Tourist Time: Part 2

A very satisfying day Monday. Dropped off a couple of shawms with their maker in Menlo Park for a tune-up then meandered up over the hills to get to Hwy 1. Parked at one of the many little state beaches and did a bunch of wandering around in the sand and surf, poking at pretty rocks and shells. Hiked up to the top of a cliff and tried to identify all sorts of flora. Then we drove casually down the coast a bit and had lunch at a taqueria in Pescadero. On to Año Nuevo beach and hiked out to the elephant seal viewing area. Then on to Santa Cruz where we met ritaxis for dinner on the pier, viewing sea lions, and a brief walking tour of bits along the way. (There was also the episode with the ticks. It seems that a number of ticks had decided to come along for the ride at some point in our hiking. I didn't manage to get any, but the guests were thoroughly icked out.)

Now I'm back at work and the houseguests are off with my car to Mendocino for a couple days. Next on the tourist agenda will be a Saturday morning excursion on the Oakland-SF ferry to see the bay and go to the SF ferry building farmer's market. If anybody'd like to join us, either for the ferry ride or just for the farmer's market stroll, let me know so we can coordinate.