Santa Cruz

You know how sometimes when you go somewhere, everything just clicks?  When you, by chance, stop by a little restaurant and the meal is incredible and by a stroke of amazing luck, you're given the perfect booth where the window overlooks the water?  When  you're charmed by the music in the art gallery and there are so many books you're in love with and must read in the bookshop that you can't buy less than six?  Or eight.  Where every time you turn your head, there's another delight?  And you never, ever want to go home because everything has this magical quality?  And you know that the world really isn't this perfect, but it's so wonderful how, just for this day, it seems like it is?

I've experienced all of these feelings when visiting places in the past.  Actually, on many occasions I've experienced these feelings when visiting Santa Cruz.  But yesterday wasn't one of those days.  Eh -- it happens. 

Calamari appetizer.  Meh.

The drive down was nightmarishly slow -- it took five hours to travel what should have taken three hours.  In one memorable spot, it took an hour to travel six miles.  Once in Santa Cruz, it became clear why the highway was so clogged -- everyone who'd been on the road at the same time was here.  The streets were packed with cars and there was absolutely nowhere to park.  It took another hour to have the great good fortune to be on a spot on the wharf when a car finally left just as we approached.  As it was past two in the afternoon, we were very hungry so we ate at a little restaurant where I've enjoyed the food before.  This time it was...so-so.  Not awful, but not particularly good.  We did have a nice view of the water though.

Sea Kitty

Afterwards, we walked around the wharf a bit.  Cute sea lions were barking underneath the pier.  One was standing on a trestle while luxuriously rubbing his jowls on the wood piling, like a very large, aquatic kitty cat.  That was cool.

OK, another fun thing was that there were three young people standing across from us on another part of the wharf.  They were not in a position to see the sea lions, and one of them called over to ask if I could see anything from where we stood.  "Yes, come over here!" I shouted back.  They came over to where we were and I happily put on my sea mammal tour guide hat -- not only pointing out the one rubbing his chin, but also the ones swimming nearby and the ones perched farther away, under the dock.  Then I got out of the way so that they had a better view.  As we strolled off, they were chattering away, snapping pictures and having a wonderful time.  I think this was the high point of my day.  Really!


There also was this pelican.  He completely ignored all the people passing by and settled in for a thorough grooming session.  I really liked this guy.

We'd planned to go to the boardwalk and go on some of the rides.  But as we stood on the wharf and looked over at the flood of humanity across the water, the rides whirling and going up and down with all the screaming that went along with that, we realized that we really didn't want to do that anymore.  Not even the cotton candy could tempt me.

Feeling oddly guilty at abandoning out boardwalk plan, we went back to the parking spot that we'd fought so hard to acquire, got back in the car, and drove into the older shopping area of Santa Cruz.  It was nice there, but the day still lacked that magic quality -- at this point, it felt like we were both gamely going through the motions.  We did, however, visit a fabulous bookshop where we bought some books, cards and writing paper.  There also was a harpist playing Irish airs on her harp outside and the music was lovely.  I put money in her box, hoping that the tide had turned, but no.  This particular day just didn't have that special quality that I was hoping for.  We were relieved to finally get back in the car and head for home.  Thankfully, the drive home went much more quickly.

One of the best parts of the day was how even when we both realized that the magic wasn't happening and we wished we'd stayed home, we still made the best of it.  If we'd bickered or fought, the day would have been abysmal.  As it was, it was a bit of a disappointment, but such is life. 

Today was a lovely day at home (Bruce finally beat me at cribbage!  About time).