Last day.....

Started yesterday by being lazy- the best when you're on vacation.  Then we headed to the restaurant at DeLaveaga Golf course for lunch.  Really interesting story behind the golf course...you should read up on it.  After that we headed to the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.  Where I'm staying actually backs up to the state park but we went down the road a bit to one of the regular entrances. It's days like this that I wish I had a better grasp of using my fancy camera in manual setting.  We did the Redwood Grover Loop Trail.  It was STUNNING.  Beyond what any words could describe.  Needless to say I took a ton of pictures but all with my camera, so you'll have to check back in a few days to see those pictures.  The loop is only 1.8 miles but it took us almost 2 hours to do because of stopping to read up at a few points and my endless attempts to capture all the beauty.  I took just under 200 photos so I should have at least a few good ones. Ended my last night with some tasty ice cream from Marianne's. Sooooo good! I had a new flavor- their signature flavor- 10-20:  caramel ice cream, fudge and Oreo cookies.  Need I say more?     As I end this trip I can't help but reflect that one is truly blessed to have friends who are the epitome of "good people" and you need to enjoy all that life has to offer.  Life is good, very good!! 

On the boardwalk.......

Never been to a Boardwalk before and it was pretty cool!  Busy because it was a Sunday and Father's Day but it went on and on and on.  Didn't realize it was so huge!  It had shops, games, rides and food galore.  You could drop some serious change there during the course of the day.  No rides for us but it was a great time!  Afterwards we headed up highway 1 to Davenport to have lunch.  Yummy fish and chips as the ocean sent a gentle breeze our way.  Another great day in Cali!

 

Farmer's Market

Saturday we headed to Cabrillo College to check out their farmers' market (Cathy I used the right punctuation!!) It's one of the biggest in the area and we needed to pick up some things for the pot luck that night.  It's a bit lost on me because of my limited fruit and vegetable likes but my sister (and nephews) would have been in HOG HEAVEN!  Sooooo much fresh food.  The flowers are what captivated me.  GORGEOUS!  I've never seen orchids that big and beautiful.  The rainbow that was created was really delightful.  2 things you won't see at a farmers' market in IL- belly up to the table for some fresh oysters & the kraut table where you could sample a variety before picking which you wanted!  After that, we headed home.  I relaxed on the deck surrounded by redwoods while I finished my 6th book of summer!

 

My view while reading.......

It's a mystery........

Went to the mystery spot in Santa Cruz today. A mystery indeed!  Look it up.  The history is quite facinating....  We started by walking up a steep zig zag sidewalk.  It took way more effort than it should have (said everyone, not just the out of shape chubby girl).  There is something weird, mysterious, mind confusing that is happening in an exact spot.  There was a cabin that had fallen down the hill and stayed in that exact spot (there were no trees around it when it fell).  Something pulled it to that spot and kept it there.  The cabin looks crooked, the guide looked crooked and she did some things to 'prove' it was level even though it looked crooked.  Trying to walk inside the cabin was a trip (flip flops not recommended- learned thru experience).  It was all super cool.  After having our minds blown, we headed towards University of California Santa Cruz.  Took a drive around campus.  GOREGEOUS ocean views from the top.  The campus seems so spread out but is built among the redwoods so it's so neat.  Was going to stop at the book store to pick up some 'Banana Slug' apparel but alas they were closed......seriously that's their mascot :)

 Need to work on my selfies.....Julie and my sister would have told me to redo my smile!  :)

 

 

Living the good life......

Went to spend some time at the beach today.  We headed just a few exits south of Santa Cruz to Capitola. GREAT time.  We were there for a few hours collecting shells, people watching, reading and just enjoying the sun.  Dipped my toes in the water- WAY too cold to swim.  After our time at the beach we headed back to Santa Cruz and went to the wharf.  After lunch we enjoyed a stroll.  Especially enjoyed watching the sea lions.  I could sit and watch them for hours.  They aren't always the nicest but they are funny!

 

 

I'm a Whale Watcher.........I'm a Whale Watcher....

Ahoy matey!  After a busy graduation weekend and a day to recover we were off to see some whales!  Denise came up with the catchy tune "I'm a whale watcher....I'm a whale watcher" (sung to the tune of I'm a wheel watcher from Wheel of fortune). It was stuck in our head all day :)  We headed a little south to Moss Landing (not far from Monterary Bay).  It's from there that we would set sail on our 3 hour tour......(ours ended better than Gilligan's).  From land, it seemed like a beautiful day for a boat ride but apparently the slight breeze we felt was creating monster waves.  The company offered an 'opt out' option for those who didn't think their stomachs could handle it.  We felt confident that the Dramomine would keep our stomachs at bay so we headed off.  All I can say is "Ride 'em cowboy"!  Felt like I was trying to stay upright on a buckin' bronco.  Since there was not enough seating for everyone, I stood at the back and was able to stay upright with my feet firmly planted, my knees bending with the impending waves and a white knuckle grip hold on the railing.  I felt like raising my other hand in the air to show I was riding a bronc, but thought that might attract some attention.  It was really refreshing- wind blowing my hair, the spray.  Of course I could have done without the Rudloph nose I came home with but oh well.  While out, we saw 2 whales.  One we just saw the spray of and a slight glimpse of its head.  The other we got to see it flip it's tail.  Pretty cool stuff but way to fast to catch on film (not that I actually use film....).  As the trip continued I became one of the unfortunates.......tossed my cookies overboard.  Apparently I was 1 of 6 so I was in good company and not just "the girl who got sick". At least I made it to the rail!  We were heading back at that point anyway, so it wasn't long until we were on shore- although it did take me a few to get my land legs back.  Then I was pretty much useless the rest of the day.  I even took a nap (for those of you who know me, you know how shocking that is).  Apparently tossing your cookies is quite exhausting!

With the graduate in gum alley at Cal Poly

 

I think we saw more animals in the harbor than out to sea but such is nature.....

 

These are everywhere....they cost a nice penny at home

 

Busy, beautiful day

Yesterday was such a busy day filled with beauty so there was no time for blogging.  We made our way along Highway 1 from Santa Cruz to Moral Bay.  WOWSA! Around every curve was one breath taking view after another. Quite the winding road (not for the weak stomached).  So lucky we took the longer scenic route on our way to San Luis Obispo! Enjoy the views below......

At Cal Poly

Yum......now I know what all the hype is about...