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Plant Lover’s Paradise in Santa Cruz, California
If you are as obsessed with plants as I am, you have to visit Santa Cruz. Two of my favorite shops are in this beautiful beachside town. The first is DIG Gardens. Located at 420 Water Street, Santa Cruz, California, it is well worth the trip.
They feature a plethora of plants, textiles, books, candles, pottery, furniture, and interior decorating inspiration. They have one of the largest selections of succulents, cacti, and air plants I have ever seen!
I could spend hours perusing this place, and my pictures are only the tip of the iceberg! They have a huge outdoor area chockful of plant wonders as well! My favorite is the gigantic succulent display. This has become so crazy popular, people are getting married in front of it. For reals!
I’m sure all my plant loving friends are drooling at this point. But wait, there’s more! Botanic And Luxe, located at 701A Front Street in Santa Cruz, California is another sweet spot for your plant fix. It is located just around the corner from the beautiful downtown Santa Cruz area, close to other great shops and restaurants. They also carry gifts and home goods, as well as great decorating inspiration.
Their store is carefully curated and you can feel the loving care they put into creating a welcoming and attractive atmosphere. I love the friendliness of the staff and the way they provide education regarding plant care in a simple, no-nonsense way.
Their air plant selection is amazing. They even have jellyfish air plants! I was also informed that they only purchase their plants through ethical sources, to help protect and maintain our earth’s valuable ecosystems.
In conclusion, dear friends, if you are looking for a botanical pick-me-up, you know where to go. If like me, you have a thing with plants, you will not be disappointed! For more information, see Botanic & Luxe and DIG Gardens
Thank you for visiting my blog. Wishing you peace, love & happiness!
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Ragged Point: Gateway to Big Sur
Known for its breathtaking views from its perch 400 feet above the wild Pacific coastline, Ragged Point Inn is often called the gateway to Big Sur. Ragged Point consists of not only an Inn, but also a cafe, restaurant, gift shop, mini mart, ice cream parlor, and gas station. It is basically a self-sufficient little community in the remote wilderness that is Big Sur. 
Ragged Point features beautiful flower gardens, fountains, and pathways filled with gently drifting Monarch butterflies and swiftly darting hummingbirds. Fabulous ocean vistas include myriad sightings of seals, dolphins, and migrating whales. Live music is an attraction on weekends and holidays, lasting throughout the summer into October. There are also photo ops at the “Portal to Big Sur”, a wooden sculpture that looks like a big donut (or toilet seat, you decide). There is also a fairly steep and somewhat challenging hiking trail leading down to the beach.
Helpful Tips:- No Wifi unless you are staying at the Inn, and even then it is sketchy
- Expensive gas prices
- No cell service
- Rooms are a bit outdated
- A good place to stop on the long drive between outposts of civilization in the area
- Pets are allowed at the Inn and on the premises
Other Fun Activities in the Area:- Hike to Salmon Creek Falls. This natural waterfall is located 3.6 miles north of Ragged point Inn close to Hwy 1. An interesting feature of the waterfall is that it actually starts out as two waterfalls that merge into one as they cascade down 120 feet. It is a relatively easy and popular hike with a round trip distance of only .25 miles. The pullout for the trailhead is 45 miles south of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. The falls are visible from Hwy 1. Salmon Creek Falls is also next to the Silver Peak Wilderness area. For more information, see Salmon Creek Falls
- Visit Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery. Located almost 11 miles south of Ragged Point Inn, the colony includes more than 17,000 elephant seals, which gather seasonally to safely avoid predators and frolic playfully with their pups. Elephant seals are the largest seals in the northern hemisphere. For more information, see Elephant Seals
- Visit Hearst Castle. Located 15 miles south of Ragged Point Inn, Hearst Castle was designed by famed architect Julia Morgan for business magnate William Randolph Hearst. It is nestled on 127 acres of meticulously groomed gardens and terraces. For more information, see Hearst Castle
- Visit San Simeon Pier, 15.5 miles south of Ragged Point Inn. This area is protected by the Marine Life Protection Act and is home to seals, otters, humpback whales, elephant seals, pelicans, ospreys, and much more. For more information, see San Simeon Pier
- Take a tour of Piedras Blancas Light Station, located approximately 9 miles south of Ragged Point. For more information, see Lighthouse
- Visit the romantic village of Cambria, 22 miles south of Ragged Point, for fabulous shopping and delicious sunsets at Moonstone Beach. For more information, see Cambria
- If you are into hiking hidden trails and experiencing isolated beaches, visit the very private Ragged Point Beach. This is 1.8 miles south of Ragged Point Inn. The trailhead starts at a small pull-out parking area on a bend between a blue call box and a “no campfires” sign. The trail is called Ragged Point Cliffside Trail. It is a .6 mile steep and fairly strenuous hike with a 400-foot change in elevation. The black sand beach is extremely private and is flanked by rocky bluffs. There is also a seasonal waterfall here called Black Swift Falls.
- Visit the Big Sur Jade Festival in the Lost Padres National Forest, directly across from Sand Dollar Beach on Hwy 1. This beloved annual festival, which draws people from all over the world, is usually held for three days in October. Multiple vendors sell and showcase their work, ranging from tiny, delicate pieces of jewelry to huge slabs of stone harvested from the sea. For more information, see Big Sur Jade Festival
I hope that you enjoy Ragged Point and the wonderful sights around it! Thank you for visiting my blog. Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas!
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Partington Cove: Tanbark Tunnel to the Sea
If you have ever wished to find pirates or buried treasure in the Monterey area, your best bet is Partington’s Cove. I think the name should be changed to Pirate’s Cove because it resembles something out of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. It is located 1.8 miles north of the entrance to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, and 6 miles south of Nepenthe. It is easy to pass by due to poor signage. Look for the trailhead turn-off inside a hairpin turn on the west side of Hwy 1. Once you reach the trailhead, follow the half-mile dirt trail downhill. At the bottom, it splits into two trails. Turn left at the bottom and cross a wooden footbridge above Partington Creek.
Follow the path along, and you will see a 100-foot-long tunnel bored through rock. The tunnel was constructed in the 1880s by homesteader John Partington, to enable the transport of lumber from the tanbark forest above the canyon to ships moored in the cove. Tanbark provided the tannins necessary to tan hides into leather. Mules were used to haul the lumber down the canyon to the ships.
You can still see remnants of iron and wood structures used to moor the ships in the cove. You can also see tangled kelp forests as they sway gently in much of the cove. I imagine what it must have been like to see a ship moored here. It seems to me that swashbucklers could have been here. I can almost hear them chanting “Fifteen men on a dead man’s chest, yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum!” Speaking of rum, Partington Cove also has been rumored to be affiliated with Prohibition bootlegging ventures, but this has never been substantiated.
As you return and cross back over the footbridge, instead of turning right to return up to Hwy 1, turn left. Following this will lead you to a beach where Partington Creek cascades and spills over stony boulders and rocks into the ocean. It is a wonderful place to sit and reflect. As the waves crash onto the sandy shore, I think I hear a parrot shrieking “pieces of eight!” But I am shocked out of my reverie when I realize it is my friend calling me, “we’ll be late!” He has been thinking he saw a mermaid in the cove!Whether you like pirates or mermaids, experience Partington Cove yourself and let me know what you think. Adventure awaits!
Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas! -
Cambria, California: Top 10 Things to Do!
Charming, romantic, and fun, Cambria lies smack dab between L.A. and San Francisco on Hwy 1, just south of the famous Hearst Castle in San Simeon. With a population just a smidge over 6000, Cambria is small but jam-packed with fun things to do.
Cambria is the Latin name for Wales. Cambria is situated amidst one of only three rare Monterey pine forests.It was named by a local surveyor from Cambria County, Pennsylvania. If you love the beach, art galleries, boutiques, wine tasting, and intimate restaurants, Cambria is the cat’s meow.History
Cambria was originally settled by the Chumash Indians and eventually, settlers moved here for the farmland and lumber. In 1862, Cambria became a boom town after the discovery of cinnabar, the ore from which quicksilver, also known as mercury, is made.What To Eat
There are no McDonalds, Burger Kings or Taco Bells here, which adds to the quaint, old-fashioned ambiance of the town. Favorites include Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill (great views here), Robin’s Restaurant, Indigo Moon, Black Cat Bistro ( I love this name!), and Madeline’s Restaurant. If you just want to grab coffee or tea and a quick breakfast, I recommend Cambria Coffee, located on Main Street.
Where To Stay
Cambria is known as a romantic getaway. There are numerous bed and breakfast inns in town. There are also a plethora of hotels across Hwy 1 from downtown Cambria on Moonstone Beach (or at least, across the road from it). Our hotel suite had a second story patio overlooking the beach and sliding doors you could leave open at night to allow the cool, delicious ocean breeze in. I would highly recommend finding lodging near the beach, as it is incredibly beautiful.
What to See & Do
- Moonstone Beach is very user-friendly beach and has a beautiful 1.5-mile boardwalk with many benches and vista points. At the beach, you may see a variety of animals, including elephant seals, sea otters, and shorebirds. The beach was named after the moonstones swept onto the beach by the ocean. Beachcombers are a frequent fixture on the beach. Beautiful stones and occasional sea glass can be found here. There is also a dearth of driftwood, and people constantly create interesting driftwood sculptures on the beach. For more information, see Moonstone Beach.
- Hearst Castle is located just north of Cambria. Designed by famed architect Julia Morgan for business magnate William Randolph Hearst, this opulent estate is a must see. Originally called “La Cuesta Encantada”, or The Enchanted Hill, the castle has 165 rooms. It is nestled on 127 acres of meticulously groomed gardens and terraces. You will be wowed by the artwork and statuary that Hearst collected, including castle ceilings and Cardinal Richelieu’s bed. It is said that the film “Citizen Kane” is based on William Randolph Hearst and his “castle” certainly supports that conjecture. The film chronicles the life of a newspaper tycoon who amasses fame and fortune but is unable to buy love or happiness. Although decades have passed since Hearst lived there, it still inspires amazement. For more information, see Hearst Castle.
- Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery is about 4.5 miles north of Hearst Castle. This colony includes more than 17,000 elephant seals, which gather seasonally to safely avoid predators and frolic playfully with their pups. Elephant seals are the largest seals in the northern hemisphere. The best time to see seal activity is in the winter, from December through February. Males, which are 14-16 feet long and weigh up to 5,000 pounds, begin arriving in late November, and their female mates come in December. February is the busiest month for the elephant seals, with almost 4,000 pups born in just a few weeks. For more information, see Elephant Seals.
- Wine Tasting. Cambria is the gateway to wine tasting, with local wineries and more in nearby Paso Robles and Templeton. Wineries in Cambria include Moonstone Cellars, Cayucos Cellars, Cutruzzola Vineyards, Twin Coyotes Winery, among many others.
- Shopping. Cambria is home to many artists and creatives, and you will find amazing art galleries and antique, garden, home decor, pottery, beadwork, and clothing shops. My favorite is Home Arts, which includes beachy boho decor including pottery, baskets, macrame, furniture, and artwork. As a Wisconsin native, I was also pleasantly surprised to see an Ephraim Pottery Shop on Main Street. Ephraim Pottery is also located in Lake Mills, Wisconsin, and features craftsman style pottery and ceramics in the American arts & crafts style of the early 1900s.
- Cambria is home to “Nitt Witt Ridge“, a home built at 881 Hillcrest Drive by Arthur Harold Beal, also known as Der Tinkerpaw or Captain Nitt Witt. Beal was a garbage collector for the town of Cambria in the 1940s and 1950s and used of what he found to build it, including beer cans, abalone shells, washing machine drums, automobile parts, and old stoves. He also purportedly worked at Hearst Castle for a time and incorporated remnants from the estate into his own home. Although Mr. Beal has moved on to the big Nitt Witt Ridge in the sky, you may tour his previous home, which is now a California Historical Landmark. For more information, see Nitt Witt Ridge.
- Take a Tour of Piedras Blancas Light Station. Located 15 miles north of Cambria, you can tour this historic lighthouse, although it appears to have something missing on top. If you’re wondering where it went, check out downtown Cambria for the original Fresnel Lens. For information on guided tours, see Piedras Blancas Light Station.
- Other Outdoorsy Activities you may enjoy in Cambria include biking, hiking, fishing, surfing, and kayaking.
Surfers enjoy catching the waves - Explore Fiscalini Ranch Preserve. Follow coastal bluff trails to see red-legged frogs, marsh hawks, as well as other local and endangered species at Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, a 430-acre protected wildlife habitat. For more information, see Fiscalini Ranch Preserve.
- Visit the Coastal Discovery Center. Located on San Simeon Bay, the center is a joint venture between Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and California State Parks. It provides education regarding the cultural and natural history of San Simeon. It is located just across highway one from the entrance to Hearst Castle. For more information, see Coastal Discovery Center.
Interesting Facts-
The 1990 film hit Arachnophobia was filmed in parts of Cambria and at the local high school
Annual Events- October: Cambria’s Annual Scarecrow Festival features over 300 scarecrows lining the town’s streets.
Helpful Tips- Use the Cambria Village Trolley to get around town.
- Public restrooms are on Burton Street, just off Main Street.
I hope you enjoy Cambria as much as I did! Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas!
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Shake Your Tail Feathers at the Monterey County Fair
The 2018 Monterey County Fair’s Theme was “Shake Your Tail Feathers”, which of course, as a chicken mama, I loved. I am also inspired by seeing the dedication of all the young people in 4-H to their animals and to this event. It is clearly a great deal of hard work, and I respect all the effort they put forth.
I went the very last day of the fair, which I found out later, was probably not a good idea. The last day, all children under 12 get free admission, which means, it is usually the busiest and most crowded day to go. Yet, for the most part, everyone was very peaceful and unruffled. It actually was moderately calm and low-key, considering the crowds and lines.
Rides, food, farm animals, musical talent, live entertainment, demonstrations, souvenirs, home-made foods and crafts, ribbons & prizes; the Monterey County Fair is a recipe for good old-fashioned fun for all ages!
There were even wine tastings from local wineries. We are in wine country, right?
One of my favorite buildings is the Wool Building. I always love seeing the ladies with their spinning wheels, diligently operating their wheels while simultaneously chatting and providing information to visitors. If I ever retire, I want to learn how to operate a spinning wheel. Maybe I will also finish all my crochet and knitting projects too!
Of course, my very favorite part of the Monterey County Fair is the animals. I wanted to snuggle with all the cute farm animals, but alas, I had to follow the rules and stay outside of their pens. It was especially difficult with Mr. Pig (see photo below) as he was so ridiculously cute and had personality plus! There is just so much to see, smell, hear, taste, and touch. I would highly recommend the Monterey County Fair!
Too much fun! I can hardly wait until next year’s Monterey County Fair. Thank you for visiting my blog. Wishing you peace, love & happiness!
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15 Things You Should Avoid Feeding Your Chickens
There is nothing more adorable than watching a hen waddling as fast as she can toward you in anticipation of getting a treat. Her little legs moving as fast as she can, her eyes full of excitement. Giving treats to chickens is indeed a fun experience, but it is good to know which treats are bad for your feathered friends. While most fresh fruits and vegetables are fine to feed your flock, the following is a list of treats you want to avoid.Do NOT feed chickens the following, as they can be TOXIC:
- Apple seeds. If you are going to give your chickens apples, make sure to first remove the seeds, as they contain amygdalin, a substance that releases cyanide into the bloodstream when digested.
- Green or sprouted white potatoes. They contain a toxin called solanine, which affects the nervous system (it’s bad for both birds and people). Sweet potatoes are fine to feed chickens!
- Avocados. The pits and skins contain the toxin persin, which can be fatal to chickens. The fleshy part is safe to give them in moderation.
- Chocolate. Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to birds and many other pets.
- Uncooked beans, rice or legumes. Uncooked beans contain a toxin called hemaglutin which is dangerous to chickens. Cooking the beans before serving them to the chickens is ok as this kills the toxin.
- Raw eggs. Your chickens may enjoy the taste of raw eggs so much they will eat them from their nesting boxes. It is best to either scramble or boil eggs before feeding them to your flock prevent this.
- Onions, chives, and garlic. These affect the flavor of your hen’s eggs and can contribute to the development of Heinz Anemia.
- Rhubarb. Rhubarb contains oxalic acid, which can cause calcium deficiency. Prolonged exposure can lead to kidney failure.
- Really salty foods. Some salt is okay, but too much can be deadly.
- Moldy food. Never feed any foods that are moldy or rotten. If you wouldn’t eat it, they shouldn’t eat it either.
- Raw meat. Never, ever feed your poultry raw meat. It can carry parasites and diseases. It may also lead to aggressive behavior and cannibalism in your flock.
- Dairy. Chickens aren’t able to digest lactose, but if you want to give small amounts of yogurt, it’s ok. Just know that dairy can cause diarrhea. A good substitute for dairy would be oyster shells.
- Grass clipping and pulled weeds. Never provide this to your chickens as it can lead to an impacted crop. It’s best to let them forage for themselves.
- Raw peanuts. Feeding chickens these legumes is a big NO. They contain a trypsin inhibitor (trypsin is an enzyme that the pancreas makes to help the intestines absorb protein) and can be deadly.
- Eggplant peelings. The flesh is ok, but the peels contain solanine which is toxic.
My chickens prefer the following treats: strawberries, cantaloupe, watermelon, grapes, lettuce, kale, Swiss chard, and broccoli. Let me know what treats your chickens enjoy! Thank you for visiting my blog. You may also enjoy Hen House Inspiration: The 20 Cutest Chicken Coops Ever! and Common Chicken Sayings. Wishing you peace, love, joy, and happy chickens!