Santa Cruz Trip April '09

This is what our ride over the Sierra's consited of. I was thinking I was seriously crazy to be doing this trip with the kids. Once we got low enough in elevation the snow stopped and the rain started. It rained just about the entire way. It was coming down so hard in San Jose, my windshield wipers didn't go fast enough. We were on the freeway and everyone was crawling along at about 30 mph. However, as we dropped out of the Santa Cruz Mountains into Scotts Valley, it was sunny and fairly warm, for the coast. The rest of the week started out foggy each morning, but it burned off, and we had great weather.

First night: Dinner at my dad's.




We spent Tuesday at the Boardwalk. Since Washoe County had a stupid time off for spring break, only 9 rides were open on the walk. We rode the roller coasters-both of them- the bumper cars and the carosel numerous times. Then we walked out on the wharf and looked in the shops and saw the sea lions sleeping. I just love the Boardwalk, and my kids do to, now. They could live there, and I guess I could too.
















Wednesday we spent the afternoon at Sea Cliff. Sally packed a picnic lunch and we walked down the wharf to see the Cement Ship. Dad walked up and down the beach looking for sea glass and the two little kids played in the surf. Found some really pretty shells, and walked through the visitors center to learn more about the cement ship, too.





Thursday we went up the coast to Pigeon Point to see if there were anymore sea elephants on the rocks; there weren't but we had a good time going down the long stairs to the small beach and looked for shells and sea glass. We got to see the old light house, the blow hole, ran from the waves, and on the drive up and backwe saw some beautiful ocean, coast, and some cute surfer boys.





After the drive up the coast, we came back to my dad's, put our swim suits on and went to Capitola beach and found two star fish, several shells, and played in the sun and surf. Capitola is the town my dad grew up in. Not too far from where the house he grew up in (destroyed by the 89 quake, and now 4 houses stand in its place) a man collects drift woods and shells and makes these way cool birds:






My dream house in Capitola. The pink one on the left. They are condos I guess, built in the 20's. Have stood the test of time and the battle with the ocean surf. Sally's friend lives there and says the inside is just as cool as the outside. Maybe someday.

Left for home on Friday. Stopped in Roseville to see my sister and neice. Had a great trip. Sad my Dad moved so far away, but glad he moved to such a great place on this vast earth.