MM.Rogers Photographs: August 2013

August 12, 2013

Santa Cruz Beach (California)

A photograph can be an instant of life captured for eternity that will never cease looking back at you. - Brigitte Bardot

Mid-August is here. With it comes that feeling something's ending - yup, the end of summer. Getting the most out of what's left of this season, my family and I headed to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk last weekend to soak all the sun and frolic by the beach. The day trip includes a stroll down the boardwalk, sprawl by the beach, take fun iphone photos, get amused by a flock of seabirds feeding on bread crumbs, get full on a serving of huge roast turkey legs and garlic fries at the food court and of course, a visit to the nearby surf shop hoping to find an affordable long board. It was amazing to watch the surfers in their wetsuits wait patiently in cold water for pitiful small waves to ride and yet, the feeling of satisfaction's there. A day at Santa Cruz Beach is a great, cheap escape on a mild lazy afternoon. What's best of all is watching how the majestic setting sun turn the skies toasty gold, bathing us in sunshowers.

See Half Moon Bay entry

Panoramic view of Santa Cruz Beach

View along West Cliff Drive

Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse

August 4, 2013

Petaluma (California)

A photograph can be an instant of life captured for eternity that will never cease looking back at you. - Brigitte Bardot

When you plan to visit Sonoma county, you got to plan it right. There are several cities you could drive through for a quick walking tour and even an overnight. Prior to the Sonoma Hot Air Balloon Festival, my family and I spent a night at Petaluma - a small old town in Sonoma County, minutes away from the balloon fest venue. I read that Petaluma is popular for butter. Though I was curious, I didn't get my hands on some blocks of butter due to a tight schedule. Butter, you can let go but don't miss out on Water Street Promenade-Historic Downtown-Putnam Plaza tour for dining (especially along Petaluma River) and get a taste of what the city has to offer to a foodie like me (ok, I define foodie as someone who loves watching cooking channel but doesn't do well in kitchen and her love for authentic food is an undying affair).

Photos were taken with a Nikon Coolpix point and shoot.

August 2, 2013

Outer Banks (North Carolina)

A photograph can be an instant of life captured for eternity that will never cease looking back at you. - Brigitte Bardot

It is quite interesting how a small town's history became linked to ducks - and they even got a part of it named after these aquatic divers - the Town of Duck, North Carolina. I honestly thought I'd be eating ducks when we came for vacation this summer 2013. Instead, wishes granted, a week of crabs! Just to be quick and precise, name it, Outer Banks got it. Let me enumerate what's to look forward to in OBX: the historical landmarks such as Whalehead and Currrituck Lighthouse, seafood and blue crabs, convenient rentals, surfing, wild horses tours (Spanish Mustangs), white sandy beaches, pools of various sizes, local shopping, hot tubs, kayaking, paddle boarding and even ghost hunting (which is a popular night activity that I even got a book about ghost stories). It is surprisingly laid back yet at the same time, it's packed with water activities if you are into water. Otherwise, enjoy the succulent fresh-from-the-sea crabs and of course, unlimited sun baking. Weather changes quite unpredictably though so don't be bummed out if (while at the resort) lifeguards whistle out loud. It means thunder/lighting warning, so be quick to jump out of the water and head back to your rentals.

Whalehead in Historic Corolla. Guided tour inside the house for $10. All I remember was back in the days, they used this house for duck hunting. There were places where they used to store and hang dead ducks as many as 800!

Whalehead after the depression. It is now one of Corolla's pride

Currituck Beach Lighthouse. See website for more info.

Next: PETALUMA (CALIFORNIA)