June 27 2013--Santa Cruz and North Lighthouses--Dancing on the Beach

June 27 2013—Thursday---167870 Odometer reading

          After doing three loads of laundry, much needed, we took off to the lighthouses up the northern coast near to Santa Cruz.

          First on the list Ano Nuevo. However, we found out there is no lighthouse at Ano Nuevo. There was a light…a full Fresnel lens…but it was mounted on top of a water tower, and then on top of a scaffolding tower.  When the U.S. Coast Guard decided to decommission it, it was to be placed onto buoys, but alas, suddenly it disappeared. Roy figures it’s in a frat house somewhere in the area.

          There was a lightkeepers house, which is still there but badly in disrepair. Plus it’s out on an island off shore. It used to be connected, but with the years of waves, wind, and wear, it became an island and thus in accessible from land. Today there was fog, so tried my best, but couldn't see anything out there.

          Next was Pigeon Point. This is a full Atlantic-

style lighthouse, one of 3 on the West Coast of the U.S., and we have been here many times before. I took shots from south of the lighthouse on the bluff instead of up close and personal, so the magnificent coast and waves, along with the blooming spring/ summer flowers, can be seen. It's a beautiful edifice, and also a hostel where you can stay, thus having lodging at one of the most picturesque locations for little to nothing. What a treat.

          The surf is high today and the water is a beautiful Caribbean blue. Wild flowers are in bloom, and taking photos is a joy. Only down side today is some pretty gusty winds, that were a little

 
disconcerting while standing on the edge of the bluffs.

          On the way up we passed farm stand and Swanton’s U Pick farms advertising fresh organic strawberries, carrots, cabbages, Olallieberries, blueberries, blackberries, figs and more. It’s making me crazy not to be able to take this abundance home and can/freeze/dehydrate in order to have it in my pantry to enjoy during the cold winter ahead. It also makes me think of my loaded apple and plum trees at home with fruit going to waste. Sigh!

          From Pigeon Point we headed to the Montera Lighthouse. No problems getting up close and

personal here, plus getting great shots of the lighthouse and the surrounding grounds, buildings, and ocean cliffs. Walked right up to it, and held onto the doorknob while Roy took a photo of me next to it. It’s a short lighthouse, but still filled with character. It too is a place where you can stay overnight.

It would be a fabulous get away to come to to read, write, meditate, relax, and just get completely away in a setting that you would pay thousands of dollars for anywhere else in the world. Surrounded by the spray, surf, sites, sound, and smell of the ocean, relaxation certainly wouldn't be difficult, nor would creativity. I think it’s a definite to do in the future for me.

 

          On our way back to Santa Cruz we stopped at Bean Creek Beach as the skies were filled with the para-sails of wind surfers.  It was so pretty and unexpected it put a smile on everyone’s face.

 

          And is there any chance of driving by Pescadero and not stopping for a bowl of the Cream of Artichoke or Cream of Green Chili soup?  Not for us, especially the green chili soup for Roy. Many years ago I was privileged to get the recipe from them, and so I had to taste it again just to make sure mine still tasted the same…will do the taste test when I get home and make it again. A bowl of that creamy delicious soup with the crunchy sour dough bread is the best meal ever. Too bad I had to skip the bread, but still worth it (and I did have a little bit of the crust with some butter on it, just couldn't help myself).

          Back in Santa Cruz, we went down to the harbor early to find a parking spot as tonight is the Crow’s Nest music/dance on the beach. We were meeting Donna Seda and daughter Bella, Mike Morash and Patty Talbot, and Iris and Dave down there for some listening and dancing pleasure. 

 

Oops…Guayo couldn't go in the seating/dancing area, so we sat outside by the restaurant in the shade as much as possible and I went in to dance a little and take photos for a little while why Roy babysat the Guayo.  Then on to home for a big snooze in the Lil Guy Teardrop…it has been a long day.