Sea of Blue

Welcome to the weekend.

Have I ever mentioned that Point Reyes is my most favorite place on Earth? Honestly, if I could day-trip anywhere I would pick Point Reyes. There are the obvious reasons; amazing (sea) food, fresh produce and grilled cheese, small-town shops and local mom's and pop's,...and the deep blue sea.

The trail to Arch Rock is a mild one and, as I saw Saturday, many even don their Sperry's and khakis to make the four mile journey to the ocean. It's always amazing when you walk out of the forest and the view opens and you can see miles of blue. How miraculous it must have felt to discover the West and finally the Pacific. 

  

We stopped in Point Reyes Station for dinner and treated ourselves to the local catch and some hot chocolate. The town was peaceful and misty and smelled of wet and eucalyptus  - yet another reason to visit often.

In the Kitchen: tacos

Got the top knot and a blood orange fizzy - I'm ready to make some tacos.
Ingredients: red peppers, onions, black beans, brown rice, grapefruit with pepper flakes, salsa, lime...and love.

Sweethearts

This pretty much summed up my Valentines Day. Mmm, molasses cookies dipped in chocolate with coconut
(drooling as I type).

Mystery Man

I named him Raul.

Golden

Drive East, hook a left, past the fence and around some gargantuan divots in the road, then you're there. The mossy rocks and the beautiful lake in the background make you forget the streets, the grey skies, and puts you in the mode. I was able to capture two of my climbing idols on the wall as they ascended the 5.12+ routes. They've got killer moves.

Rock of Ages

 

Question. When are you too old to buy general tickets and stand close to the speakers? I love concerts and have attended many in my college days - there was many a crowd surfing, swaying and even catching a drum stick at warped tour. However, the East Bay has shown me the dark, smokey side of concerts and I wonder if it's time to sit in the actual seats or listen from afar. Hmm, maybe I'll wait till middle age. I just can't resist moving my feet and trying to make eye contact with the lead singer.

Traditions

Oddly enough, I always look forward to MLK Jr. weekend. I know I will get to eat anything I want and I'll be able to spend it with Jared. There's always climbing at Castle Rock and there's always a corn dog waiting for me at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. This year I was a bit under the weather so I was on belay duty while Jared climbed his heart out. After the morning workout J and I ventured on the windy road to SC. As I ate my corn dog on the beach I was so giddy that it was January and kids were playing in the water and J was wearing a t-shirt. After a stroll down the pier and a huge burrito downtown, I was ready for my Penny ice cream. Oh, this must be one of my favorite traditions. Here's to many more years of climbing and corn dogs!