Sunrise in Santa Cruz

Few things will make me excited for a 5am alarm, but...

A sunrise trip to Santa Cruz to tag along with actual photographer friends definitely fit the bill. I blissfully iPhone-pictured my way through the lovely (cold) morning while they did their legit photography shenanigans.

The last photo is my most favorite. I stood on part of a fence to make it happen. I really like the photos I got last time I went to Santa Cruz, too. I think that place might be magic. (Actually, I know it is because they sell Pineapple Dole Whip on the boardwalk. So, win.)

a thursday adventure to santa cruz

My new roommate is nearing the end of her funemployment days because of that whole "start working at Google" thing next Monday. So on Thursday she said, "Let's go on an adventure!"

The day included a drive to the coast, climbing over a small fence, traipsing through a historic ranch, observing sea cliffs and sea lions, lounging in a secluded beach cove, eating tacos that rocked my world (you know I don't say that lightly), finding Pineapple Dole Whip on a magical boardwalk, and riding an old wooden rollercoaster on said boardwalk. Conclusion: my roommate knows how to adventure.

The coast is breathtaking. The icy wind, the salt in the air and the lush growth along the cliffs. The boardwalk and kites and the smell of corn dogs and kettle corn. The farmland and forest and seashore all in the same breath. While my heart is probably still in Arizona, I think my soul has always known it needs the ocean.

Throwback to my last coastal adventure, when I was a wild child.