A visit to Pacific Grove to see Monarch Butterflies in mass took a hard right turn and pivoted in to a day at the Beach. Pacific Grove, California is known for its Monarch Butterflies who stop by every year on their migration. YouTube shows videos of what looks like millions and millions of butterflies hanging off of the trees taking a rest on their journeys. A butterfly sanctuary exists to protect, teach, and enjoy them. I have wanted to stop by for years even researching the appropriate time to stop by. Well, surprise, I finally made it when I was instructed to and we only saw a few butterflies…probably 20 in total.
Well, when life throws you lemons in California, you hit the beach. A two minute drive away was John Denver Beach. Being both a fan of Mr. Denver and any beach anywhere I thought I would go and pay my respects. In 1997 just beyond this beach John Denver crash his ill-fated airplane forever locking this beautiful beach with his amazing life and voice. My son and I watched the waves crash while we collected seashells and watched the birds and the tiny crabs. It was lovely and somehow fitting for Mr. Denver.
I’ll leave you with the lyrics to my favorite John Denver song; Annie’s Song. Rest in Peace Mr. Denver.
You fill up my senses like a night in the forest,
like the mountains in springtime, like a walk in the rain,
like a storm in the desert, like a sleepy blue ocean.
You fill up my senses, come fill me again.
Come let me love you, let me give my life to you,
let me drown in your laughter, let me die in your arms,
let me lay down beside you, let me always be with you.
Come let me love you, come love me again.
Let me always be with you.
Come let me love you,
Come love me again.
You fill up my senses like a night in the forest,
like the mountains in springtime, like a walk in the rain,
like a storm in the desert, like a sleepy blue ocean.
You fill up my senses, come fill me again.
Bulldog Travels / Photos By Jenny 
I love Pacific Grove & your post!
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Thank you! Good to hear from you!
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Beautiful. I saw John Denver at a small concert decades ago. He really was very good.
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I would have loved that! And for it to be small and intimate would be even better. Nice to hear from you!
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:thumbsup:
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I am a fan of Pacific Grove. In fact, it is hard to find anything in the area I am not a fan of. Somehow, I hadn’t realized that was where Denver died in the plane crash. I’ve seen the butterflies in full force. Truly amazing and beautiful. –Curt
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Oh I will be back to see the butterflies again another day. In fact we have another trip planned coming up so I will probably swing by if they aren’t off season. I have seen in the news lately that the Butterfly numbers are disastrously low right now. I do hope they come back.
I always new John Denver died in the area but I always thought it was closer to the Monterey side north of PG. Truth be told I was looking at the map before we left to figure out how close a nice beach was for my son to enjoy and I saw the “John Denver” park and thought well I have to see that! And I am so happy I went. Its a beautiful little beach and it was nice to pay tribute to a musician who means a lot to me.
Stop by on your next trip. You will love it and it will only take moments.
Nice to hear from you.
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I’ll definitely stop by on my next trip to the area! In fact I have one planned from SF south down through Big Sur in September. –Curt
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Perfecto! No lack of things to do and great food to eat in the area.
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John Denver now? Really? Love his work. Even learned to play that particular song in Grad school, when I was messing with a guitar… (Couldn’t play it “no more” I guess) You have good taste my dear. 😉
I didn’t know he had crashed there. I imagined further up North and inland. Must be a nostalgic site to visit. Thanks for sharing. Did you play the song to Little C. ?
(Monarchs are in danger. American friends visiting Mexico asked me whether it was worth it to go, I said no, their habitat has been reduced and the place is very dangerous. The illegal loggers just killed one local activist) Sigh…
Let’s go back to John Denver… (Like a walk in the forest…)
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I used to sing it to him when he was a baby (terrible singer but did so nonetheless). And used to play it a lot for him. Need to do it more often for sure. Great to hear from you friend.
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Those songs they hear when they’re babies are very important. Later on they don’t remember but still, there’s an imprint. (Terrible singer, really?) Looks like Denver is another taste in common.
My apologies for not seeing your blog that often, though I do see all posts, I think. My inbox seems to fill too fast, so I need to clean it up, before getting to the good stuff, like your posts…
A bientôt mon amie.
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Yes terrible singer. Lol. Tragic really but Colin loves it anyway. For now…
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🙂
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I know you always get to my posts. You are my most faithful fan!!
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My pride and privilege… 😉
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