Just a few of the sand dollars collected at Zmudowski State Beach
It wasn’t the trip we anticipated. Our goal was to travel to the coast and take in the Santa Cruz Beach and Board Walk along with a tour of UC Santa Cruz for my son. While both of those destinations are nice, we were pretty underwhelmed once we got there.
Silver lining of a wrong turn
Fortunately, I took a wrong turn heading to the campus and we ended up in the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Since it looked too good to pass up we decide to take a short hike. Shortly into the hike we realized we were walking next to the train tracks of the Roaring Camp Railroads. This particular line took a train all the way into Santa Cruz.
We were enjoying a pleasant hike when we stumbled upon a rare albino redwood growing next to the tracks. My son knew immediately what is was. You always hope to stumble across something unique and out of the ordinary while hiking, and occasionally it does happen.
Finding treasures on the beach
Actually, this trip was filled with lots of “side lights” while our original destinations were kind of dim. We had a great time at Zmudowski State Beach picking up sand dollars while my son rode his skim board on the waves. Zmudowski is on the list of State Parks to be closed as of June 2012. Like a beacon to vegetarians, we had to stop at the giant artichoke in Castroville. The deep fried artichokes hearts dipped in ranch dressing were a nice snack after the beach.
Of course, we also discovered Mission San Juan Bautista, Casa de Fruta and a couple cool restaurants. Overall it reminded me that it is not the destination that’s important, it’s the trip and the side roads that can provide the most education and entertainment.
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The beauty of a dried artichoke showing the neon purple color of its thistle flowers.
Big redwood tree with a fork at Henry Cowell Redwoods
Cafe Brazil is a popular breakfast spot for Santa Cruz locals.
Railroad bridge over San Lorenzo River.
Brussel sprout harvester on the road to Zmudowski State Beach.
Brussel sprout in a large farm field on the coast.
Just who design the brussel sprouts to grow on stalks?
Modern/Mission style farm/coast house next to Zmudowski State Beach
Yes, I could live here among the farm fields on the coast.
Deep fried artichoke heart dipped in ranch dressing. They taste better than they look.
Walking the tracks in Henry Cowell State Park.
The beacon for artichoke lovers in Castroville.
Organic strawberry field. Good for you Lakeside Organic Gardens.
Malabar vegetarian restaurant. The food was outstanding. I assume the lack of personality on the part of the staff is part of their style?
We stayed at the Pasitiempo Inn, an older mid century modern design that is similar to the design of how house. Post and beam with clerestory windows.
I don’t think we were suppose to walk across the RR bridge when I saw the pedestrian bridge below.
Pedestrian bridge across the San Lorenzo River.
Track leading to the RR bridge.
Hikers and bikers on the trail.
Rare albino redwood growth at the base of the tree.
Blue sky, clouds, looming redwoods and a railroad bridge, what could be better on a hike?
Just a few of the sand dollars collected at Zmudowski State Beach
Art at UC Santa Cruz, maybe a wing, but it reminds me of a type of spring or tensioner.
Skim boarding at Zmudowski State Beach.
Young family that decided not to cross the RR bridge, smart move.
Strawberry fields forever on the coast.
You never know what sort of troll will pop out of a hollow redwood stump.
