Santa Cruz, like going home and up PCH 1
after a horrible flight back from HI (the seats on united are so close together you can't lean back, yeah, we fly coach, there's 5 of us!). for the adults, it was mostly an uncomfortable sleepless night. kids did better. picked up our rental car and I drove over hwy 17. kat still hates that drive.
stopped by our old home. this really confused #2 son, "really? we used to LIVE HERE?"
Capitola was very near our old home, we went back for much needed cappuccino.
we used to spend a lot of time in Capitola. it was an easy bike ride from our home.
we checked into the Hotel Paradox early, kat took a long nap. The boys were anxious to get in that pool, I went with them.
Kat woke up refreshed. we enjoyed pool side service.
we all loved the Paradox. rooms are small, but this is probably the nicest option near downtown santa cruz.
we took the kids to one of our favorite restaurants when we lived there. the palomar was still delicious! and it didn't hurt that it was happy hour... we had oysters!
it was the daughter's birthday, she got her favorite food, enchiladas. she also got flan.
we met up with some food and wine loving friends at one of our all time favorites Soif! you know kat had the duck confit!
CHEERS!
we also had oysters! they paired with some delicious champagne that had a strong limestone bouquet. excellent!
it should be noted that one of our food/wine loving friends from austin was in Seattle, she was eating the same variety of oyster at nearly the same time. from here on out, it was an online virtual oyster volley. we'd eat oysters and post a pic, and she'd follow up with her oysters... we might have a problem...
Shark's Tooth Beach (cove):
yeah, I guess we're going down there. I followed althought I wasn't really prepared to hike down the cliff and play in the surf and sand.
Pescadero State Beach:
the daughter took off to explore the tidal pools.
the boys went straight for the beach.
what a dumb-ass, blue suede shoes? really?
Duarte's, love this place. I first came here nearly 20 years ago.... can that be right? anyhow, I have an old T-shirt from that first visit. it's starting to wear thin and has a stain or two. I was hoping for a new one, but they were out of my size! the boys got shirts and hats. the daughter never wants us to spend any $ on her. I can't say I left empty...
OYSTERS! and Anchor Steam!
we also had their strawberry rhubarb pie, wasn't as good as my dad's.
Montara State Beach:
