Bill and I have a collection of children’s shoes that are left at our cottage. 

On this visit, we find that Danica’s shoes are joined by a pair of baby slippers. 

We put them together on the dining room table and encourage them to play. Then off we go for a walk. 

The shoes color.

Then Danica’s shoes share their favorite book. 

When they finish, Winston’s shoes look for something a little less “pink” to do.

They lift weights but soon tire of that and ask Danica’s shoes how to have an adventure. 

Her shoes show them a map. “Go into the garden, follow the path to the gate, and turn right”,they say.

Winston’s shoes are quickly on their way. 

They read a sign that says they are in Carmel-By the Sea and remember Mommy and Daddy talking about it.  They look for the house on the sign.

and knock on the door. It must be a second home. No one is there. 

They look at some flowers ( more pink)

and then follow a tweeting noise to a  small golden bird

who points them down the path.

They slip under the garden gate.

Oh! The feeling of sand beneath their soles feels so good, although they do miss Winston’s warm little toes.

They go uphill until they find a toy store. A bunny family

directs them back to the Thomas The Train table. 

This is more like it! The children at the table are surprised to see a pair of shoes with no owner, but make room for them to play. One little boy reluctantly hands over the train. After a little girl grabs the train back, they decide to move on.

Spotting a dog in a shop window ,they begin to miss their dog at home and decide to get her a gift. 

A salesmen in a necktie is very helpful

By now they are hungry right down to their toes and stop at Andre’s Bouchee for onion soup. Yum.

Feeling more confident about walking ,they try a little skip. The grownups on Ocean Ave. smile at them.

When they do their first hop, two beautiful silver shoes in a store clap for them. Wow!

They shop in a gallery. They have never seen blue dogs before. Carmel is a magical place.

and ride on a red Vespa.

And then ask a grownup in Cole Haan where to go next. 

He shows them a map and points them down hill to the beach.

Everyone is very helpful.

Finally they see THE BEACH!!

But when they go to the top of the beach stairs……

So steep, so many and they have not learned to climb stairs yet!!

So they sit on a bench and decide to wait until Daddy comes out again. He can do stairs easily.

 Climbing a tree they take

One last look and start back.

At a fairytale cottage,

a troll points the way.

A spider is also helpful.

The more they walk, the more tricks they try and are soon balancing on gates.

climbing stone walls, 

 and peeking into front gardens.

Home again, they jump to the top of the gate and ring the bell to let Danica know they are home.

Then drop down to the patio.

and climb the steps. Winston will be so proud of them. Deep in their soles they know he will quickly outgrow them.

Still, they hope he will keep them on a shelf in his room and every once in a while remember the good times they had together.