A Day By The Ocean Blue

My good friend Margaret has returned from the Emerald Isle and it just so happened to coincide with my celebration of Mr Columbus getting very, very lost. So we decided to catch up over a Coastal Adventure. Which usually is our go-to catch up adventure when she returns to the bay.

I loaded my green machine sweet bike into the back of my Rav4 (you may call it nerdy but I call it the absolute perfect car for me) and rolled over to Marge's where we loaded her ruby red Schwinn into the back as well. And we were coast bound.

We made the traditional stop at the HMB Coffee Company (and later decided we have never NOT stopped there first. We like tradition).  And cruised down Main St just in time for the announcement of the winners of the World Championship Pumpkin Weigh Off! 

I'm inclined to believe the best things really do grow in Napa as that's where this 1985 pounds of pumpkiny goodness hailed from. I wonder if they water him with wine?! 

After trying to get a few pics of the newest local pumpkin celebrity we had to escape the amateur paparazzi. Kanye would have NOT liked this scene. People were all up in this pump's biz. 

We went back to the car and unloaded our sweet rides and did a little warm up. 

More like Marge warmed up and I snuck a few shots of it.  And we were off. The best way to get your adrenaline pumping is definitely to cross Highway 1 on a bicycle. I'm adventurous when it comes to crossing streets - if the countdown is more than 3 seconds I like to go for it.

Facing a state highway while on a bike? Challenge accepted. 

We crossed and survived and were well on our way to the coastal trail. The same trail my family went to on Father's Day. 

On one side we have the gorgeous hills that separate us from the foggy-ten-months-out-of-the-year coast and on the other side we have the clear-blue-crisp-only-two-months-a-year Pacific Ocean.

Even the ice plant seemed to be changing it's wardrobe for fall. 

Eventually, 5.5 miles later we reached our destination.  And reward: Pumpkin Ale.

We sat outside under the hot October sun, and caught up on all things US and all things Ireland. 

Over fish & chips - the cuisine of the motherland as well as beer & cheese platter - the cuisine of the homeland:

Good news we biked the 5.5 miles back safely. Crossed the highway again safely. A little exhausted, a bit sunburned, and very sweaty. 

We couldn't end a day in Half Moon Bay in October coming home empty handed. 

So we each snagged the biggest pumpkin we could carry. (I think I pulled a muscle) And learned those wheelbarrows and wagons are there for a reason.

Coastal adventure complete!!!

One jack-o-lantern coming right up!

One Final Adventure for 2012: The Coast Post

I truly believe the West Coast is the Best Coast.
And on New Years Eve, Betsy, Angela, Margaret, Ellen and I headed out on Highway 1 to soak it all in.
Squeezing just one more adventure into 2012.
We loaded up Betsy's mom's Swagger Wagon and got to adventuring.

We had a loose agenda, a few things we had done before, and a few that we had yet to try.
It was as if the coast knew we'd be showing up with one big camera and several iPhones, as she was dressed to blue sky, green grass, and yellow wildflower perfection.

And after we took an unholy amount of photos in this incredible field, we headed southbound on Highway 1.

The sky was as blue as it comes. The clouds were wispy and white. The Pacific was dressed in it's New Year's Eve sparkles. And everything around us was lush and clean and green from all the recent rains.

And then this happened.

And then this.

And with the help of the self timer, this too.

And can we talk about this?!!?
Or maybe not, because seriously, I have no words. Well, maybe one. REFLECTIONS!!

All of this, and we hadn't even had lunch yet.
The day had just begun.

And then there was lunch.
And it was good.

And after lunch.
There were goats.
And goat cheese.
And a goat farm.
So much goaty goodness.

Local honey, cheese, olive oil.

It was all so pretty.

And then I got a text, "come upstairs ASAP"
To which I found Betsy and Margaret in the cutest little banquet room.
It was so dark, and I hardly got any pictures.
But all of us were day dreaming hipster dinner parties, with live music, twinkle lights, fresh flowers, and plenty of cheese.

And it overlooked what we came for, the goats!
So we headed down to see the little nannies.

And stood there standing and watching goats.
For a lot longer than was probably necessary.
But, GOATS.
So, you know. We stared.
And tried to make it interesting.

After the goat farm, we headed back to highway one, but not without another awesome photoshoot location detour.
Because, how beautiful are these backdrops.

And since the days are so short, the sun was already getting lower, the clouds were getting wispier, shadows longer, and the glow was this beautiful creamy yellow.

The sea was foamy.
And the waves were crashing the rocks, while the spray met us up on the bluff.

And we kept going.
Little by little, down the coastline.
A mile here, a mile there.
And next stop, we were at a strawberry farm.

With an honor system bakery and gift shop.
A little till left on the counter, where you make your own change, and generosity is encouraged.

There is a 10% discount for those who come by bicycle AND are wearing a helmet. (Safety first!)
A little seating area welcomes you to stay for a while, play vintage board games, play with old timey toys, and flip through yellow paged books.
All things kitschy. All things magical.

The day was nearly done.
We continued all the way to Santa Cruz. With berry filled bellies.
Walked a little bit of the downtown, did some window shopping, and as the sun dipped below the horizon, we returned home.

Countless adventures on the books. Closing out 2012 with seabreezes and ocean air.
I think every year should be closed out this way. Every day, if it were possible.

Later that night, back in town, we rang in the new year with old friends, a shiny disco ball, festive hats, and smokey party poppers.

A day like this was most definitely the best way to say goodbye twenty-twelve, and hello twenty-thirteen.

Adventure Day (One of Two) 2011

I had last week off.
It was delightful.
And just what the doctor ordered.

A fabulous way to wrap up 2011.
However, this week I may be regretting it slightly...but hopefully not.
I've got my butterscotch pops ready to roll.

They are my self prescribed medicine for work related stress.

Anyway, back to Adventure Day.

Last year, Betsy, Margaret and I had an entire Adventure Week.
This year we had one day that all three of us were available.
And a second day that Margaret and I were able to venture out.
But I think we successfully crammed a lot of fun into these days.

It started with a text from Margaret on Tuesday morning....what are you doing today?
My response: gym, errands, etc.
BO. RING.

She says, let's do something.
I say, while I get ready, you figure out an adventure.
The suggestion is ice cream in Sausalito.
Because...why not?

We wrangle Betsy into our plans.
And head north.

Heading north on 101 is one of my favorite drives.
Well, besides heading south on 101.
They are both pretty awesome.

This used to be my drive to college.
Sorry SoCal college kids,
but Golden Gate Bridge > Harris Ranch.

Betsy and Margaret bring the artsy to the party.
I bring the camera.
It works out well for them.

I also take sneaker shots of cute dogs.
Because....well...
just because, that's what I do.

Margaret & Betsy each displayed their excitement appropriately.

And we dined on fish & chips, sammies, fried zucchini, and ice cream crepes. 

Yummers.

We walked the main street, people watching, and more than likely being the subject of people watching - since we were giggling up a storm, and had an impromptu photoshoot along the water front.

And then, as we were just about to away to pop into some of the shops, this guy caught a crab.

It was kind of exciting.

So why stay in town for ice cream, when it is much more exciting to hop in the car and get it somewhere a little more spicy!