Haunted Pool, Monterey, CA 2008

This swimming pool dates to the days of the Old Del Monte Hotel in Monterey, California. This is where the Hollywood starlets used to lounge under the sun. Today, this real-estate is owned and operated by the US Navy. It is home to the Naval Post Graduate School. The old Hotel serves as barracks and classrooms for the school, its ballroom is still used for swanky military events.

Because the costs of maintaining this antique swimming pool is so high, the Navy filled it with sand and turned it into a volley ball court. Yet, as I stood in this place, I could sense the ghosts of the past, the lovely ladies and handsome men walking down the lawn from the old Hotel toward the pool, where they were sheltered by large hedge rows from prying eyes.

The Chief of Staff happened by as I was taking the photo. He told me that one day, maybe the pool will be refilled with water. If the private foundation can raise the money, they will cover the costs of the pool.