Our week in Santa Cruz visiting Melissa and Ryan again has been quite nice. We arrived on Saturday, March 30th, just in time to watch some March Madness hoops and enjoy pizza in their home. Here we are, reunited in time for tip-off of the Clemson game.
Easter Sunday was an absolutely beautiful day here. After a morning soak in the hot tub at our hotel, we took a nice walk along West Cliff Ave, and took in the spectacular ocean views. There were surfers, walkers, and bike riders everywhere you looked. We stopped in a few spots along the way to visit a pretty tidal pool where we looked up at wildflowers along the cliffs. Emily made a new furry friend on the small dog beach where there were several dozen puppies and dogs playing in the sand and surf. It was really quite a scenic and pleasant stroll.
On Monday, we headed south along the coast to our very old stomping grounds of Monterey. It is a special place for all of us. Our time attending NPS over 20 years ago is still so memorable, and now it holds a coveted place in the hearts of Ryan and Melissa as well. As part of his Stanford PhD program, much of Ryan’s research and lab time is spent at the Hopkins Marine Station next to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. He even volunteers as a diver in the Aquarium tanks! Melissa loves to join him here when they can get away together in this truly beautiful place. Emily was thrilled to see the sea otters again! Unfortunately, poor Em started feeling sick soon after our visit, and the girls cut their trip short to head back to Santa Cruz.
Em was really sick, and cuddled up to some meds that eventually got her back on track – particularly the prescription antibiotics!
Ryan and I were fortunate to stay in Carmel for a night before enjoying a round of golf at our definite favorite course in the world so far. Our only wish was that Bapa had been there with us again this time – next round Bapa! We awoke on Tuesday morning to sunny blue skies, temperatures in the low 60s and very light winds on the Monterey Peninsula. PERFECTION! There might be no better place for a father and son to find themselves on a day like that than The Links at Spanish Bay. It is just a magical place for anyone that has been bitten by the golf bug, as well as anyone else that appreciates stunning natural coastal beauty. It takes your breath away. I mean it. Come play someday if you have the means, and simply stop by to take in the sight and smell of the Pacific whether or not you golf. I promise you you’ll be glad you made the journey.
After our round, we drove along the coast to take in the scenery that I am positive pictures don’t do justice. I’ll share some below, but please know that it is so much prettier than I can depict here. We followed up our stops with a quick and enjoyable round at The Hay, a short par-3 course overlooking Pebble Beach. I know… life is hard.
We headed back north to Santa Cruz and took a little mid-week hiatus in hopes for a recovery from Em. She wasn’t feeling well at all, and a rest was needed. 🛏️
Our mid-week break was appreciated by all. Antibiotics are a wonderful thing. After we walked the beach and the harbor, Emily emerged from her nap feeling good enough to join us for dinner and some trivia. We found some beautiful seaglass on the beach and enjoyed watching the boats come in and out of the harbor. Though we didn’t do well at trivia,we still had fun and laughed a lot!
Santa Cruz has a beautiful boardwalk with an amusement park and an arcade where we spent some time on Thursday afternoon. Skeeball is a family favorite and we had a couple competitive rounds. Stacey won the first one and Ryan was the second round victor with a final ball landing in the 10,000 point slot, causing Ryan to exclaim “that’s the greatest thing I’ve ever done!” Connect Four hoops and some Ms Pac-Man were enjoyed along with some intense nerf gun battles! This is a good spot to feel young again and share more laughs. We walked from there to Jack O’Neills overlooking the ocean for a delicious dinner and a few drinks. Cake from Wholefoods was purchased for dessert on MegaCouch back at home. What a great day!
Our last full day in California was beautiful again. Stacey, Em and I took a long walk through town and through the harbor. Out on the pier, we saw hundreds of sea lions lounging and playing in the water. Souvenirs were procured on the way home. We then took a drive out to Pleasure Point to watch a few dozen surfers who all definitely knew what they were doing. It is amazing how they avoid each other when it looks like they will surely collide. We saw one fool without a wet suit who had to be freezing in that water!
Ryan and Melissa have been the perfect hosts once again, and we are so happy to have the means to visit them on the West Coast. For our final dinner, what could be better than pizza on the beach at sunset? Natural Bridge State Park was our venue, and the setting was perfect. I took more pictures than I should have, as it proved to be a gorgeous evening. As the sun fell into the Pacific, we chatted and chuckled as easily as we always do together. I’m so very thankful for our family and the genuine love and appreciation we continue to share. I look forward to the next reunion of The Official O’C. 😍 Thank You Stacey, Emily, Ryan and Melissa for such a fantastic week! 🌞🌊🌴
Wonderful!
Family time is the best time!
Unbelievable
A truly amazing and inspiring family.
Thanks Dave!