SANTA CRUZ~CA

Santa Cruz-CA from Riverland RV Resort-CA; 3 hr 4 min (178.7 mi) via CA-99 N and CA-152 W

US Route #99; known also as the "Golden State Highway" and "The Main Street of California", US #99 was an important route in California throughout much of the 1930s as a route for Dust Bowl immigrant farm workers to traverse the state (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_99)

March 27th: We pulled stakes at Riverland RV Resort-CA, and aimed Betsy's nose towards Santa Cruz-CA. Holland has talked about wanting to visit Santa Cruz again, ever since we got together: this morning, it's happening :-)

The resort is very nice, clean, and feels like deep country, even though it is mere seconds from a busy 4-lane thoroughfare.

The ground shook like a minor earthquake any hour of every day, due to the busy railroad tracks that ran the length of the equally busy freeway: the fake stone-sound-barrier-wall hid the freeway traffic, but did little to squelch the steady Route #99 road traffic & train sound.

Add the country noise ambiance (which I really enjoyed) of frogs, geese, ducks, singing birds, ect. … and Holland was struggling to get quality sleep - night time, or daytime napping. Holland is a light sleeper; so the air purifier was turned on during shut-eye time, for white noise which helped lull him to sleep.

I will miss passing by the horse paddocks; the 'River Ranch' acreage fronts the Riverland RV Resort, directly behind it on a dead-end roadway.

It was a beautiful morning for hookin' up and movin' out; and the sky was busy, too ;-)

I will miss the country vibe here, but the questionnaire was just too intrusive for our liking.

The freeway was just the other side of the wall … and the 24-Hr train added to the noisiness.

A nature-created-niche in this old tree; Holland's cathloic friends would stuff mary's figurine into it.

I'll miss the horses …

Hanson's River Ranch; #38568 Ward Dr, Kingsburg, CA

Hanson's River Ranch: 

(https://ctba.com/dar-hanson/)

The stallion paddock.

The 'nursery paddock' in the background was filled with new foals.

Crossing the overpass and merging with #99 freeway traffic, I glanced out my passenger window and saw a black swan idling in the King's River that flowed along the freeway. What a surprise!

Holland was matching freeway speed, so I couldn't get a decent picture, but I grabbed my phone and googled Black Swans in CA (to make sure I saw what I thought I saw), and sure enough - they are a regular water bird here. Over the years while researching White Swans, I had read about Black Swans, but this is the first time I've ever seen one :-)

I haven't been able to find articles about Black Swans swimming the Kings River in Kingsburg-CA … but I can certainly testify to seeing one - and if traffic hadn't been so frantic, I would have taken a picture of one floating near the left bank of the Kings River-CA.

Black Swan: 

(https://keyt.com/lifestyle/animals/2021/05/02/mysterious-black-swans-spotted-in-santa-barbara-harbor/)

The Santa Cruz Mountains route was something new for both of us - Holland usually took another route, but the KOA we had reserved a space at was in this locality.

95% of CA is something new to me ;-)

Santa Cruz-CA KOA Park from Fresno-CA; 2 hr 25 min (143.9 mi) via CA-152 W

Santa Cruz Mountains: 

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Cruz_Mountains)

Santa Cruz Mountain Range-CA; outlined in red.

The KOA was off the main road course, and it was very rough going - it was also the only available Santa Cruz RV Park that could handle our size. So, we sucked it up and cruised forward on a hope and a prayer.

Very r.o.u.g.h. road!

We were watching the rough road to avoid damage to Independence … and missed the turn we needed. Trying to locate the road needed, we burned rubber getting over a little steep road hump (the stop sign was literally at the top of it, meaning we had to stop … and stall!); the crossroad was busy death trap with frenzied drivers barreling around blind corners at both ends of the roadway; we are hauling a small studio apartment on wheels/Betsy & Independence combined are about 65 feet long - so as soon as we had a clear avenue for forward motion, we shot over that road hump before another car came speeding our way. CA roads are designed for traffic accidents; no joke.

What an obstacle course!

The road - any way you want to dice it, is very sketchy.

We turned around a little further up the highway (Holland is a pro at getting us out of tight spots; and he does it calmly - thank God) and backtracked …

Another unforeseen occurrence … a dead-end road: pretty much a 1-lane road, and our 65 foot combo; I am constantly amazed at Holland's knack for turning on a dime.

When we passed that troublesome little steep hill in backtracking, we noticed that a semi (about 10-ft longer than we are) was also stuck trying to get up that road hump - his hood was straight up in the air … and his back bumper was scraping the blacktop; that's how short and steep that road hump was.

When we finally (by the grace of Elohim!) found the KOA, Holland said, "Let's unhook, then drive into Santa Cruz to take in the sight, get some pics for your Blog, and grab something to eat before the sun goes down."

I was in complete agreement to unwind with a drive to the beach; where Holland showed me his all-time-favorite places to be - all accomplished before sundown :-)

We finally reached our destination.

Cabin rentals.

A train ride around the Park …

Tiny house rentals.

We slid in, set up; and was ready to explore.

We did drive-by touring because Holland can't walk long distance without pain gripping him … and I have never felt the need to {fully immerse} myself in places to experience the excitement of being there.

Drive-by touring with my husband beside me, works just fine ;-)

Holland was born in Santa Cruz; and his immediate family lived fairly close to the Santa Cruz beachfront (and he spent several years here on his own from age 14 to mid-20's, when he worked jobs here), so he is very familiar with the places (and shared stories of his life, here) of the things we saw here in Santa Cruz.

The Boardwalk reminded me of the Coney Island stories my mother used to tell my siblings and me, of her teen years.

The architecture of Santa Cruz's early days interested both of us; I personally like it; and having grown up among it, and worked construction jobs the majority of his working years … Holland has an interest in and keen sense of detail in both the architectural building end of construction, as well as the finishing end of construction work.

I was glad to get this small glimpse of Holland's childhood/young adulthood years & his hometown environment - it gives me a better understanding of him, his character, and his outlook on life.

The Boardwalk; we did a drive-by viewing.

Holland & Laton Cousins; possible 1967 - they have all spent time here in Santa Cruz. The 5 yo cutie, bottom left corner, is Holland ;-)

Walking the pier to find the taco shack would be impossible, for us: we found a BBQ place uptown and got pulled pork and garlic fries - half of which we took home and finished off, later on ;-)

Holland was working and drawing a full-grown man's wage at age 14; he moved out of his mother's house and shared rent with his older brother Rick, for a while in Santa Cruz-CA.

He's pretty much been a solo lobo ever since (until we married of course, last January).

He talks of the other places he has lived and worked - but he talks mostly of Santa Cruz: this place, other than Laton-CA, holds a special place in his heart.

I love this old architecture.

Cowells Beach; Beginner surfers here.

Holland learned to surf here, when he rented a beach house in Santa Cruz, at 14 y.o.

The Safaris - 'Wipeout' 1963: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4IfxAQ4TqQ)

The house he and Rick rented, was in the curve of that Bay.

Holland 14 y.o.; 1977. The back beach apt. is where he lived.

Just a few paces up the street is a surfing area called the Middle Peak, but Holland and his surfing relatives called it "Sewer Peak". This is where Holland and his youngest brother Tito surfed: before work, after work, and all times between work. This surfing area doesn't have sharks, but it does have lots of kelp … sharks don't swim in kelp beds.

The last time Holland surfed was after his divorce in 1989; he and Tito were working and living in the general Santa Cruz area.

'The Middle Peak' (aka 'Sewer Peak'); This is where advanced surfers surf. Holland started surfing these waves when he was 15 yo.

Waves & rocks danger, here.

The Ventures - 'Hawaii Five-O'~original theme song:

 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rcvo4U33_L4)

Tall (6'4") and lithe at 27 y.o., I imagine Holland cut a spectacular figure cutting through the waves, on his surf board ;-)

Steamer Lane, a bit further up the Santa Cruz Beachway, was where the professional and {really good} surfers surfed: the waves here are so strong and treacherous, that Death rides with the young and daring.

Steamer Lane Lighthouse; 700 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA

A pretty 'natural arch'.

I nearly got soaked, here ;-)

'Seal Rock'

Cormorants.

The Chantays - 'Pipeline': 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz7a7SoR46M)

Holland's cousin James (and his father Jim, also professional), who was a paid surfer for Freeline and O'Neill surfer wear, surfed in the Steamer Lane area (and everywhere professionals surfed). James would occasionally surf with Holland and Tito - but he didn't encourage them to join him in the rougher surf waves - in fact, he flat out refused to let them surf there.

Steamer Lane-CA: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steamer_Lane & https://www.surfertoday.com/surfing/steamer-lane-the-heart-and-soul-of-santa-cruz-surfing)

I laughed out loud when I passed this, on the way back to the 4x; Holland was waiting, to drive me to the Steamer Lane surfing area.

I didn't get any pictures of the Steamer Lane waves because the road was barricaded off; we think there was an erosion issue due to all the storm weather up and down the coastline :-(

But we did see other sights along the detour route.

People in Santa Cruz take surfing seriously.

Natural Bridges State Park at #2531 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA

Bridges State Park-CA:

 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_Bridges_State_Beach) 2531 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA

Natural Bridges State Park beachfront …

The Walton Lighthouse is at the north end of Monterey Bay in Santa Cruz Harbor. It is a hotspot for fishing boats, which makes light essential - so this little beach lighthouse shines a green light to guide the marina boats safely to harbor.

Exploring the marina side of Santa Cruz-CA

More beautiful structures on the other end of the Bay …

Walton Lighthouse-CA; it's very small - I thought it was just a play-thing-tourist draw: but Holland said it is "a real deal.

"Santa Cruz Lighthouses: 

(https://beachnest.com/santa-cruz-lighthouses/#:~:text=The%20Walton%20Lighthouse%20is%20at,from%20the%201960s%20to%201996.)

Holland has talked a lot about the Santa Cruz Marina … he did construction work for a big-wig one year, and the guy was very happy with his work. Holland had free access to the guy's cabin cruiser, and enjoyed it to the max - without wearing out his welcome to it. Holland loves the water (creek, river, ocean …), and he was fishing junkie before his pain-inducing accident in 2000 curbed that hobby. He doesn't fish at all, anymore.

But he still talks about that generous boss (the guy owned The Boardwalk Amusement Park as well as other Santa Cruz properties), and his bosses fancy catamaran boat (he saw it, and knew who it belonged to; but he never was in it). Holland said that even though the guy was a multimillionaire, he was "the nicest guy you could ever know." 

At that point in his life, Holland was 36 y.o., and hobnobbing with the fat cats. A few years later a work-related-accident in Portland-OR, changed his life considerably; and he is still processing that.

The Santa Cruz Marina has an RV Park, and Holland did check into it (because he's a water baby ;-)) - but we are too large. It has showers, toilets, ect.; but it's basically drydocking, and does not allow RV's larger than 40 feet.

Headed towards the Marina …

The harbor was jam-packed.

Santa Cruz Harbor; 135 5th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA

Just before we left the marina, Holland looked around and wistfully said, "I wonder if it's still here …"

And, it was!

FOUND IT! The 'Chardonnay II'.

Catamaran: 

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catamaran)

I was happy for Holland :-)

Remembering the generosity …

The guy's cliff-house deck overlooked the marina, so when Holland came in, he saw how long he had waited at the gas pump … and went down and filled the tank himself, so it would be full next time Holland used it. How many bosses would do that?

We got Supper at Cole's BBQ; then drove to the Freeline Surf Shop to pick up some things for memento's ;-)

Possibly a 'Pacific Wax Myrtle; outside Cole's BBQ. These blossoms look like Hoya; but it isn't.

'Bird of Paradise' flower; 41st Ave.

Freeline Surf Shop; we grabbed some things here ;-) 821 41st Ave, Santa Cruz, CA

Driving down Broomer & 41st, I saw a sport shop advertising Disc Golf; so, Holland turned around and drove back to the shop … and narrowly missed running over a surf board that had flown off the top of a passing car and was skipping down the middle of the street.

He parked, and I ran into the shop and bought 2 disks. I have been looking all over the place for these discs; now I have 2, and can practice for the game ;-)

FOUND 'EM!

On our way to the KOA, we passed through a grove of Eucalyptus trees; the smell was wonderful. Holland has told me about this smell, here. I love the odor, and have had it wafting through my previous homes: some people don't like it, but I do - it opens my lungs so I can breathe easier. I'm glad Holland likes the odor, too :-)

Pretty cool beach house balcony.

Eucalyptus trees shed their bark, like a Yew.

Eucalyptus trees: 

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucalyptus)

We're both glad for today's Bucket List check-offs …

When we walked through the front door, we noticed that there was a vent cap laying on the floor - looking around we saw that a ceiling heater vent was missing it's cap … we are assuming that is a fallout from the morning's peel-out. I have stored it away to put back in place once we get off california's rough highways.

A casualty of the morning's peel-out.