December 23, 1917 Hilda and I took a long walk to Carmel Mission and returned by the beach. December 24, 1917 Hilda and I engaged 2 riding horses at Del Monte Hotel, where we took lunch and looked over the park-like grounds. We rode out at 2pm but Hilda's horse stampeded when frightened by a motor car and threw her off in a grassy ditch, but did not injure her. She remounted as soon as we caught the horse and we then took a ride over the 17 mile drive to Pebble Beach through fine groves of pines and over quiet winding roads. At 5pm we reached Pebble Beach Lodge and took tea before a great fireplace. We returned to Del Monte in the moonlight and then by motor to Carmel where we took dinner with Professor Rentdorf and his wife. December 25, 1917 Christmas Day was spent quietly at Carmel and the Hempels gave presents to each other in the evening and then we played cards.