I have had the good fortune of traveling to an amazing array of beaches all over the world... my global travel stories are almost all pre-children, and I'll save those for another day. Just know... I have dipped my toes in quite a few oceans. And yet, not one shore has captured my soul quite the way the northern beaches of Santa Cruz have. Is it because I lived a bike ride away for five years? Or is it that my experience was intertwined with the first years of living away from home when I claimed my identity as a woman. After growing up in the heart of San Francisco, my college years introduced me to living with the natural world at my doorstep and opened my eyes to a life long connection with the earth. This beach, Natural Bridges, remains a sacred place to me.
Bringing my mother and children there last week was a true pleasure and filled me up with the strength of the Pacific that I surely needed for my return home. We went at low tide so that we could explore the tide pools and the worlds upon worlds that can be discovered within one tiny crevice. If it had been winter we would have visited the sanctuary for monarchs who vacation there each year by the tens of thousands. Pure indescribable magic! If you're ever in the Santa Cruz area, it's worth putting on your list.
I feel exactly the same way about Santa Cruz Beaches! As a former UCSC student, (hopefully) temporarily displaced in San Diego, they still feel like home to me! Beautiful pictures, Thank you!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness. I just wrote a post about one of our new favorite places, today.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.falafelandthebee.com/2012/08/16/lummi-in-the-day/
We had the pleasure of going to a very private remote island that we absolutely fell in love with.
BTW- I love your photos. I feel like I'm actually there!
~Michelle
what fun! how incredibly wonderful!
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ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful and happy photos. Taking the time to explore the tiny worlds inside tide pools is such a relaxing and eye opening experience. I have very fond memories of doing this on the beach I grew up on.
ReplyDeleteI live in Santa Cruz and Natural Bridges is definately a favorite but this summer I have been finding myself drawn mostly towards the east side and the beaches, and tide pools, around 41st Ave and "The Hook". If you've never been, you should definately check them out.
ReplyDeleteI'll put the Hook on our list for next time, thanks!
DeleteBeautiful! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI love to recharge at home - alone.
ReplyDeleteLove that picture of all the life within the tide pool.
Good morning! I am a long time follower of your beautiful blog but I think this is a first time comment from me. Nice to "meet" you!
ReplyDeleteLove your pictures included with this post and thought you might enjoy this link that my father emailed me last night- http://www.snotr.com/video/7331/The_Living_Bridge
Thank you for such an inspiration site!
Kelly
Thank you Kelly! I'll check it out.
DeleteAwesome beauty that makes me praise God.
ReplyDeleteI've read your blog for a loooong time, and I think maybe only commented twice in that time. I just want to say that you are my very favourite blogger. A lot of craft blogs are too much info, too much to do. A lot of family blogs are unreachable in their perfection.
ReplyDeleteThankyou Maya for creating a blog that has beauty and truth in abundance x
Kelly,
DeleteThank you deeply! This might be one of my most beloved comments ever. Thank you so much!! Sometimes I wish I could offer more to do or have a more perfect family... but at the end of the day, all I have is me. I'm so pleased to hear that that is enough for you.
xxx,
me
The forests in Sweden, hands down one of my fave places to be and explore.
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