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.

The Silver Moon

By the light of the Silvery Moon. We have always highlighted that the inn can be a great place for sunset. However, we have not focused on the moon as much as we should have. The Fall Harvest Moonrise and moonset can be very wonderful. A full moon reflecting over the water as it sets creates an awe all of its own, be it in the evening or as you watch from bed just before dawn. Perfect for winter romance.

Fall Migration

The fall migration of birds is well underway with thousands of birds of many varieties using our wetlands. One of my favorites are the "peeps". These are the small tiny birds that madly feed on small worms and crusteans of our shore. They always seem to be in large groups and move in unison. Most are least sandpipers and western sandpipers but many others are mixed in. This season is a favorite time to take trips on Elkhorn Slough Safari boat tours, for the birds and for the seals, sea lions, and sea otters.

Captain Pumpkin

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We celebrated the fall season with a pumpkin carving contest for our employees. All jack-o-lanterns had to look like our Captain Yohn. We gave prizes for the "Most Like" the captain, and for the "Funniest" captain. Mostly we giggled alot. Quoted by a guest who viewed them -- "Well,... they all have a likeness to the Captain himself."

Fall Decorations

Pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins. The pumpkins and gourds really add lovely color to our Inn for the Fall. We go to the local GIANT pumpkin farm to get them. The farm is family run, and we will give all October guests coupons and directions for the farm. Our family dog, Tara, is also pictured. Many of our past guests have been asking after her, as she had a surgery tangle with cancerous tumors about this time last year. We are happy to report that with the addition of thyroid tabs, she is just fine and her tumors still have not returned!

Our Crew

After a busy summer, we took our crew out for a thank you for your service luncheon where we announced our "star" employee for 2008, our innkeeper Jessica. They all sure worked hard all year to make our guests have a welcoming and enjoyable time in clean, working rooms.We just love to hear guests tell us good things about staff. They and we strive for quality, we appreciate all they do!

Fall on the Marshlands

Our Fall colors are upon us in Moss Landing. Our Fall colors are no ordinary occurrence like changing leaves, oh no. Instead, our vast Pickleweed marsh goes from deep green to apple red and then yellow and brown. The succulent tidal Pickleweed is quite full of salt by the end of the summer. The salt goes to excess and the chlorophyll can not take it, the chlorophyll is the green and with its loss only red pigments remain. Later in the Fall, the entire succulent flesh will fall off to rid the plant of the extra salt altogether. Rain will bring quick new green growth. All this can be viewed from our waterfront rooms. Fall is also the start of the bird migrations, guests this weekend sighted over 30 species without leaving our yard. The mild sunny days of Fall are some of our favorites.

True Love

One of the joys of our work here, we get to share in the "good times" in peoples lives like anniversaries, vacations to the beach, engagements and the like. Just that happened this weekend. A couple came to stay and they told us a story about our bed and breakfast. They told us they had just gotten married and that this stay was their spontaneous honeymoon! We congradulated them. Then they continued their story, unknown to us, he had proposed to her during their first stay with us. This explained their bubbly, romantic chit chat over breakfast. We hope to see them for their first anniversary.