The Big Blue

Enjoying Our First Trip to the Pacific Ocean

This weekend we were able to take our first trip to the Pacific since landing in San Jose. We set out on a drive that took us over the Santa Cruz mountains. We passed Eucalyptus trees and Red woods on wonderfully windy roads. (Boy this little Honda is gonna get a work out!) Along the way we passed very cute little roadside cafés that seemed to be frequented by bike and motorcycle riders.

Once we were on the other side of the tall trees both Arch and I felt that the terrain looked a lot like either Tuscany or Umbria. (Maybe a bit more Umbrian because of the amount of agriculture.) Suffice to say we were both thrilled since we've been harboring secret fantasies of moving to Italy for quite a few years!

Finally we spotted the "Big Blue", the Pacific Ocean. Needless to say we stopped at the very first beach we passed. San Gregoria - sp. Between the cool cliff's that dive down in the ocean, the huge waves, the broad crecent beach, and the surfers . . . well it was really cool!

Nye and Arch build a raft out of drift wood. We explored a couple of sea caves. I took pictures of beach flowers. Basically we just goofed around and played near the pounding surf.

After lunch in Pescedro at a restaurant that has been there since the time of that stage coaches traveled along Route 1 we went to explore a local marsh. There were lots of ducks and other birds a bit too far away to see with the binoculars. But once again the humming birds put on a good show for us. We had amazingly good looks at Allen's humming birds and we think Ruby throated hummers.

Check out the flikr link below to see some pix of the Pacific coast near where we live.

We can't wait to continue to explore. Nye plans to rate all the beaches based on features, wind, etc.

All the best,

Sara, Arch and Nye

Try this movie instead: