March 2024: Santa Cruz, Redwoods, & Banana Slugs
After years of contemplating the possibilities, 87+ text messages, and a couple of actual phone calls, my friend Judy and I were off to Santa Cruz. Though Judy has often visited friends and family in Santa Cruz over the years, I had not been there since childhood.
First stop was Corralitos, where we drove about town a bit before stopping at the renowned Corralitos Market & Sausage Co.
I made my mark at the market, literally, when I tripped on the sidewalk and planted my forehead into the wall. Thank goodness Judy exited the store just then, and a gentleman even pulled his truck over to check on me.
Though the market's meats and sausages smelled awesome, the coast and seafood were calling to us, so I bought an ice pack for my head, and, opting not to visit the local wineries, Byrne-Milleron Forest of Coastal Redwoods, or bamboo gardens, we headed to Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz Harbor Walton Lighthouse from Crow's Nest Restaurant.
Then it was a quick check-in at Ocean Pacific Lodge, a very convenient location for walking the town. We dropped our bags and walked down the street to the boardwalk.
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Judy & I enjoyed another delicious lunch, on the patio at Paradise Beach Grille on the Esplanade.
Our last stop was Rio Del Mar, where there used to be a pier and a cement boat, both also victims of the years and finally gone in the last storm season.
Then we were off toward home.
It was a grand adventure with a wonderful friend.
The Big Dipper, Santa Cruz Boardwalk.
Visalia-Santa Cruz: 200 miles, 3.5 hrs. I was happy to enjoy Judy's driving & her Forester.
First stop was Corralitos, where we drove about town a bit before stopping at the renowned Corralitos Market & Sausage Co.
Corralitos town center.
I made my mark at the market, literally, when I tripped on the sidewalk and planted my forehead into the wall. Thank goodness Judy exited the store just then, and a gentleman even pulled his truck over to check on me.
Though the market's meats and sausages smelled awesome, the coast and seafood were calling to us, so I bought an ice pack for my head, and, opting not to visit the local wineries, Byrne-Milleron Forest of Coastal Redwoods, or bamboo gardens, we headed to Santa Cruz.
A perfect, if a bit windy, day for lunch on the Crow's Nest patio in Santa Cruz.
Judy...
...& company, Karl & Milo, who always accompany her on trips to make sure she doesn't go astray.
Then it was a quick check-in at Ocean Pacific Lodge, a very convenient location for walking the town. We dropped our bags and walked down the street to the boardwalk.
The boardwalk hadn't opened for the season, so there were no crowds.
Looking at the carousel through the windows brought back memories....
...the thrill of riding the horses & the disappointment of being too small to grab a brass ring to toss at the clown's mouth.
Stalls & games would soon open for the season.
Judy reminisced about trips to Santa Cruz, riding the Giant Dipper...
...& exploring the Colonnade, a lovely covered arched walkway between the boardwalk & the wharf.
We meandered from the boardwalk to the wharf, where delicious wafting smells convinced us we needed dinner, despite our large, late lunch.
Seals' bedroom in the wharf's pilings.
Looking down the wharf. The end of the pier was closed off due to serious storm damage.
Judy was my personal guide for a walking tour of Santa Cruz the next day, starting at Abbot Square.
Then we had lattes at Santa Cruz Coffee, perused the offerings at longtime Bookshop Santa Cruz, an independent bookseller and staple of downtown Santa Cruz for 50+ years, and wandered past the shops of downtown.
That afternoon we drove out to Wilder Ranch State Park to walk along the ocean cliffs.
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Heading back to the car after walking 3 or so miles, it seemed time to eat again, so we drove back to town and walked to the wharf.
The next morning we headed out of town on Hwy 9.
Our destination was Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park near Felton.
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After the easy warm-up, we drove continued on Highway 9 to the Fall Creek Unit, a much less visited area of the park. The 7-mile-loop trail begins with a fairly steep downhill to Fall Creek.
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One of Judy's goals was to see a banana slug, as she'd never seen one. I got to be her hero for the day when I spotted some.
As the trail climbed, I stopped to rest, while Judy continued on.
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I loved Abbott Square's artistic flare, such as a wall resembling a quilt.
Curved walkways with inlaid hardscape & gardens. A solitary red wall.
Colorful wall amidst the concrete & metal. Could the metal pipes could be sent into song with breath or mallots?
Then we had lattes at Santa Cruz Coffee, perused the offerings at longtime Bookshop Santa Cruz, an independent bookseller and staple of downtown Santa Cruz for 50+ years, and wandered past the shops of downtown.
That afternoon we drove out to Wilder Ranch State Park to walk along the ocean cliffs.
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We packed a lot into 3 days.
Spring's colors.
Content to be on a trip & out in nature.
Foaming sea & stormy sky.
Waves throwing themselves at the cliffs.
How do you say windy?
Wave & sand art.
Gull sheltering from the wind.
Rounding a curve we were surprised to see a stand of white calla lilies snugged along a path.
A hawk surveys his territory.
Seals sunning in an ocean cove.
Heading back to the car after walking 3 or so miles, it seemed time to eat again, so we drove back to town and walked to the wharf.
Seagulls hung around hoping for tidbits...
...or maybe they were cheering on the surfers.
The next morning we headed out of town on Hwy 9.
Big Trees & Pacific Railway trestle.
Our destination was Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park near Felton.
Redwood Grove Loop Trail.
Redwood scarred by fire. Redwoods typically heal from fire.
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Redwoods may grow multiple trunks to compensate for fire damage.
Amazing texture beneath bark. Tiny moss growing on bark.
I walked up a bank to look at the Big Trees & Pacific tracks.
Big Trees & Pacific passenger car.
After the easy warm-up, we drove continued on Highway 9 to the Fall Creek Unit, a much less visited area of the park. The 7-mile-loop trail begins with a fairly steep downhill to Fall Creek.
Water tumbles over numerous small falls in Fall Creek.
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Bridge over Fall Creek.
One of Judy's goals was to see a banana slug, as she'd never seen one. I got to be her hero for the day when I spotted some.
Banana slug, the UC Santa Cruz mascot.
As the trail climbed, I stopped to rest, while Judy continued on.
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Trail on left. A peaceful spot to rest.
More of nature's art: fungi on fallen tree.
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Ferns unwinding as they emerge from the soil.
Pelican fern.
Another waterfall on the creek.
We spotted more banana slugs on our return trip & checked the progress of those we'd seen earlier.
Judy insisted on helping me find the Campfire Girls Camp Wastahi (water-stars-hills😎) my sister and I had gone to. After driving back and forth on a narrow dirt road past the location on the map, finding nary a sign of a camp, we finally stopped to speak with some folks at another camp near the start of the road. It turned out the Campfire Girls had sold the Wastahi site. Volunteers maintain the spirit of the camp by renting the other camp's facilities for one week each summer.
That evening, Judy walked to Lighthouse Point and watched a glorious sunset.
That evening, Judy walked to Lighthouse Point and watched a glorious sunset.
Lighthouse Point.
Surfers headed out for evening waves.
On our way out of town the next day, Judy toured me through another place I'd never been: the UC Santa Cruz campus.
Further south we stopped at Capitola, where we'd both spend time in our younger years.
Even with the changes, Capitola retains its bewitching character.
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I found what seemed to be some of the old beach shacks, now painted in bright colors. My family had spend carefree summer days staying with friends who owned one, going to the beach, playing skeeball, catching crabs (and throwing back all but one leg), taking baths in a metal tub in the tiny courtyard.
The gorgeous UC Santa Cruz setting among redwoods in the hills.
Further south we stopped at Capitola, where we'd both spend time in our younger years.
Capitola wharf & village.
Even with the changes, Capitola retains its bewitching character.
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Old beach shacks, updated.
I recalled taking a paddleboat up the stream with my sister, before its banks were developed.
Colorful Venetian.
Our last stop was Rio Del Mar, where there used to be a pier and a cement boat, both also victims of the years and finally gone in the last storm season.
Then we were off toward home.
San Luis Reservoir on Pacheco Pass fuller from the rains after so many years of drought.
It was a grand adventure with a wonderful friend.
Thank you for the memories. Last time we were there I got a parking ticket on UCSC though my not paying attention. Steve
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading! Not paying attention--how could that be?:-)
DeleteI’ve been visiting Santa Cruz for years as I have a best friend who lives in the Redwood Forest there of which you took wonderful pics across a quaint covered wooden bridge in a lovely cottage. In our younger days we would haunt the clubs and music venues of downtown SC partying with the UCSC students.
ReplyDeleteKathleen
ReplyDeleteSounds like good times all around!
Delete