Archive for September, 2008
We are off to our favorite place on the San Mateo Coast – Franklin Point. Let’s hope it is not fog bound this time. According to the weather forecast, it looks as though Santa Cruz will be clear and bright but there is fog at Half Moon Bay. Franklin Point is between the two, so we will just have to take a chance.
(Click on the image for a larger version)
The journey to Santa Cruz was more or less mundane until we were headed down the mountain on the other side of Scotts Valley on Highway 17. Suddenly I saw a car on the other side of the road fly into the air and crash into the trees at the side of the road. Tom saw the dust but not the car. I was really shaken up but there was nothing we could do as there was a concrete barrier down the middle of the road. I looked behind and there were cars stopping so knew someone would be calling 911. I just couldn’t get the image out of my mind and was really concerned about the driver and any passengers there may have been in the car. I knew I would be worrying all day.
We drove into Santa Cruz for breakfast – see previous entry – and were back on the road again by 7.40. Our route took us back to Highway 1 where we turned north.
Just outside Santa Cruz we saw signs up warning of a bike race and soon we saw the cyclists. We passed a lot of them between Santa Cruz and Davenport. Most of them were serious competitors with their super bikes, Lycra gear, cool shades and space age helmets. Some were making light work of the hills and some seemed to be struggling. At the front of the cyclists were three motor cycle cops. I wonder how far they are going.
It must be getting close to October and the pumpkin season. We passed several pumpkin patches being made ready. In one there was already a huge display of pumpkins all waiting to be picked out by excited children, although, of course, it was not open at 8 a.m.
Oh no! We can see fog ahead. This looks like a repeat of our aborted visit last month when the weather was too bad to even walk to the beach. Maybe it will clear – always the optimist.
We stop at Big Basin Redwoods State Park where the redwoods come all the way down to the coast. Tom wanted to take photos of the fog over the creek and maybe the brown pelicans taking a rest in the lagoon on the beach. I stay in the car and write.
Here the sun is shining which is really weird as we are surrounded by fog. Out on the ocean I can vaguely see the die hard surfers waiting patiently to catch a wave. The sea doesn’t look high today so maybe they are just beginners.
Tom has now left the creek and has made his way across Highway 1 to the lagoon. There are several pelicans on the water but now dozens are on the sand and more fly in to join them. I guess this must be their meeting place every morning where they catch up with all the gossip.
I’ve been siting here 15 minutes and here come the three motor cycle cops and not far behind the first two cyclists appear. I guess we are going to have a bit of trouble getting away from here. Tom is making his way back to the car. Maybe we can get away before the bulk of them arrive. I can’t see any more coming at the moment. We were able to make our escape. As we turned back onto the road I could see a few cyclists coming down the hill behind us.
We pass Costanoa and pull into the parking strip near the tree stump., There is one van already there and three surfers are getting ready to walk to the beach. As I get out of the car I can smell the sea. Mmmm.
I set off first. Yes it is foggy but it is not as bad or as cold as the last time so we decided to go for it. At the top first rise I paused as I could see on the path ahead a mother deer and her young fawn. Both lifted their heads and looked at me. I would have waited until they decided to move away but at that moment two of the surfers come by. The two deer trotted off down the path and I never saw them again.
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September 12 2008 | Special Places | No Comments »
We’ve decided to be a bit more adventurous in our choice of where to eat breakfast in Santa Cruz. In the past we have always stopped at the Santa Cruz Diner. We did try somewhere different last time – the Nuevo Southwest Grill – so this time we went on online to find somewhere new. There was quite a choice. As we were going to be there by 7 a.m. we wanted to find one that opened early. Seabreeze Cafe on Seabright Avenue filled the bill.
It opened at 7 and we were there at about 6.50. We stayed in the car; Tom started to read the paper and I observed. The Seabreeze Cafe looks as though it has been around for some time. No way it could be called pretentious. Better adjectives would be homely and welcoming. Out the front were potted plants and along the side a veranda with hanging baskets and benches. There was a table already set up with coffee pots and a sign saying to bring your mug inside for it to be added to the bill. There was already one customer waiting.
The doors opened before 7 and by the time we walked in there were already three other tables occupied. Inside it is very small. No booths, just wooden table and chairs. It is a very friendly place and everybody seems to know each other.
Service was quick. In the twinkling of an eye Tom had his coffee. It was served in a white mug with the name of the cafe on the outside along with their logo. The menu is not very large but there is a board up on the wall with specials. Tom was tossing up whether to have Huevos Rancheros or the grilled mahi mahi with eggs. He went for the former ($8.95) and I ordered the oatmeal with raisins, nuts and bananas ($4.50).
Nothing about this place is what I would call modern. I wouldn’t call it retro or old fashioned either. The description I would use would be dated and quaint. There are a number of photos on the wall that look as if they were taken in Death Valley.
Our food arrived shortly, so not much time for writing. Tom’s plate was fall to overflowing. On top were slices of avocado. As Tom doesn’t care for avocados, I took them off his plate and enjoyed them.
My oatmeal came in a round bowl on an oval plate. The sugar was in a plastic container on the plate as was a small stainless jug of milk. A slice of orange and a sprig of parsley were added as decoration. The raisins and nuts were cooked in the oatmeal and it looked like a whole banana had been sliced on the top. It was hot and delicious. Tom also enjoyed his Huevos Rancheros.
The restroom was outside. Always a bit dubious of those but this one was pretty good. It was bright, clean and the water was hot. On the wall was a cork board covered in postcards from all over the world sent by customers on their vacations. I sat and read a few to see how old they were. The oldest was dated 2005 and the latest was April this year. Wished I could have read more but conscious this was the only restroom and there might be people waiting outside.
Our verdict – the food and service is first class and we recommend it. Two words of warning – the car park is small and it is difficult to get out of, so park on the street if possible. Also get there early. When we left at 7.40 the place was packed and people were waiting outside.
September 08 2008 | Breakfast Log | No Comments »
It was 4.30 in the morning and we were on our way. We must be mad to be on the road so early, especially on Labor Day. We listened to the 4.30 news and our thoughts are with the people of new Orleans, who are bracing themselves for Hurricane Gustav to hit in a couple of hours. 90% of the residents have been evacuated, which must have been quite an operation.
(Click on the image for a larger version)
The weather here promises to be clear but there was a wind advisory for Sacramento. The wind tends to be quite strong at Point Reyes, so we must be prepared.
It is pitch black outside but I’m able to write because of my nifty pen. It is called ‘The Pilot’s Pen’ and great for writing in the dark as it has a built in light.
Just before 5.30 we draw up outside Peets on Geary in the city. The lights are on but the door is locked. We could see the baristas inside but were not sure what time they opened. If it’s 6, should we wait around for our last chance to get a decent cup of coffee? Our dilemma was solved when the door was unlocked and we were able to go inside. We spent half an hour enjoying our coffee, honey bran muffin and the paper.
As we crossed the Golden Gate Bridge at just after 6 am, it is still dark but there is no fog. We could see Alcatraz and Angel Islands and copuld vaguely make out Oakland across the Bay. Looking back over my shoulder I could see the famous skyline of San Francisco. The next time we will cross will be in two weeks when we will be with our friends Viv and Tom from England. They are coming for a three week road trip to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, Death Valley and Yosemite. Then they will spend a couple more days with us before flying home. We plan to take them on a day trip to Healdsburg and the Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys on September 22.
After crossing the bridge, we took Sir Francis Drake Blvd through San Anselmo, Farifax and up to Olema. The sun is beginning to peep above the hill so I turn the light off on my pen to save the battery. I must say it is a real pleasure to be out and about on the roads with very little traffic around. Not only do we make very good time but we get to enjoy the scenery more without being stuck behind smelly vehicles and slow moving trucks. The wonderful scenery with views of open countryside, forested slopes and rounded hills plus the smell of eucalyptus is invigorating.
As usual I kept my eyes open for wildlife. You just never know what you may see. I was reminded of something we were told on Saturday. Tom and I met up with friends Cindy and Tim. We had a lovely meal at Tanglewood on Santana Row. During the meal Tim related a recent close encounter with a mountain lion. He was driving alone in his 30 year old Mercedes convertible with the roof down on the Pescadero to San Gregorio Stage Coach Road. About half way along, on a secluded stretch, he rounded a corner and suddenly came across an adult male mountain lion at the side of the road. It was stationary, with his back legs up on the steep bank and his front legs on the roadway. Tim stopped, not knowing what to do. At first he was so excited to come eyeball to eyeball with such a magnificent creature, the first he had ever seen, but then the reality hit him. Here he was, almost within touching distance of a lion, motionless and sitting in an open topped car. The lion turned and walked back up the hill and then stopped and turned back. Tim drove slowly ahead, not wanting to frighten the creature but anxious to get away safely. He felt extremely vulnerable, half expecting the lion to launch himself into the car.
Driving through the San Geronimo Valley, it looks a little foggy ahead. It doesn’t look too bad but, of course, it could get worse.
Point Reyes is a huge protected wildlife area. At the southern end there are many trails and remote beaches;
to the left a long drive to the Point Reyes Lighthouse (read about our visit back in January this year) and to the north is Pierce Point Ranch and the spectacular trail to Tomales Point. Today we had two options – the above mentioned Tomales Point hike or the trail from Shell Beach to Pebble Beach. Due to the wind warning, we decided to take the latter option. We have seen wild boars, turkeys, a couple of bobcats and even a tarantulas on our travels but never a mountain lion. It would be great to see one but at a safe distance and certainly not in an open topped car.
At Olema, we turn right and drive along Highway 1for a short distance before turning left towards Inverness. We drive alongside the mudflats at the southern end of Tomales Bay . A wispy fog hovers over the surface of the water.
In Inverness we pull in behind The Inverness Store, which is opposite the small post office, and park. We always stop here. Stuck in the mud a short distance away is an old 50′ wooden fishing boat. Still discernible on the bow is the name ’Point Reyes’. It is slowly disintegrating and sinking into the sand and mud. Over the years we have watched it become more and more dilapidated. There is a footpath which takes you all the way to the boat. It is even possible to jump across a small creek and get right up to the boat. Tom took lots of photos and I just admired the view. It was so peaceful there and it was such a lovely morning.
We did avail ourselves of the portapotty – probably our last chance for a few hours. These out houses can be pretty gruesome but, though full, it wasn’t too bad. At least it had water, soap, paper towels and even hand sanitizer.
About a mile north of Inverness we took a sharp right hand turn on Camino Del Mar. There are no signs telling you there is beach access but at the end of the road is a small car park for Shell Beach and the beginning of the Johnstone Trail. From here you can walk to Shell Beach – 0.5 km, Pebble Beach – 6.4 km, Hearts Desire Beach – 7.0 km and Indian Beach 7.8 km. All the way to Indian Beach and back is a 10 mile hike. The trail is open from 8 am until 8 pm.
It was just before 8 and there were no other cars about. The first part of the trail is an easy descent to the beach. Shell Beach is tiny and was deserted. Just offshore is a small raft. Tom remembered swimming out to it one day in his youth with a couple of mates. As they lay and sat about on the raft, one of them mentioned that something large had brushed against his leg on the way out. Speculation amongst the three of them came to the conclusion it was a shark and they recounted shark stories for the next half hour. Tom said the swim back to the beach was far longer than the way out and he was relieved when his feet eventually felt solid ground under him.
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September 05 2008 | Special Places | No Comments »
Station House Cafe is another one of our favorite eating places. Normally we stop here for lunch. Today
though, at 10.45, it will be brunch so, technically, I can include it as a breakfast blog. As it is Labor Day the cafe opened at 8 a.m. and served breakfast until 3.30 p.m.
(Click the image for a larger version)
We asked for a table outside in the shade and that is just what we got. Almost touching the table were the branches of a large shrub with sharp thorns. The hostess promptly went to find a pair of pruners and cut back the branches. How’s that for service?
What a glorious day to sit outside. There are 15 two seater wrought iron tables and chairs and five marble topped tables for 4 with wrought iron chairs. In the middle is a large shady arbor covered with vegetation. Umbrellas shade the rest of the tables. There is a small fountain and pool but there are no fish in the water, just coins. Around the outside of the patio are many flowering shrubs and rose bushes. It is a very popular restaurant and there are very few empty tables.
Hey, they do oatmeal so, of course, I ordered that. I chose a bowl with nuts and raisins for $4.75. I could have ordered a cup for less. Tom ordered corn beef hash ($9.95). All the fish served here is local and wild caught and the beef is from Niman Ranch.
My writing was brought to a conclusion by the timely arrival of our food. My oatmeal came in a small, deep bowl on a large plate. There was a mountain of oatmeal, rising at least half and inch above the top of the bowl; hence it was far from runny. Also on the plate were three small stainless steel bowls; one with brown sugar, one with golden raisins and one with walnuts. The milk came in a mid size glass and was warm and frothy. The only drawback though was in trying to pour it over the oatmeal. I tried dribbling it slowly but it made a mess. Tom was all for tipping it up quickly. The problem with that method was the lack of space in the bowl due to the generous amount of oatmeal and he made a mess as well. A jug would have caused no problems at all. It was good oatmeal though.
Tom thoroughly enjoyed his corn beef hash and sourdough toast. His eggs were done to perfection. He asked for over medium and they came with crispy white edges and runny yolks. For the rest of the day he waxed lyrical about them. The hash was also extremely tasty with large pieces of corn beef, cubed potatoes, onions and peppers. Tom normally orders English muffin but today he had he had his favorite toast – sourdough. I guess that is because he was brought up with it. I don’t like the taste and particularly dislike the crusty outside which scrapes the roof of my mouth.
Note from Tom – Margaret, you are now a US citizen and especially a Northern California citizen. You must learn to like sourdough. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.
Almost forgot my visit to the restroom but it was really boring. Not one touch of decoration inside at all. The water eventually ran hot but I almost gave up. Right next to the restroom is a small, separate area, obviously used for private parties. I took a look around while waiting to use the restroom and admired the black and white photos of Point Reyes on the walls. The photographer was Marty Knapp, who is a well known resident of Point Reyes. He has a showroom further down the street from the cafe on the opposite side.
Our verdict – great food, wonderful surroundings and at $15.84 quite reasonable as well. We can heartily recommend the Station House Cafe.
September 01 2008 | Breakfast Log | No Comments »
We are off to our favorite place on the San Mateo Coast – Franklin Point. Let’s hope it is not fog bound this time. According to the weather forecast, it looks as though Santa Cruz will be clear and bright but there is fog at Half Moon Bay. Franklin Point is between the two, so we will just have to take a chance.
