Surfing and redwoods!

Well it was another beautiful, sunny day in San Jose. It's been pretty warm here- chilly in the morning (in the 40's) but warming up to mid-70's. I just got my camera back from getting debris cleaned out from inside the lens, so I figured I'd have an early morning surf session, followed by a stroll through the redwood grove and still make it back in time to run some errands (like getting my high speed internet set up-YAY!).

I got up early and drove out to Santa Cruz right before the sun came up. I just got a new, warmer wetsuit since my old one just wasn't cutting it. I pulled into the parking lot at the end of 41st St. and hopped out to check the waves. It was pretty chilly out (mid-40's) so I was not chomping at the bit to pull my warm clothes off quite yet.

Here's my new surf spot.

There was a funny group of mostly older guys out in the line-up this morning, and due to the lack of any significant swell, it wasn't crowded at all. The water however, was absolutely frigid. It got especially cold when the sun came up and the wind picked up. Brrr!

Wednesday had been my first day back surfing in about 5-6 years which left me incredibly rusty and I was not able to ride a single wave. Today I rode quite a few. I also saw a few sea otters and more dolphins. One of the spectators up on the cliff was pointing out a leopard shark to a guy in the water. As the tide came in, it messed up the waves quite a bit and I was getting cold anyway, so I decided it was time to hop out.

Here's some pics of the spot from after I got out.

I shivered like crazy as I got out of my wetsuit and into warm, dry clothes. I hopped in the car, blasted the heater and drove out to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. It was still pretty chilly and the redwood trees provide quite a bit of shade, so I blanced my coffee in freezing hands while trying to take pictures. There's a path that circles the grove that's just under a mile long.

I found a warm sliver of sun, so I stood in it for awhile with my eyes closed, warming my body.

I made it back to the start of the loop and decided to check out the gift store. I knew better, but couldn't help myself. They had a lot of cool things. I bought a little gift for a friend, a giant redwood seed growing kit for myself, and then spotted an ice cream bin. It's way too cold for ice cream, I thought as I peered into the case. You really don't need ice cream.

No, I don't. But I do need a chocolate dipped cheesecake! As I walked along the road back to my car, I ate my chocolate covered cheesecake and the sun warmed my back. I was one happy girl.

I got home and decided I better get to work on germinating those seeds! 

The kit comes with seeds, soil, little white pebbles, and it's own little "greenhouse". I got it all set up, anxious to see some sprouts within a few days...then got to step 7.

I don't even get to set them in the sun for 20 days! I gotta trick them into coming out of dormancy. Lame. So here they are in their temporary home, wedged between the Sherry and Ezekiel bread. 

To be continued....in 20 days.