Yesterday, the hubs and I took a wee road trip down to Santa Cruz. Along the way, we stopped at a favorite cafe of ours in San Jose & enjoyed a few fancy coffee drinks before making our way over HWY 17.
 |
| HWY 17 |
During the day and in pleasant weather the trip over the mountain is scenic and easy, but at night or in the rainy season HWY 17 is best skipped entirely. Halfway between San Jose and Santa Cruz is a town nestled in the hillside called Scotts Valley. I often wonder how the residents make due when 17 is invariably closed due to flooding come the rainy season. I'd feel trapped out there, if I were them.
Once in town, the hubs and I did some window-shopping along downtown's Pacific Ave. before finally stopping in at an Italian deli for lunch. The temperature outside was mild, but not cold. We actually sat out front and ate our sandwiches & did some people-watching. Santa Cruz attracts international students to its UC Santa Cruz campus, tourists from far and near, and rag-tag Deadhead types from who-knows-where. As a result, there's never a shortage of interesting folks to see while in the city center.
 |
| The moon is almost full. Our view from Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. |
 |
| Old bank building, ca. 1895. |
As it was nearing dusk, we shot up Highway 1 toward home. HWY 1, from Santa Cruz to Pacifica, is not well-lit. Without the tail-lights of cars to brighten the road in front of us, we would have seen only the dark outline of trees along the roadway. From Santa Cruz to Half Moon Bay, Davenport excepted, it's mostly just open land, a few farms here and there. During the day it's a peaceful sight, but at night it's a bit eerie.
 |
| Our route, mostly, up the coast. |
Thanks for stopping. As for Scotch eggs, check the starter's bit of the menu of independent, middle class pubs. The probably brew beer, too.
ReplyDeleteOur pubs seem to differ from yours. -hard to find a decent one, let alone one that serves Scotch eggs. Pickled eggs were to be had at pubs around here once upon a time, but that has gone the way of the dodo.
DeletePeople watching is addictive isn't it? I will confess to a little eavesdropping to go with it.
ReplyDeleteScotch eggs? Bleah. My mother's were famed but I never acquired the taste.
I like a Scotch egg, I must admit. But bad ones are bad.
DeleteThat looked like a nice trip. It is so cold here, the lake is frozen. Colder than it has been in years. I don't know how they do it up north. I'm ready to move to southern CA though I couldn't afford it.
ReplyDeleteI've read that you all have been plagued by unseasonably cold weather. So. Cal. wouldn't be bad save for the Fall/Winter wildfires they now contend with. :(
DeleteI have read this twice, but nowhere can I find a reference to Scotch Eggs. I feel as though I have drifted into someone else's blog...
ReplyDeleteJoanne posted about Scotch eggs. The topic drifted from there to here.
DeleteIt seems in other parts of the US, Scotch eggs are eaten with Sauerkraut & mustard! I'd go for that!
Stalking your trip on google maps... Such beautiful landscape, and so different from the east coast.
ReplyDelete20 degrees F here and not getting warmer any time soon...
Yes, the landscape is vastly different! I think it's 64F out today. I'm taking a walk through town sans coat, hat, scarf, etc.
DeleteI bet they prepare for the rainy season when they are cut off. People who live in those out-of-the-way places tend to know these things are coming.
ReplyDeleteYes, you're right. If they didn't, then they'd be very sorry.
Delete