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Fun in Santa Cruz

It has been a stay at home summer this year for the most part. We did rent a house in Aptos and spent a week with family celebrating John’s birthday. It was a fun time with family. The house we rented was called the Rose Tudor home. I highly recommend it. It slept 22 people and everyone was comfortable. Most nights there was 16 of us. This is a picture of the house.

http://www.agreatplacetostay.net/

Sandy Rio Del Mar Beach  was a 5 minute walk and Santa Cruz boardwalk was 9 miles away. We were able to ride our bikes to The Forest of Nisene Mark State Park  – fun ride – lots of uphill. The Rio Del Mar Beach was long and had great swimming for the children. I highly recommend Santa Cruz and the area surrounding for a great family vacation.

Paddle Boarding at the beach

Paddle Boarding at the beach

Fun on the Boardwalk Merry go Round

Fun on the Boardwalk Merry go Round

Father and Sons

Father and Sons

Santa Cruz Boardwalk

Santa Cruz Boardwalk

San Geronimo – January 14, 2014

Today started at 28 degrees on our back porch. I took an early morning walk with my sister. It was so cold and so beautiful. I took some pictures with my I-phone and thought I would post a few. What a contrast to the last 2 days in Bodega Bay. Amazing all we can experience weather wise in one week. Let’s hope rain is the next weather we see- we really need it!

Ann on the icy path along Sir Francis Drake Blvd.

Ann on the icy path along Sir Francis Drake Blvd.

 

Iced over flowers- Spectacular!

Iced over flowers- Spectacular!

 

Ice on the Golf Course

Ice on the Golf Course

Ice on the bridge and all around the pond.

Ice on the bridge and all around the pond.

Sun hitting the golf course- By noon it was quite a warm day!

Sun hitting the golf course- By noon it was quite a warm day!

 

Incredible 2 days in Bodega Bay

We left on Sunday for an overnight in Bodega Bay. The weather for January 12th was so clear, sunny and perfect all the way up the coast. Who would ever believe it is winter when the sun shines like this? When we arrived we checked into our Home for the night- The Bodega Harbor Inn. A charming Inn with a view of the bay and all the amenities you need.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

We headed out for a hike on the Bodega Head bluffs. It was windy and cold, but absolutely clear and so pretty. The ocean was wild and the bay calm. We walked for 2 hours then sat and watched the sunset.

The most prominent geological feature of Bodega Bay is Bodega Head, a peninsula that forms the the protective arm between the ocean and the bay. The San Andreas fault runs right through it, separating steep rocky bluffs from sandy dunes. Atop the bluffs, grasslands rise more gently to the coastal ridges.

“The most prominent geological feature of Bodega Bay is Bodega Head, a peninsula that forms the the protective arm between the ocean and the bay. The San Andreas fault runs right through it, separating steep rocky bluffs from sandy dunes. Atop the bluffs, grasslands rise more gently to the coastal ridges.”

 

The rock formations are part of the dramatic landscape.

The rock formations are part of the dramatic landscape.

 

Looking over the bay side toward town with our shadows in the distance.

Looking over the bay side toward town with our shadows in the distance and the moon above.

The beautiful sunset

The beautiful sunset

The colors so vibrant with the sun setting.

The colors so vibrant with the sun setting.

We returned to our Inn to get ready to go to dinner. We had a lovely seafood meal at “Lucas Wharf”. I had the prawns and scallops- John had Seafood stew, both were wonderful. I highly recommend “Lucas Wharf” for a perfect meal with a gorgeous view.

In The morning we had breakfast at “The Inn of the Tides”. It was a warm, sunny morning with lots of birds in the bay and seals. We had a window seat a great meal and I could have sat there all day.

Breakfast with a view

Breakfast with a view

We then headed up to Bodega Links for golf. Had a picture perfect day on the golf course. This is a tough course to play with lots of hills and lots of lost balls, but the scenery and views make it all worthwhile. It was a great 2 days and the perfect quick get-a-way.

The view on the front nine of Bodega Links.

The view on the front nine of Bodega Links.

 

Clear and warm on January 13th!

Clear and warm on January 13th!

 

A Day exploring Joshua Tree Park

Today was a great day of fun and adventure in Joshua Tree National Park. We drove from Palm Springs to visit the park which took an hour. We Parked at Barker Damn and then rode our bikes up Queen valley rode and then over sheep pass into Hidden Valley. The bike ride was spectacular and a lot of fun. We started out on a dirt rode then unto the park paved rode. Both easy to navigate and a great ride.The park is really spectacular. I want to return and camp here some time. So many wonderful hikes, bike rides, painting opportunities and photography. The park was full of rock climbers and it is one of the best rock climbing places around, not that I am interested in Rock Climbing:)- sure is fun to watch, though!

John riding The Queen Valley Rode

John riding The Queen Valley Rode

Backlit Smoke tree

Back lit Smoke tree

Barker Dam - A great hike

Barker Dam – A great hike

Reflections in Barker dam- Not much water- still and pretty reflections

Reflections in Barker dam- Not much water- still and pretty reflections

Sunset in the gorgeous Joshua Tree Park

Sunset in the gorgeous Joshua Tree Park