Today we checked out of the hotel in Watsonville and headed up to do the harbor walk in Santa Cruz. It's a totally residential area with a paved harbor/cliff walk along the ocean. I can't imagine getting to live like this! The houses were mostly normal sized, some bigger than others, but you got the sense that it was a real neighborhood. People were walking their dogs, tons of people surfing and paddle surfing (hadn't seen that before, they basically stand on a surf board and used paddles to move).
We drove for awhile and stopped off in Half Moon Bay to get some lunch. It was a really cute place with a cute main street. We had a great lunch, one of the better meals we have had on the trip. After we were refueled, we drove up to San Francisco and returned our Kia Spectra...smoothe transaction overall.
We stayed at the Marriott on 4th street right off of Market, which is the main street through town. If I cared about shopping on the trip, this would have been a great location. Right next to a huge shopping mall but a mall is a mall. Oh, before I forget, we saw avocados being sold in a Walgreens. We got the hotel on priceline for $112/night and upgraded $20 night to get into a room with a city view and on the 31st floor. The room was absolutely huge, had a huge walk in closet, huge king sized bed, two huge windows (one with a quasi seating area) that looked out to the city.
We got settled in and walked around a bit before having dinner in our hotel, we were too tired to venture far outside and didn't see anything for restaurants except for fast food. Oh, another interstig point, many of the places we ate it did not serve french fries but rather bean salad or a cold salad or cole slaw.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Day 5
Today we headed to Santa Cruz. This was a great town!! I was really convinced there was not much to do here but M proved me wrong. There were so many things to do, we actually went back again.
We started the day by parking (for free!) in a municipal lot down by UC Santa Cruz. It felt sort of like Church Street in Burlington with a focus on surfing and not snowboarding. There were some interesting street gentlemen...all very hairy and bearded, some walking, some riding bikes, several playing a flute. It was...interesting. We walked from downtown to the wharf, walked to the end and saw sea lions basking down below the pier. From there we headed to the Boardwalk which was much bigger and more extravagant than I thought. It seemed to go on forever, it was the kind of thing I really didn't think existed anymore. Rides for older kids, rides for little kids, tons of food, arcades, carnival games. There was so much to do that none of the rides were very long. This was right along the beach and there were soccer fields and volleyball courts on the sand and tons of people playing. There was also a stage set up, every Friday night a band plays live on the beach.
We headed back to the hotel and quickly got bored of sitting there, so we decided to see what was north of Santa Cruz to Davenport (very very small town, possibly only consisting of one street). Along the way, there were random turn outs with cars parked but no people. Finally we figured out that these were turn offs for beaches, really felt like only the locals would know about these and they wouldn't be over run with people. Not that any of them were, there were so many beaches all over the place none was overly packed. We pulled over and found a quasi path, not paved, just rocks and climbed over this dune to reveal one of the most stunning views ever. I felt like I was in Star Wars or on the Moon. It looked like a giant crater, with huge crashing waves and a cove. We stumbled down the other side of the dune, bad day for wearing flip flops. It was super super windy and cold down there and only a smattering of people. M says to me,'Um, I think this might be a nude beach.' I said, 'Well what gives you that idea'. He tells me to turn around and I see a nude man walking around in the cove area and someone else lying on the sand with nary a stitch on. We later found out that this is a sanctioned nude beach, we weren't sure at the time if it was something impromptu. We stayed for awhile then skedaddled up the hill.
From there, we turned off into another state park beach called New Brighton. This was more of a family beach area. We read and relaxed for awhile and then decided to mosey on back to the hotel for some dinner and relaxing.
We started the day by parking (for free!) in a municipal lot down by UC Santa Cruz. It felt sort of like Church Street in Burlington with a focus on surfing and not snowboarding. There were some interesting street gentlemen...all very hairy and bearded, some walking, some riding bikes, several playing a flute. It was...interesting. We walked from downtown to the wharf, walked to the end and saw sea lions basking down below the pier. From there we headed to the Boardwalk which was much bigger and more extravagant than I thought. It seemed to go on forever, it was the kind of thing I really didn't think existed anymore. Rides for older kids, rides for little kids, tons of food, arcades, carnival games. There was so much to do that none of the rides were very long. This was right along the beach and there were soccer fields and volleyball courts on the sand and tons of people playing. There was also a stage set up, every Friday night a band plays live on the beach.
We headed back to the hotel and quickly got bored of sitting there, so we decided to see what was north of Santa Cruz to Davenport (very very small town, possibly only consisting of one street). Along the way, there were random turn outs with cars parked but no people. Finally we figured out that these were turn offs for beaches, really felt like only the locals would know about these and they wouldn't be over run with people. Not that any of them were, there were so many beaches all over the place none was overly packed. We pulled over and found a quasi path, not paved, just rocks and climbed over this dune to reveal one of the most stunning views ever. I felt like I was in Star Wars or on the Moon. It looked like a giant crater, with huge crashing waves and a cove. We stumbled down the other side of the dune, bad day for wearing flip flops. It was super super windy and cold down there and only a smattering of people. M says to me,'Um, I think this might be a nude beach.' I said, 'Well what gives you that idea'. He tells me to turn around and I see a nude man walking around in the cove area and someone else lying on the sand with nary a stitch on. We later found out that this is a sanctioned nude beach, we weren't sure at the time if it was something impromptu. We stayed for awhile then skedaddled up the hill.
From there, we turned off into another state park beach called New Brighton. This was more of a family beach area. We read and relaxed for awhile and then decided to mosey on back to the hotel for some dinner and relaxing.
Day 4
Today we did the 17 mile drive starting in Carmel. It costs $9 to do the drive, it's quite a sight to see. I think that I preferred the Big Sur drive...that was truly nature at it's best. The 17 mile drive was pretty but was more focused on the opulence of the homes along the drive and the gold courses. If you want shock factor, I would go for the Big Sur drive instead.
After we got back, we stopped in Carmel By The Sea. It was cute, typical tourist type shops kicked up a notch. It sort of looked like an Old English village. We walked down the hill to the beach and watched some surfers for awhile.
We headed to our hotel in Watsonville...we were trying to save a little cash after staying in Carmel and Monterey. Watsonville was inland and a big agriculatural center. The hotel itself was clean but was kind of in a sketchy area, the kind of area where we felt like we should park the car in a well lit area. There was little to do in Watsonville, so we headed north up to Santa Cruz and Capitola. Capitola was another beach town, this one had a more blue collar feel. There was a main street with typical beach stores on it, we had a way too expensive dinner at a Mexican restaurant. Nothing special but fun to sit right on the water.
After we got back, we stopped in Carmel By The Sea. It was cute, typical tourist type shops kicked up a notch. It sort of looked like an Old English village. We walked down the hill to the beach and watched some surfers for awhile.
We headed to our hotel in Watsonville...we were trying to save a little cash after staying in Carmel and Monterey. Watsonville was inland and a big agriculatural center. The hotel itself was clean but was kind of in a sketchy area, the kind of area where we felt like we should park the car in a well lit area. There was little to do in Watsonville, so we headed north up to Santa Cruz and Capitola. Capitola was another beach town, this one had a more blue collar feel. There was a main street with typical beach stores on it, we had a way too expensive dinner at a Mexican restaurant. Nothing special but fun to sit right on the water.
Observations
Before I forget, I wanted to jot down some things I noticed in Cali
- Lots of white cars
- More VW Vangabonds than I have ever seen
- People walking around Santa Cruz with surf boards
- Warning signs on many buildings stating that there were known carcinogens in the building
- Sand dabs on menus...still don't know what they are
House Stuff
I'm interrupting the recounting of the trip to tell you that we closed on our house this morning. I was prepared for a much larger stack of papers from what people were telling me but it wasn't that bad.
We hauled some boxes up there in order to try to pare down our moving costs and brought up some cleaning things. The sellers left us a bottle of wine and a good luck note, we met them last night and they were very nice. The man was so proud of all his craftsmanship, the woman had to remind him that we already bought the place and he didn't need to keep trying to sell us on it.
We took pics of the place totally empty, brouht in our boxes and made a list of things (already) to get from Home Depot. We decided to replace the locks, we got a darker knob than they had. All of their fixtures, handles, knobs etc are gold so those are going to slowly be going. Of course, as I was taking inventory on exactly how many of these things we need to get, I also counted that for each door there were 3 hinges that would be required, because of course, those are all gold as well. So needless to say, this will be a slow process....
We also noticed that as we put on the new locks the knobs are just a smidge smaller, small enough to see that the sellers hadn't taken off the hardware when they painted and now there is a ring of white around the front door (it's painted blue) where the old knob outline used to be. We are going to try to find something that comes close enough for now, eventually we'll repaint the door since it's peeling in some areas and get new shutters. They have a medium blue up there now, it's not something I would have chosen...
We had our first visitors. Two gentlemen named Marco and Frencesco (9 and 8 respectively) who incessantly rang our doorbell. When I answered they asked where our children were and could they come out to play. They were crestfallen when I told them it was just me and M but stayed long enough to tell me that when we do have kids they should be careful playing in the streets because they aren't as safe as they used to be, that Marco used to have a parrot named Cuchi Cuchi who was naughty and his mom gave it up for adoption but then felt bad and got it back...there was something else but I forget...
We hauled some boxes up there in order to try to pare down our moving costs and brought up some cleaning things. The sellers left us a bottle of wine and a good luck note, we met them last night and they were very nice. The man was so proud of all his craftsmanship, the woman had to remind him that we already bought the place and he didn't need to keep trying to sell us on it.
We took pics of the place totally empty, brouht in our boxes and made a list of things (already) to get from Home Depot. We decided to replace the locks, we got a darker knob than they had. All of their fixtures, handles, knobs etc are gold so those are going to slowly be going. Of course, as I was taking inventory on exactly how many of these things we need to get, I also counted that for each door there were 3 hinges that would be required, because of course, those are all gold as well. So needless to say, this will be a slow process....
We also noticed that as we put on the new locks the knobs are just a smidge smaller, small enough to see that the sellers hadn't taken off the hardware when they painted and now there is a ring of white around the front door (it's painted blue) where the old knob outline used to be. We are going to try to find something that comes close enough for now, eventually we'll repaint the door since it's peeling in some areas and get new shutters. They have a medium blue up there now, it's not something I would have chosen...
We had our first visitors. Two gentlemen named Marco and Frencesco (9 and 8 respectively) who incessantly rang our doorbell. When I answered they asked where our children were and could they come out to play. They were crestfallen when I told them it was just me and M but stayed long enough to tell me that when we do have kids they should be careful playing in the streets because they aren't as safe as they used to be, that Marco used to have a parrot named Cuchi Cuchi who was naughty and his mom gave it up for adoption but then felt bad and got it back...there was something else but I forget...
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Day 3
So we got home last night, of course the flight was delayed. Actually we got home this morning at about 1am. Poor M is at work, I'm up trying to coerce the jet lag out of me because we have the closing tomorrow at 830am. The flight was uneventful once we were on it. M and I weren't seated together so I talked to the agent and he switched us around. Only he didn't. He reissued our boarding passes so it looked like we were seated next to each other but there was someone in M's seat...M got put back into his original seat. Oh well.
So my plan is to continue detailing what we did each day and adding the appropriate pics once I get them off of M's computer. There's some great ones!
Day 3
We travelled south from Carmel to the Big Sur area. Words really can't describe the views and I'm sure they won't translate as well into pictures. If you ever get a chance to do this drive, you will be happy you did. Words that come to mind are dramatic, breathtaking, ridiculously beautiful etc. Sweeping cliffs, crashing waves....it was amazing. There are tons of turn outs and you are expected to stop and take pictures. There are tons of state parks to stop at with hiking trails and beaches. We stopped at two...Pfeiffer State Park and Julia Pfeiffer-Burns State Park (we thought the first park was actually the second). We stopped at the first one and did a hiking trail through the redwoods. I have to say, the redwoods weren't gigantic like I had imagined. There were other parks that touted the redwoods more than this one, so maybe they were larger in other areas. Who knows. Interestingly, the trail we were on (and many others) were closed due to wild fires. The trees had been destroyed but hadn't been removed yet so it was unsafe to travel on the trails. We went to Julia Pfeiffer-Burns because the view was supposed to be unparalleled and indeed it was. It was absolutely incredibly...pictures coming soon. The site of the park was formerly the site of someone's home. She bequeathed the site to the state of California with the understanding that the home would be torn down and a public viewing area would be erected.
On the way back up, we stopped at Nepenthe which is literally on a cliff in the middle of Big Sur. They have a great patio area with a fire pit and lights strung up, the whole patio overlooks the ocean and crashing waves. The prices for the food go along with it. We're talking $20 salads here people, but it's the price you pay for the view I guess.
We got back from Big Sur and proceeded to Monterey Bay and checked into our room at the Intercontinental Clement Monterey which was right on Cannery Row aka the major touristy area. For once, we indulged and didn't take the cheap room. We stayed in room 303 which overlooked the ocean and had a balcony and a gas fireplace. It was very very nice but Monterey was not on the top of my list of places we saw. It felt a little too much like Downtown Disney, like it was a set of a California seaside town. A bit too touristy for us. We had a horrible Italian dinner that night at Linguine Louie's, very substandard for very touristy prices. That night, we had some local wine via travel candle light on our balcony while three teenagers got stoned on the board walk beneath us. Ah, Monterey.
Plan for tomorrow is to check into our next hotel in Watsonville (going back to our frugal ways) and check out the surrounding area then head up to Santa Cruz.
So my plan is to continue detailing what we did each day and adding the appropriate pics once I get them off of M's computer. There's some great ones!
Day 3
We travelled south from Carmel to the Big Sur area. Words really can't describe the views and I'm sure they won't translate as well into pictures. If you ever get a chance to do this drive, you will be happy you did. Words that come to mind are dramatic, breathtaking, ridiculously beautiful etc. Sweeping cliffs, crashing waves....it was amazing. There are tons of turn outs and you are expected to stop and take pictures. There are tons of state parks to stop at with hiking trails and beaches. We stopped at two...Pfeiffer State Park and Julia Pfeiffer-Burns State Park (we thought the first park was actually the second). We stopped at the first one and did a hiking trail through the redwoods. I have to say, the redwoods weren't gigantic like I had imagined. There were other parks that touted the redwoods more than this one, so maybe they were larger in other areas. Who knows. Interestingly, the trail we were on (and many others) were closed due to wild fires. The trees had been destroyed but hadn't been removed yet so it was unsafe to travel on the trails. We went to Julia Pfeiffer-Burns because the view was supposed to be unparalleled and indeed it was. It was absolutely incredibly...pictures coming soon. The site of the park was formerly the site of someone's home. She bequeathed the site to the state of California with the understanding that the home would be torn down and a public viewing area would be erected.
On the way back up, we stopped at Nepenthe which is literally on a cliff in the middle of Big Sur. They have a great patio area with a fire pit and lights strung up, the whole patio overlooks the ocean and crashing waves. The prices for the food go along with it. We're talking $20 salads here people, but it's the price you pay for the view I guess.
We got back from Big Sur and proceeded to Monterey Bay and checked into our room at the Intercontinental Clement Monterey which was right on Cannery Row aka the major touristy area. For once, we indulged and didn't take the cheap room. We stayed in room 303 which overlooked the ocean and had a balcony and a gas fireplace. It was very very nice but Monterey was not on the top of my list of places we saw. It felt a little too much like Downtown Disney, like it was a set of a California seaside town. A bit too touristy for us. We had a horrible Italian dinner that night at Linguine Louie's, very substandard for very touristy prices. That night, we had some local wine via travel candle light on our balcony while three teenagers got stoned on the board walk beneath us. Ah, Monterey.
Plan for tomorrow is to check into our next hotel in Watsonville (going back to our frugal ways) and check out the surrounding area then head up to Santa Cruz.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Carmel!
Finally, a vacation! M and I have been in need for non stressful environs..we have a lot of stuff going on. I booked this vacation way back when I was super duper stressed out during my previous semester of school, the semester wasn't overly stressful I just got incredibly sick of juggling my job with school clinical requirements. In my desperation, I decided to use my frequent flyer ticket for a vacation instead of a trip home. And finally, today was the day.
We flew out around 11am, flight was on time and got to SF around 230pm. We managed to get the rental car via taxi just fine, followed by a 2 hour very non scenic drive to Carmel. We realized a bit too late that we missed our chance to get on the scenic route and decided to save that for our trip back.
Tonight we are the Quail Lodge which is on a golf course..pictures to follow. We just ate at one of their restaurants called Edgar's..M thought it was the caliber of Not Your Average Joe's but I thought mine was better. He had the roast chicken pepperdelle with morrel mushrooms, pan seared salmon for yours truly. One regret at the restaurant, opted to sit right next to the fireplace, left side of body, cool as a cucumber. Right side, dripping with sweat, skin pink. Mental note, do not overzealously ask to take the seat right next to the fire place again. Above are pics from the Quail Lodge...
We flew out around 11am, flight was on time and got to SF around 230pm. We managed to get the rental car via taxi just fine, followed by a 2 hour very non scenic drive to Carmel. We realized a bit too late that we missed our chance to get on the scenic route and decided to save that for our trip back.
Tonight we are the Quail Lodge which is on a golf course..pictures to follow. We just ate at one of their restaurants called Edgar's..M thought it was the caliber of Not Your Average Joe's but I thought mine was better. He had the roast chicken pepperdelle with morrel mushrooms, pan seared salmon for yours truly. One regret at the restaurant, opted to sit right next to the fireplace, left side of body, cool as a cucumber. Right side, dripping with sweat, skin pink. Mental note, do not overzealously ask to take the seat right next to the fire place again. Above are pics from the Quail Lodge...
Tomorrow the plan is to go on the 17 mile drive which is along the coast. I am really excited to take some great pictures and see how the other half lives....
Time to break into the mini bar. ......
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Knitting News
I am waist high in boxes right now and can't finagle a pic of the baby blanket I'm making, but trust me, it's 90% done. I've decided to give it to my coworker on the advice of another coworker and save the cute sheep cardigan for A.
Pics of both eventually...
Pics of both eventually...
Monday, June 8, 2009
Ughhh!
Today was an incredibly frustrating day...all of these things happening all at once
Boigie's home glucose curve went awry, we were trying to save some money by doing it ourselves at home. After the second reading, he was too low and had to go to the vet where they put in fluids via IV and checked various blood tests. Unfortunately, they sent him home to us stil his IV in place, so M insisted on bringing him back even though I told him removing them from people is no big thing. It's stressful for the little guy to go back and forth in the carrier but M was worried that he would bleed too much and squirm away and we wouldn't be able to stop it. The vet is calling tomorrow, M asked that we be compensated on our $366 vet bill in some way.
We are being monitored at work. Nuff said.
I had to deal with interest rate lock issues with the bank all day.
M then had to rush off to band practice, I unwinded with a glass of wine and some knitting. Pictures coming soon, when can I breathe.
Boigie's home glucose curve went awry, we were trying to save some money by doing it ourselves at home. After the second reading, he was too low and had to go to the vet where they put in fluids via IV and checked various blood tests. Unfortunately, they sent him home to us stil his IV in place, so M insisted on bringing him back even though I told him removing them from people is no big thing. It's stressful for the little guy to go back and forth in the carrier but M was worried that he would bleed too much and squirm away and we wouldn't be able to stop it. The vet is calling tomorrow, M asked that we be compensated on our $366 vet bill in some way.
We are being monitored at work. Nuff said.
I had to deal with interest rate lock issues with the bank all day.
M then had to rush off to band practice, I unwinded with a glass of wine and some knitting. Pictures coming soon, when can I breathe.
Weekend in Review
Friday
Potential last trip to Cabot Creamery
Saturday
Gym
Library
Target
Birthday Cupcakes
Jasmine Bistro
Sunday
Gym
Grocery shopping
Birthday Gifts
Showed apt
Donated textbooks
Recycled notebooks/folders
Laundry
Potential last trip to Cabot Creamery
Saturday
Gym
Library
Target
Birthday Cupcakes
Jasmine Bistro
Sunday
Gym
Grocery shopping
Birthday Gifts
Showed apt
Donated textbooks
Recycled notebooks/folders
Laundry
Thursday, June 4, 2009
The Good and The Bad
Will not miss:
1. The garage across the street drilling something into cars starting at 7am.
1a. Tow trucks idling to drop off cars at the garage.
2. The neighbors to the left in general
2a. The small one cries a lot
2b. The bigger one plays basketball in her driveway starting at 7am.
i. This means they don't park in their driveway and instead park occasionally in front of ours for days on end.
2c. The bigger one starts pogo sticking when she tires of playing HORSE
3. The neighbor in the back not wearing his shirt as he digs up his tiny yard and listens to oldies.
4. The neighbor kiddie corne to the left in the back with the crazy daughter who's too old to be living at home and once tried to get into our basement.
5. Super crowded commutes on the bus
6. The neighbors down the street with the endless use of their nextel phone and visitors with idling diesel trucks.
7. 20 minute trip to the library that is only 1.5 miles away
8. No cupboards in the kitchen
9. Tiny closets
10. Downstairs neighbor parking perpetually in front of the house instead of in the driveway barring any guests from using the spot.
11. Tandem parking
Will Miss
1. Short commute on most days
2. The Harvard Square Dunkin Donuts
3. Conley's
4. Being able to walk to Harvard Square
1. The garage across the street drilling something into cars starting at 7am.
1a. Tow trucks idling to drop off cars at the garage.
2. The neighbors to the left in general
2a. The small one cries a lot
2b. The bigger one plays basketball in her driveway starting at 7am.
i. This means they don't park in their driveway and instead park occasionally in front of ours for days on end.
2c. The bigger one starts pogo sticking when she tires of playing HORSE
3. The neighbor in the back not wearing his shirt as he digs up his tiny yard and listens to oldies.
4. The neighbor kiddie corne to the left in the back with the crazy daughter who's too old to be living at home and once tried to get into our basement.
5. Super crowded commutes on the bus
6. The neighbors down the street with the endless use of their nextel phone and visitors with idling diesel trucks.
7. 20 minute trip to the library that is only 1.5 miles away
8. No cupboards in the kitchen
9. Tiny closets
10. Downstairs neighbor parking perpetually in front of the house instead of in the driveway barring any guests from using the spot.
11. Tandem parking
Will Miss
1. Short commute on most days
2. The Harvard Square Dunkin Donuts
3. Conley's
4. Being able to walk to Harvard Square
The Beginning of the End
The landlords are bringing the first potential new tenant through tonight. Of course, the place is in shambles compared to last week when they came through to take pics. We have boxes everywhere, piles of stuff in the spare room, piles of books everywhere...
We asked them to push it back till 8pm tonight instead of 6pm so we can quickly get organized....
More showings on Sunday.
We asked them to push it back till 8pm tonight instead of 6pm so we can quickly get organized....
More showings on Sunday.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Moving Ahead
We just found out that the appraisor is going in today at 1pm...
We were told it will be a couple of days before the report is ready. I'm hoping that the listing agent can glean something from the appraisor and tell our agent...
I've taking the optimistic approach that will appraise out at the right amount and everything will be fine. Assuming it is, these are things that I have thought of that I want to do to the new house, some lofty, others not so much. Keep in mind at this point I've only seen the house 2 times!
We were told it will be a couple of days before the report is ready. I'm hoping that the listing agent can glean something from the appraisor and tell our agent...
I've taking the optimistic approach that will appraise out at the right amount and everything will be fine. Assuming it is, these are things that I have thought of that I want to do to the new house, some lofty, others not so much. Keep in mind at this point I've only seen the house 2 times!
- Either replace carpeting with better carpeting until we can replace with hardwood floors in living room, upstairs hallway, and upstairs bedroom.
- Replace kitchen cabinets
- Replace kitchen linoleum with something that's not linoleum
- Replace kitchen counters with something that's not laminate
- Replace bathroom linoleum
- Repaint dining room, the yellow is just a little too tart looking, needs to be more subdued
- Touch up/repaint upstairs hallway. Like the color but needs to be touched up
- Repaint front porch
- Repair basement steps
- Consider replacing hardware on faucets etc
- Consider replacing hardware in kitchen
- Paint living room
- Set up work out stuff in basement
- Price treadmills
- Restain back deck
14 days
There has been so much going on (final, real estate stuff, family visiting) that I realized today that we are a mere 14 days away from our week long get away to SF and the coast! I'm so looking forward to it....
We have only the basics planned, we know where we are staying and we have a car. Aside from that, we have not planned anything which is totally what I need.
That reminds me, I asked United to send me a new mileage plus card with my new name via letter per the website and never heard anything back....
We have only the basics planned, we know where we are staying and we have a car. Aside from that, we have not planned anything which is totally what I need.
That reminds me, I asked United to send me a new mileage plus card with my new name via letter per the website and never heard anything back....
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