter pup was watched by many of our guests all throughout the weekend. The little one was tiny and mostly a fuzzy ball. It would yelp the minute its mom moved off to find food. Our guests were all trying to out-tell and better-photograph the otter babe. Over breakfast the baby otter was the main topic and many shared their digital photos. Our area is so rich with wildlife but you need to keep heading into it for such wonderful opportunities. Most of the best photographs came from those who watched from the Elkhorn Slough Safari boat.

Tis the Season

During the holiday season we get many families who come to stay with us. Sharing in family reunions and gatherings can be fun for us. Often the family has relatives who live close by. We invite the locals to join us for a breakfast with their guests who are staying at the Inn. The family pictured here came to stay over Thanksgiving, sampled all our local eateries, and played games each evening in our dining room.

Brides

We spent the day assisting a bridal party prepare for their wedding day. The Inn refrigerator was full of bouquets and corsages and champagne. The bride, bridemaids and her family took photos both outside and inside before leaving for the ceremony. With everybody all smiles, it was a joyous morning and afternoon. Following the ceremony, the newly married couple honeymoons at the Captain's Inn.