Sierra Mountains

Limekilns at Pogonip

Berry Creek Falls and more...

This weekend we decided to take a 12 mile hike in Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Amazing trail, great views, beauty abounds.

There were so many trees down and in this tight little valley above they had no place to fall except over the creek.

Berry Creek Falls.

A hollowed out tree with a skylight. The biggest 'cave' we've seen to date. If the shit hits the fan we could totally live in this tree!

Past Berry Creek Falls, we continued to rise and climb up and practically through other spectacular falls.

Then we were up on a ridge for a little bit before descending and climbing and descending and climbing the rest of the way back to our starting point.

What we learned: I WILL NOT hike in jeans ever again (duh, I already knew this I just never seem to get around getting hiking gear - but no more!). I WILL get myself a hydration pack (this jenky little set-up is totally lame). And Dustin WILL buy himself some real hiking boots (his poor feet were killing him by 3/4 of the way through - not good).

Seymour Marine Discovery Center

We decided that Sundays are going to be our adventure/explore days. Since we're trying to save money we're also trying to do it on the cheap. I know this will be super easy because we're surrounded by amazing adventures just waiting for us to find!

This Sunday, our adventure took place in Santa Cruz. Cost? $6/adult.

This is the largest Blue Whale skeleton in the world. Wow, this is why I do not swim in the Ocean. Haha!

D almost didn't get to leave with both of his arms.

Although this is not a great picture I included it here because it's so cool. This is a little shark embryo. If you look closely you can see the outline of a teeny tiny little baby killer. Ha! Just kidding, I'm sure it's one of those 'friendly' sorts.

These were my favorite creatures. Sunflower Stars have around 15,o00 itty suction 'feet' which allows them to move pretty fast.

Krill. Lots of bigger creatures in the sea eat these and I have never seen what they look like until today.

Exploration Sunday

Today, we went exploring in Mt. Madonna County Park. We hiked all over the Meadow trail, Upper and Lower Miller trails, and walked the nature trail where we saw the ruins of the Miller family summer home. Also, it pointed out the madrone, tan oak, eucalyptus, acacia, and redwood trees that all live in these forests. We stopped to have a picnic and catch our breath before we went out exploring some more. We had a fun time!

We drove down the mountain the back way on Madonna Rd. instead of the 152 which took us back to the 152 the long way. And was a way cooler drive with great views of the valley. We had to stop by the Corralitos Meat Market for some of their famous sausages and then another quick stop at a flower cart where Dustin filled up my arms with pink tulips! What a great day!

A sunny day in January.

70 degrees out in January?! We're doing something outside! We decided to join in on the Fungus Foray that the Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz hosted at Quail Hollow Ranch. Along with a mushroom specialist (would he be a Funginator?) we hiked around on the path to the pond. It was so amazing how many different kinds of mushrooms were found! Many of them were inedible, only one toxic shroom, and even a few chantrells! The walk alone was a much needed retreat from being inside on rainy days! Just to feel the sun warming my skin ...ahhh ::sigh::

After all the groups met up we all deposited our finds on a picnic table in baskets. Some folks had guide books for identification, some just wanted to get to the cooking part (really they wanted to get to the tasting part). Dustin and I decided not to stick around and try to fight for teeny pieces of mushroom but it was surprising how many different sizes, shapes, and colors of mushrooms exist. Pretty informative and fun day!

These little beauties are called Candy Caps and like their name smell very sweet and are typically used in cookies, puddings, and cakes. I definitely need to look into these gorgeous 'shrooms. Where can I find some more??

Holidays

Grandpa & Grandma Spaulding surprised us with plane tickets to Southern California so we could spend Christmas with (at least part of) our family. We had fun just relaxing, decorating Christmas cookies, playing a little Apples-to-Apples, and eating yummy food. It was great to see everyone!

Dustin's birthday

Dustin turns 31! After opening presents and having a yummy breakfast, we set out for an overnight adventure to Pigeon Point Lighthouse. We stayed in the hostel in order to take advantage of the 'best hot tub' on the coast!

Windy and cold, this lighthouse on the cliffs is not a particularly inviting place. We were anxiously awaiting our time slot in that warm hot tub!

Pigeon Point Lighthouse

Okay, let's just say this. The hot tub was indeed warm. However, the 'best hot tub on the coast' is stretching it quite considerably... haha! We were laughing hysterically at ourselves for braving the freezing rain slapping us in the face in the dark. Once we actually made it out to the hot tub and got in it was great. And veeeery dark. We spent our hour time slot chuckling at the 'view'. Just for the pleasure of recalling this memory, we are coming back in the summer--maybe we'll actually get to see the ocean next time.

Happy Birthday, love of my life. I hope this next year is even better than the last!