Sunday, July 8, 2012

Ease Your Feet into the Sea

On my second-to-last day on the West Coast, I headed over the mountains along a winding road to visit a friend in Santa Cruz. After some delicious Thai food, we drove up Highway 1 to a secret, glorious beach.

Marisa leading the way.

Mini-cliff a few inches high made of sand.

We spent our time at the beach hunting for the remains of small things, and for secret pools of tiny marine life.

A cluster of purple sea snails.


Glistening sea anemone.

Marisa on the hunt.


Theresa basking in the sun reflected off the water.



Barnacles!

I captured a tiny hermit crab for a moment. He has blue-banded legs and discontented eyes.

The babiest of baby sea snails! Look how big they are compared to grains of sand on the far left.

Lovely Theresa and lovely cliffscapes.

Crab!

The belly of a limpet. Soon enough it was reattached to its rock.

Crab scuttling away from our shifting of its rocks.

Marisa's treasure.

A red dress on a warm, breezy day.

The water looked almost tropical. Thank you for the sunshine, Santa Cruz!

Marisa and Theresa!



Wildflowers on a ledge.

2012 is the year of the Pixie Cut.

How I transported my treasure trove to safety, at the expense of my toes amidst the rocks.


The pathway up to the highway.


Hills and sky.


When leaving the beach, it's polite to check its mail for it.

Afterwards we stopped at Swanton Berry Farm for some provisions.

And oh, what previsions they were. Olaollieberry compote with whipped cream and shortbread, blackberry, olaollieberry, and strawberry truffles, and chocolate covered strawberries. 

It's nearly impossible to choose favorites from such a lot, but this burst of tart, juicy sweetness cloaked in chocolate is hard to ignore.



Bust still, the truffles...


Where to get your spoons and napkins.


Marisa considering a truffle.

Berry weighing station.

A fabulous, tangy bite of the olallieberry shortbread.

Cows adjacent to the berry farm.



And finally, Marisa's glorious neighborhood near downtown. Palmtrees, clear skies, telephone wires, adorable houses. Santa Cruz, I'll be back.

Monday, July 2, 2012

We're All Animals

On my first full day back in California, I went to the San Francisco Zoo with my family. It was awesome...my mom, dad, and brother are all just as excited about looking at animals as I am (that is, very, very excited), so we were happy campers. Also, the San Francisco Zoo is the least depressing, most hospitable zoo I've ever been to...the inhabitants seem genuinely content, and most of them (excepting the polar bear, of course) come from climates that are extremely similar to that of the Bay Area, so they feel right at home.


My little brother (who's just recently surpassed me in height!) and a giraffe (who remains taller than both of us).


Delicious leaves!

I bet you can guess which one is the alpha male.


Chillin'.
Family observing a bird of sorts.

Brother and a monkey.


Our closest relative!


Sleepy koala.





Brother being horrified by the horrid parrots.

Bear! And a stray seagull.

Mid-zoo snack: Vanilla soft serve!


Me retreating slumped in defeat because all the sheep in the petting zoo refused to be petted, and would rather hide under signs.




Lemur sitting like a little long-tailed person.