Sand Dunes

Lake Michigan, the only all American lake (the other Great Lakes border Canada as well), sits on the West side of the state. When visiting the grandparents, we are a mere 45 minute drive away from this gigantic lake, that to anyone eyes', looks no different than an ocean.

This visit, we went to a different beachfront than usual. We wanted the kids to see the sand dunes that make a great runway into the lake.

Because we had not been there before, we didn't quite know which path to take to get to the lake...but we were up for an adventure.

The day was warm, and humid. The path was pleasant at first, but the deeper we got into the woods, the more flying creatures appeared. Mosquitoes. Everywhere.

We realized that if we stopped at all, we would be eaten alive by these large blood-sucking pests. So we did our best to keep charging ahead, not knowing how far we were from the shore.

It felt like a long time of walking fast, focusing on the end. Californians are not used to mosquitoes due to frequent droughts and low humidity (how did I make it in Thailand?). I was not going to lose the battle, however. Not even with all the questions coming from the five-year-olds like: "How can they eat us alive?" or "Where did the mosquitoes come from?" or "Can we stop to look at that wetland?"

A mile or so later, we reached our destination at last. Soft sand, calm waters, not another soul in sight (because, ummm, we chose the longest path to get there). And we had left behind the mosquitoes in the woods.

We surely went back a different route, much shorter, more direct, and for some reason, much fewer of the dreaded insects!

Vacation part I

Lassen National Park, California

Gathering for campfire

Butte Lake, Lassen National Park

Grand Haven Light House, Michigan

On the shores of Lake Michigan

We have been to so many places in the last couple of weeks, I can't possibly write about it all in one posting!

And as you know, sometimes, pictures can tell a thousand words.

So I will let that happen here for now, and will be back with some stories to share.

Summer!

See the dolphin in the water?

Summer is in full swing here.  It does not get hot too often in Santa Cruz, especially in the summer time.  So when it does, we feel extra summery around here.  Lots of beach, pool, more beach, and more pool.  Picnics with friends, post-dinner walks and blackberry-picking.  These are just some of the things we are enjoying right now!  How very lucky we are...

More Art

Frog, by Momo

Vase of flowers, by Claire

Scorpions in the desert, by Momo

Who needs some expensive art work, when our own 5 year old artists-in-residence can produce such pieces?

The only question is, what happens when we run out of wall spaces for the exhibit?

Home

Sometimes Claire will say that she is a 'home body'.  Like today. It was beautiful out with no fog in sight. They had just spent a few hours at 'camp' in the morning (which gave me some time to straighten up the house, and make a few things for it), and when they got home, they just wanted to stay home.

I am glad they like their home, because I do, too.

4th of July in Wine country

Streams of cars were heading into town for the long holiday weekend, as we were heading out on Friday. That was a good feeling...

We spent the weekend with family in Sonoma.  Great parade, great fun, and very relaxing to add.

On the way home, we drove down the coastal route to avoid some traffic, stopped at a beach, before saying 'home sweet home'!  That's the way a holiday weekend should be!

Santa Cruz Mission State Park Fun!

Some of you may not have heard that the governor of California is wanting to close some 200 California State Parks, because of the state's budget deficit.  That would be most of our 'playgrounds', many of our favorite places in the area.

And the worst of it is that he means it.

Last night, we attended a free event at one of such state parks, just down the road from us.  It was called "Old Fashioned Campfire", at the Santa Cruz Mission State Park.  Offered there were make-your-own tortillas, the old fashioned way, on an outdoor griddle.  People were free to bring food, extra toppings for the tortillas, their families and friends. 

There were also music, sing-alongs, and skits so funny I cried laughing.

There is no better way to enjoy a summer evening in Santa Cruz.  There is no way the state can close these treasures! 

Many groups and petitions are being gathered to prevent this proposal from happening.  And we are strongly behind them!

Here we go...just the beginning!

No need to narrate. He is quite comfortable in his own skin!

Ollaliberries

We were just going to go pick strawberries at Swanton Strawberry Farm, with our friend Sophia on her last day in California. But when we got there, the worker there said that there was no U-Pick there today, but 9 miles up the road, we could pick strawberries and ollaliberries if we wanted.  

After a couple of strawberry truffles and chocolate dips, away we went!

Ollaliberries are related to Blackberries. Don't ask me the difference, I can't really tell you yet. All I know is that I had never heard of them until we came out West. And somehow, they seem more prized than their regular cousins... Regardless, we all love them.  Fresh, jammed, in a pie. You name it. 

We picked our share, and even went over to the strawberry fields to pick some of those as well. And we ended the day with a scrumptious pie, that is big enough to another day's end treat!

Chadwick Garden

We took my mother here the other day, one of my favorite spots in Santa Cruz!  It is a small piece of hilly land, that is intensively cultivated by the UCSC Agriculture program.  There are hundreds of apple trees, all different kinds, as well as plums, pears, lemons, oranges, all growing together with other vegetables, and flowers and loquat trees.

We returned the other day to 'adopt' a few more plants from their nursery.  Now our humble patio is turning into a real 'garden' of sort! 

Moonstone Beach

"We were here 20 years ago, and there were more moonstones back then," said a couple we met on the beach after we asked them about the presence of the gem-like stones.

"But there are jades, here, too! See, here, we found some..."

That was enough to send us all in a hurry to search for such treasures.

To clarify, these moonstones, and jades, are not what you would find in expensive jewelry stores, or even the mediocre ones. You may find them polished, and crafted into pieces of jewelry by some local, down-to-earth, yet talented artists.  And those, to me, are more precious than the ones that have to be locked up with security on all sides.

Anyhow, we did find plenty of beautiful jades and moonstones, and many other gorgeous pebbles. I will not be surprised if we return to this beach again soon, just so that we can find some more hidden treasures from the sea.

The California Coast

Momo looking at seals sunbathing on the rocks.

Morro Bay Rock

Hearst Castle

With a visit from my mother, we decided to go south for a couple of days. Because California is so big, and the topography so diverse, just a couple of hours down south makes a big difference.

We played on several beaches that bring us different gifts from the sea than what we get here in Santa Cruz: moonstones, sand dollars, pebbles so smooth you want to bring them all home. And oh yes, they have seals just yards away from the shore. Nature at its best!

We also visited Hearst Castle, the infamous castle set on an enormously beautiful property overlooking the Pacific ocean. The castle itself was quite impressive. I was rather impressed with their set up as well: a very well-run operation that is tourist-friendly, but not gaudy. Hard to find these days.

On the way home, we drove up Coastal Highway 1, with no fog in sight. The unrivaled beauty of this area, also known as Big Sur, always impresses me. And everytime I wonder why we don't go down there more often. Note to self: go down to Big Sur more often!

What's more important is that the memories collected from the trip will be treasured always.

Peace in the mountains

While some of our family members were at Plum village in France, meditating with Thich Nat Hahn and his disciples, we seeked our own refuge at Land of Medicine Buddha in Soquel, just down the street from Santa Cruz.

Peaceful and quiet. Without flying across the ocean! But someday, I would love to see and be at the Plum Village myself...

Almost back to health

Told you! We went back to the mulberry trees today. The kids have recovered, and I am almost there... But no more fevers and sleepless nights for them. Thank goodness.

Only a week later, and the mulberries have exploded! So many ripe ones have fallen onto the ground.  The kids enjoyed picking and eating and picking some more.  I did warn them that we shouldn't pick too many, as they are, you know, not ours.  Then my daughter pointed out to me:

"But Mommy, there are SOOOOO many of them!"

I did not argue.