I Heart Northern California

It has been pretty cold and rainy this week - on Tuesday it started raining around 9am, and didn't stop until about 7pm Wednesday evening, which is quite the concept for a Colorado Girl - but! Today I woke up to a wonderfully warm and sunny day. So, I packed up the bike basket, loaded the bike on the back of my little car, with "Explore The South Bay by Bike" in hand, and headed to the ocean. Today's adventure really sums up all of the reasons I love Northern California. I took the Freeway - California Freeways STILL amaze me! - went to a bakery, rode my bike through the mountains and the ocean in the same day, went to a produce shop to by pears, and found a cute little gift shop called Three Little Birds. I am constantly thrilled by seeing new things, and going places I've never been before. Here's my day in Aptos, California. 

The Pacific Ocean! I am currently reading Flyboys, by James Bradley (who also wrote Flags of Our Fathers), in which he writes, "If all the world's landmasses were placed in the Pacific, there would still be room left over for an additional Africa, Canada, United States, and Mexico." It's amazing to live by such a great ocean. 

The view from the road...

On the beach...

Knitting on a pier, overlooking the Pacific. While I was sitting on the bench, this woman walks past and says to her friend, "I can't imagine a better place to knit." And I couldn't agree with her more.

Franz, by road bike, all rigged up. Usually, I can carry enough stuff in my jersey pockets (phone, Driver's License, keys) but today, I wanted to carry a little more. I knew I'd end up on the beach, so I packed an Asian Pear, my knitting, and some crackers. Lucky for me, my bike basket, that usually lives on my townie bike fits perfectly between the bars on my road bike. Needless to say, got a few hoots and hollers from other riders, wishing they had rigged their bikes up too. Love it.

Gayle's Bakery in Capitola. A Peach and Ollalieberry Galette. Lovely. 

And a Peanut Butter Cookie! I adore Peanut Butter Cookies. Especially like this one...crumbly, crunchy...rolled in sugar...yummy.

Things in the cute home decorating store Three Little Birds. This was a big ol dead tree, covers in little knitted sleeves. So cute! And a great use for scrap yarns that don't necessarily need to match..

This really beautiful window-turned-shadow box, with the house and flowers all made from paper..so pretty. 

The ride home. 

Cheers.