Santa Cruz'in It!

Highlights of a beautiful weekend in Santa Cruz with the Sorensen's, Thathiah's and Nashes!

We arrived on a rainy Friday afternoon. Before heading over to the Sorensen's house we stopped off and enjoyed a coffee. How cute huh? Starbuck's better get their act together! Competition is a tough one out there!!

Friday night was spent at the Mexican Restaurant across the street and the arrival of the Sorensen's around 9 pm.

Saturday morning was another wet day, staying inside, playing dominoes and enjoying the company. During a break David and Drew were able to tear down an old boat. These two love projects!

Of course a FULL COURSE meal was served! Vasi's famous LAMB CURRY! AMAZING!! I never ate lamb in all my life but EVERYTHING that Vasi makes is oh so yummy.

They talked me into trying the marrow!! Being a trusting kind of a gal, I tried it! They say it is a delicacy! It wasn't really my cup of tea.....but glad I tried it. The taste was a little too strong of lamb flavor for my liking.
On Sunday we awoke to THIS!!! Rain sure makes the atmosphere SWEEET!! Dick and I went on a run from Santa Cruz down to Capitola aka the Wharf to Wharf!! I ran this route many years ago in a race! So thankful we were able to make the 6.3 route! Who couldn't run it with this in your face? LOVE LOVE LOVE the ocean!

Drew's house is next to the inlet and boat docks.

The otters swam in and we watched them play.

Sunsets on the beach..... Breathtaking. Thank you God!

Sunday night dinner did not disappoint! A little surf and turf! Halibut and steak, asparagus, salad and rice. Yes, eating is one of our favorite activities!! This of course was AFTER working on part of the property by emptying a little house of furniture and household goods so the contractors can begin the remodeling.

We went on at least 2 walks each day - around 3 miles each walk.

I saw this old tree. Isn't he beautiful!?

Under the BOARDWALK!!!! In walking distance too! WOW the memories of yearly Band Reviews and of course the memorable trip when I brought Amy, Andrew and 2 visitors from Germany. Funny to recall....
Drew took us on lots of walks, wandering around the neighborhoods. It was a very relaxing weekend, lots of sharing and caring among these long time buddies. Can't wait til the next gathering!!

Running in The City!

I've been using my RunKeeper app more often now that I have the new iPhone4 - thank you Valentine!! With the old iPhone, I could use the RunKeeper and only use the music on my iPod through the app. The new iPhone4 changed that and now multiple apps can be open at the same time!! I LOVE this feature! Now I can listen to my Pandora while running along with the RunKeeper app!! AND, I've recently learned how to take a photo in the RunKeeper app - not having to open the camera, just take it right from the app! SWEETER!!

We've been having some absolutely beautiful weather! This week it has been rainy and cloudy but nonetheless, still beautiful to me.

Here are some photos I took while on a few runs this past week:

Yup, that is FOG where the bay is. Creepy eh? That is where I start!

Had to make the climb to get in the sunshine and.....

to see the tulips up here!!

The Views!! The HILLS!!

Looking down Broadway, AFTER the stairs of Lyon St.

I'll never tire of the view from the top of the Lyon St. stairs.

It does WONDERS on the recovery.

You pretty much start down below where it

is sea level and do the climb UP - to 360 feet!

Here it is without the fog.

Yea, this was the wind. See the handkerchief blowing in the 'breeze'? Must be at least 25 mph winds! Yea, we are running in this. Yea, my hair won't even stay under a visor or up in a pony! hahahaha!! Nice thing about wind is that it sure clears the air! CRYSTAL!

I ran out by the St. Francis yacht club on a different day.... Love the view from here too!

Turn to the right, you see this:

Turn to the left, you see this!

The wind/rain/mist/showers haven't stopped us from getting out there and exercising. We just have to embrace it and go with it.....we've been caught a few times and, amazingly, survived!! I was worried that Dick just may MELT, he did not!! ;-)

Today, I got stuck in the rain while running back from the pool. The raindrops reminded me of our memorable run in the Surf City Half Marathon in Huntington Beach a few years ago. I was a WET RAT after running the .60 mile home. Oh well, we decided that running in the rain builds character! We've been working a lot on our character lately!!

Walk #1

First set of stairways on our adventure!!

Starting out our FIRST set - with the book!!

I've recently learned about the Lyon Street stairway in San Francisco. I've incorporated them into my weekly runs and really enjoy the beautiful gardens, spectacular views and the challenge they bring! After talking to a neighbor, she told me of a book titled, 'Stairway Walks in San Francisco' by Adah Bakalinsky. I got really excited!! There are 27 suggested walks that have stairways, views and beautiful gardens all over the city!! OK. A new goal: Complete the 27 walks!

So today, we planned on trying one out. In the book it is Walk #15 - Marienbad in San Francisco - Forest Hill. I saw these stairs when Gabby and I had a job in Forest Hill neighborhood. They intrigued me and I wanted to learn more about them. This weekend is Valentine's Day Weekend so what better than a little hike and picnic with my Valentine? We packed a lunch and drove over to our starting point.

We were NOT disappointed! The VIEWS!! See the Golden Gate Bridge?

Lots of stairs!

Little did I know that this was going to be a learning experience in our relationship too! Well, I've known that we are 'Directionally Challenged'. We discovered this while on our vacation back East last summer. So, with my iPhone in one hand, reading glasses in another, lunch on my back, and the book in my other hand, we headed out. The book is awesome because it tells a little history about significant homes and monumental areas of the neighborhood so bringing the book is a must. Perhaps we'll photocopy the pages needed for Walk #2. Yea, we got lost a few times, I'd have to double check on the maps but we were able to find our way. We were able to talk about how this is going to HELP us, teach us to take risks on NEW TERRITORY, learn how to handle it and overcome. I hadn't thought of it before the walk but it was CLEAR during the first 5 minutes. This is going to be good for us.

It was an absolutely beautiful day. We went on our normal 4.5 mile run before doing this walk and we didn't have a problem. I told Dick yesterday that when we do this walk, we are not going for speed or accuracy. It will be a 'walk in the park' with no expectations, just to enjoy the views and smell the roses and learn more about our beautiful city! He agreed.

LOVE ARCHES!! The garden was beautiful too!

On my iPhone, I have the Run Keeper app. Last night I created the route, saved it, then used the route to help track the walk. I think, if you click on THIS LINK, you'll be able to view the route. Pretty cool eh? See the elevation changes? All of the GRAY balls are when we stopped to enjoy the view, take pictures or eat lunch.

As you can see, the walk took 52 minutes. When we paused, I would pause the application too. So this was totally walking time, including the 'extra' little mileage! hahaha....The book says to plan for 2 - 2.5 hours for each of their walks.

Before the LAST descent, we sat down underneath this tree and enjoyed our turkey sandwiches.

Our final steps

The happy stairway walkers

Looking UP the last stairway.

It was a GREAT way to learn about another neighborhood. It is a VERY peaceful area, without any hustle or bustle. We felt as if we were in a small community in Santa Cruz and Monterey with the trees and winding roads. As for our patience in 'Navigating Skills', we decided next time:

1. Dick will carry the book and read the history.

2. Barbara will work the iPhone with the map.

3. Barbara will bring a camera and not use the iPhone camera - just had to keep pausing the runkeeper app to take a pic. I think I can take a pic IN Runkeeper, have to look into that.

I hope to go on 2 walks a month - at least. It'll be fun writing and uploading pics about each walk too!

Thankfully, we ended the walk still being best buddies! ;-)

Treasure Island!

How many times have we crossed the Bay Bridge and I say, "Wanna go to Treasure Island?" Each time, Dick says, "Not today." So we continue on our way.

Well, we took David and Vasi to our new favorite restaurant in Oakland called Spettro. As we were coming home, of course I say, "Wanna go to Treasure Island?" Of course Dick says, "Not tonight." I explain how I say this each time to David. Well, David answered, "Actually, let's go!! I'll show you something!" So we took the exit! :-)

It was about 8:30 pm and this was waiting for us:

A NEW kissing spot!!! :-)

What a sweet surprise!! It was a calm, clear night. A MUST DO - just because we can!!

I actually have to give kudos to my daughter Amy - again.....I could NEVER take a photo at night. I would put the camera on the night feature and it was always blurry. Well, duh, she told me that the lens stays open for a long time, collecting in the light so you must place the camera on a ledge or a tri-pod in order for the camera be totally still during the shot. I placed the camera on the wall for this photo. She added that using the timer feature helps to keep the camera consistently still during the shot.

So, YEAH!! I was able to get on Treasure Island AND practice the night feature on the camera, thanks again to David and Amy!!

Trimming of the Greens

We've just finished celebrating our homes' 4th birthday at the end of January! Since we've lived here, we've never had the trees trimmed. Yeah, the pine tree in the back was HACKED away by PG&E to get the branches away from the power lines, but nothing pruned to enhance growth.

The time has come....

This New Zealand Christmas tree (Metrosideros excelsa) started it all. We read an article in the paper that these guys need to be pruned every three to four years - the time has arrived.

The Front - BEFORE

The Front - AFTER

The fruitless plum on the left was hanging over into the neighbors and really close to the wires. The tree on the right of the plum was crowding everyone out and looking smooshed.

BEFORE

AFTER

The old pine had a lot of dead stuff that needed to be removed.

BEFORE

AFTER

I asked the gardener to save me a few branches of the plum in bloom to bring indoors.

LOVE IT!

Nothing like a good haircut and facelift to feel sooooo good!! Here comes the Spring!

Life is Precious, Life is Sweet!

I volunteered at Davies Symphony Hall this morning, we listened to Beethoven - Symphony 1 and 2! The lecture beforehand was superb - as always.

Since I was busy from 7:30 a.m. - 1:30, I wasn't able to run with my favorite running partner - my Dickey Boy. After some lunch, laying in the sunshine on the back deck and checking in with Taylor when he came home from school, I set out. The winds are a little stronger in the afternoon, but it was a beautiful, crystal day.

I love running UP to the Golden Gate Bridge. The scenery is always changing. I just had to post this shot I just took. It is about 4:00 in the afternoon, sun in shining on the bridge, life is good.

I promise, I won't complain in July anymore with "Winters" like this. It truly is a beautiful city by the bay.