Santa Cruz

While we were waiting for a weather window.......we decided to sail up to Santa Cruz which is on the north side of the Monterey Bay.  Paddy said I would like it and he was right.  I would like Santa Cruz because........it has an AMUSEMENT park - oh boy!

 

In my baby photo album is a picture of me in this exact same boat! 

Knew I'd end up on the water one way or another.

 

 Classic wooden roller coaster.  Don't you think a man who has traveled around the world by land and by sea would go with me on this??????  But no, he's a scaredy cat!

 

I have never seen a baby sea gull.....they have spots!

 

The next day we are finally venturing off to our final destination............at least for a while.  We are greeted by a beautiful sunrise as we enter the San Francisco Bay.

 

 

 YEAH -  The Golden Gate Bridge.  "San Francisco, open your golden gates.....la, la, la"

 

 Go under the bridge and make a left to Sausalito.  This is our view of this adorable charming city.

Looks very European.

 

 Celebration champagne for the crew - yippee....

 

Turn your head to the left and we can see the San Francisco skyline and Alcatraz.

 

Another reunion for Paddy - he and Mark went to high school together in Oregon City. 

Mark and his wife Wendy live high above the clouds in Oakland. 

Dinner was awesome on the deck.

 

Guess what?  This is what a fog bank looks like.

I'm presently visiting family and friends in Florida for 2 weeks and will return to Paddy and

Le Chat Beaute' on July 26th. 

 

Thanks for following my adventures.  I'm having a ball!  xox Q

Monterey, California

 

 

Next Stop Monterey!

 

 

Heading from Los Angeles west first, then north, we passed some interesting places and many brought back favorite memories for me during my years in California.

 

After sailing by Malibu, we continued west past the Channel Islands (in the background) and several oil rigs.  They actually "dot" the coast towards Santa Barbara.

 

 

A rainbow literally off the starboard stern.  What a surprise early in the morning.

 Facts:  The City of Monterey in Monterey County is located on the southern edge of Monterey Bay, on Central California's Pacific coast.  Monterey was the capital of Alta California from 1777 to 1846 under both Spain and Mexico. It was the only port of entry for taxable goods in California. In 1846 the U.S. flag was raised over the Customs House, and California was claimed for the United States.
The city had California's first theatre, public building, public library, publicly funded school, printing press, and newspaper. The city and surrounding area have attracted artists since the late 19th century and many celebrated painters and writers have lived there. Some notable residents were Clint Eastwood, Lou Hoover (Pres. Hoover's wife), Leon Panetta, John Steinbeck, and Frank Zappa.  Until the 1950s, there was an abundant fishery.
Among Monterey's notable present-day attractions are the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman's Wharf and the annual Monterey Jazz Festival which began in 1958.

                                                 A statute of a sardine fisherman

 

 

Great architecture!  Love the detail.

 

 

Paddy worked here in the 80's at this hotel with this lovely woodwork.

Cannery Row - bridges over the road enabled the cannery employees to gather their fish crop on the wharf side and take across the street for processing.

 

 

My old favorite friend...................chocolate!

 

 

We visited the famous aquarium.....it was very impressive.

 

 

I fell in love with the jellies......especially since they are on the other side of the glass!

 

 

Cute lil hammerhead - OMG!

Kate - these photos are for you!

 

Just up the coast is Santa Cruz.....................