And More Pics...

What a contrast from yesterday and today! It was flat with a strong beach break. Today, stormy conditions with boogie boarders and a kite surfer out! Same beach!

Yesterday:


Today:










I am headed back home tomorrow, so write you all from home :)
Signing off from Florida...

Ernesto & More Pics

Tropical Storm/ Hurrincane Ernesto is heading right for us! This will be my first hurricane! I am going to get supplies with my dad tonight and help him put the storm shutters on the house. Anyway, we got a beach day in today, but no good surf. It was great to just get into the water and float around on the rental board. It was very clear out and no clouds.

Here are a few more pics of my FL experience (all pics taken today):

Today's Sucky Pseudo-Surf Sesh








Various Creautres That Are Around:







Another pic from the Kennedy Space Center from Saturday (I have more, but they are refusing to upload):

The FL Scene

First, let just say that this is my 100th post! I wondered how long it was going to take me! Now, let's get on to what's going on here in the sunshine state...

It's been fun so far, but the weather is a bit funky. We've got nice sunny mornings, followed by late afternoon clouds, rain,lightening and thunder:




(This was taken was taken by my dad, who was very patient to get this shot!)




It amazes me how flat the surf has been here, in spite of the crazy weather. So, I haven't been out in any waves... yet. My family and I went to the Kennedy Space Center this afternoon as a pre-tour before the launch of space shuttle Atlantis tomorrow. Well, we have entry to view the launch, but they scrubbed it until Monday. Hopefully I'll have pics up of that, and of me rippin' by Tuesday. But here are a few pics from today's encounters:








Well, I had more pics, but they aren't loading! Anyway, I am having a great time and still have about 5 more days here in Florida. I'll keep you all posted!

Near the Beginning

The crew and myself got some surfing in this weekend. It was small scale, but fun. I have a surfing competition that I am now committed to for Sept. 3! Alison and I are in the same division, and we have a good cheerleading section we have attending, so I can't wait! It'll for sure be a great beach day! Hopefully the surf will pick up. I have been so tempted to go to Eastside and surf. On Saturday, I ran into Hannah while rollerblading along the coastline, and we talked for a bit and watched waves at 2nd Peak. It looked super fun! I had already gone out earlier, and tried to get her to go surf, but it was too nippy out for her tastes, and I don't blame her. Fall is definitely in the air. She mentioned a Luna Run... you all know how I love surfing until the full moon comes out! Some else was talking about surfing a full moon... guess everyone is ready for a few evening glass off's. Getting up at 4:30am is really getting old for me, so I too am awaiting for the good tides to be awesome in the evening.

Yesterday I was pretty productive after an hour nap. Meg and I were working on some stepping stone mosaics and I finally grouted mine. They look awesome! Anyway, I will be going to FL tomorrow and will take plenty of pics and report my travels to you all! Have a great week!

BUSTED!

This morning I totally caught the deer in our garden! Sorry the pics are so fuzzy but I had to keep super still and not use a flash. Plus these were taken inside from the window.



GUILTY! What shameless creatures!



Oh well, not much you can do :) Here's a view into my place:

Moving Update

I am finally all moved in to my new place. It's been just great! I've been putting everything in place and yesterday I went into the backyard and picked some pear-apples, plums, pears, and a yellow squash. Love that garden! As I was driving out on to Branciforte, I saw two cottontails scurry across the street. Nice and serene, with the ocean less than ten minutes away. Meg and I have been riding bikes along Westcliff, and today I have been making a little flyer for the Surfrider Foundation. Alison has been very active with the group and I finally donated some time. Lucky for me the surf has been flat, otherwise I wouldn't be able to get anything done! The Princess Cruiser is in the shop, getting repaired. Hopefully she'll be ready for the contest on the 3rd!

I do have some pics I took, but honestly, I am not quite sure where my digicam is. Soon as I find it I will post the pics. Take care all!

Moving and Mayhem

I really hate moving. The process is going slow and steady and I will have all my bigger stuff in Santa Cruz by Sunday. I painted my room yesterday. One of the walls was a deep mustardy yellow, and that is just not allowed. I painted the wall white to match the others and to go with all my stuff. I did manage a few pics yesterday, but some didn't turn out. Here's a good one of the view from the family room:



I'll take more on Friday...the creek, the garden, the kitty. After I painted yesterday, I headed into town to check out the surf. It was pulsing, but it was very high tide. Meg and I decided to paddle out anyway, since it was freakishly hot in Santa Cruz. It was fun, but VERY bumpy....we called it "The Wild Buckin' Bronco Rodeo", cuz that's what it felt like.

We went surfing again this morning and I had a few really good rides. It was small scale, but very fun. Towards the end of my session, someone collided into my board, tearing about a 3" gouge into the side:







This is not a light ding! I have to get this repaired professionally. What a bummer for the Princess Cruiser! At least it was the board and not me that took the beating. Good thing I have another board to surf on while this one is in the shop. Oh well... the liabilities of surfing.

Almost Autumn

Can't believe it's August again. Guess it's all true, time flying, having fun and all that jazz. Since I've converted fully to the Santa Cruz lifestyle, life has been an absolute blast. The surf was fun on Sunday and but it was getting a little crowded. Won't have to worry about that much longer. The tourists will all go home and leave us to our waves and quiet streets. God, I don't even live in SC yet (tomorrow is my official move in) and I am tired of the all the non-locals.

Anyway, I am moving this weekend and hope to get some pics of the new place. It'll be nice only being 10 minutes from the ocean, and super peaceful being away from the suburbs. I'll keep you all posted!

Oh, and a year ago, to the day, I did a post on the upcoming Wonder Woman movie and my feelings on Eva Mendez being Diana Prince is still top choice. Anyone who begs to differ, please state your case and suggestion ;)