The Hunt for Tide Pools

While trekking through Chinatown last Sunday, The Redhead asked if we could head to the ocean this weekend.  We thought that sounded like an excellent plan.  She was hoping to spot some wildlife.  And so we spent Saturday morning driving to Santa Cruz.  Mister Man recently went there for business, but we haven't visited as a family, so it seemed like as good of a time as any to head south.  It's time we start exploring our new state just a wee bit more.

Most importantly, we went hunting for tide pools.

We found the shore.  We found Natural Bridges State Park.  And we found tide pools.  We also went to the wharf and had the best view along with our lunch.  We gazed out into the deep blue and saw sailboats, kayaks, and even sea lions swimming.  And then as we walked further down the wharf, we found more sea lions.  And perhaps I took a few photos of our day.  

I could never grow tired of seeing this from the car.  And if I do grow tired of it, then please euthanize me.  Drown me in the very waters I have neglected.

I forgot to wear flip flops.  

The Redhead informed us that this was most likely a home for the trapdoor spider.  She knew a lot about these spiders.  I did not.  Until now.

Bacon of the sea.

Oh, barnacles.

The tide pools are actually up quite high.  In some of my other photos, you won't be able to tell just how high up they are because the waves are that massive.

In this photo, you can't tell how high we are.  It looks like the ocean is level to the rocks.  It's not.  It's an illusion.

We've only seen "tide pools" at aquariums.  Seeing them in their natural habitat is even more amazing.

Again, we are not level with the ocean at this height.  That's just how high the waves reach.

Walking back to the beach from the tide pools, I overhear another woman telling someone, "I'm a California girl.  I can't live two hours from the beach.  No way, no how." Well, California is a big state.  Most people live at least two hours from the beach.  And we live two hours from some beaches, and it's worth the drive.  Every time.  It's such a luxury to live even two hours away.  So amazing, truly.  After living in the Midwest, and the closest thing we had was a lake, this is the most beautiful part of our move.  I love that we can do this on the weekends.  Whenever we want.

When we first saw this rock structure, we hadn't realized it had an opening.  It's all about where you're standing.

The Redhead must have been starving when she found this bone on the beach.  Rightly so.  It was nearing one o'clock, so we headed to the wharf.

We ate at this neat little place called Woody's and were fortunate to sit by the windows with such a mesmerizing view.  Our food took forever, but it only allowed us more time to keep staring out into the water.

The black lump in the photo is a sea lion.  How lucky were we to be awaiting our lunch and watching sea lions swimming simultaneously?

This was the kiddie hot dog.  I fear what the adult version would look like.

More sea lions!

We heard these birds screaming quite loudly.  We were curious what was causing all that noise, and why, and they were tattle-telling on a sea lion.

The bunch of birds is the location of the sea lion again.

We kept hearing barking.  I just knew there were more sea lions around, and sure enough.

The Redhead was beyond thrilled.

Then, as I was admiring yet another view, we heard yet another commotion.

We were so glad we walked the whole wharf.  Had we not, we would have missed so much.  If you ever happen to be in Santa Cruz, make sure you pay attention to everything.

The Redhead could have stayed forever.  We could have too. Next time, we shall stay for a whole weekend.

Yes, Santa Cruz, we most certainly will be back.  For a weekend.

But in the meantime, I must not forget The Cats have their own police force.