Amusement

Quintessential summer;

a boardwalk by the sea

with screaming kids on rollercoasters and rides that spin.

Stands selling frozen custard, candy apples, and fudge.

Oodles of amusement, and photo opps.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Twenty two miles south of Santa Cruz

is California's oldest state park, Big Basin.

It has over 10,000 acres of old growth forest.

Deep in the woods, dwarfed by giant redwoods the silence was both comforting and unnerving.

I hiked an 11 mile loop which lead to an incredible waterfall.

Midday light spilled through the trees like a spotlight on the green moss.

The water rushed in a cascading pattern over the neon carpet.

So perfect it was surreal.

Santa Cruz

Another favorite, Big Sur Bakery, for breakfast.

Avocado toast on thick homemade bread topped with tomatillo honey jam.

A convergence of bohemian skirts with motorcycle boots and souvenir tee shirts.

Transient locals conversed about late night transgressions as tourists tripped through their reality.

Fascinated by those who call this strip of coastal paradise home.

What is a like to live here?  What does it take to plant your flag on this isolated part of of the coast?

Onward to Santa Cruz, a place I've longed to visit.

Took a tranquil late afternoon walk on West Cliff Drive past frolicking swimmers and surfers.

Oh California, you are a stunner.