Elephant seals: Santa Cruz, on New Year's Day

Santa Cruz, on New Year's Day

People on the street,

with backpacks

and long hair,

colorful clothes,

a little down & out, -

that western, freedom thing, -

and sunny, comfortable weather,

I'm heading for

Dance Church of Santa Cruz, ~

first time ever.

The trip is fast

from the S.F. Bay,

on Sunday morning,

on a Spare the Air Day,

per the radio,

to this still alternative city.

The winding road,

17 South,

begins, and

the world changes

into Santa Cruz,

northern California.

Getting to the dance late,

exploring a little,

I may head to see the

elephant seals

at Año Nuevo,

later today.

It's breeding season.

The front door

is getting locked,

and the man wearing a Fez, says

'Want in?'

And I say 'Is this Dance Church?'

'Yea, it's just over,' he says.

'Can I just see the space?' I ask.

'Yea,' he says,

'but another class is just coming in.'

I walk in the front door

of 418 Front Street,

passing among the dancers, -

all relaxed, chatting, happy,

alternative types,

in colorful, loose clothing, -

and out the main, side door.

I may try to camp

the night before,

and come

another time.

I walk into downtown Santa Cruz,

from Front, along Cathcart Street,

to Pacific Ave., with all its businesses, -

Latino ones, especially.

There are a lot of

alternative types here, too.

The revolution is happening,

in a low-key way,

and, from the 1960s,

both business- ... ,

and California-wise,

in this beach city.

I imagine business practices

in Santa Cruz are humane,

and compassionate,

and people-friendly, -

yet with still a lot of

street people on-the-ground.

The weather is great today.

I hear

nice guitar, with slide,

by that old long-hair,

sitting on a bench on Pacific Ave.,

on such a beautiful, sunny day.

I walk

down to the Town Clock,

which looks like a bell tower,

at the end of Pacific, -

it seems like the nicest part

of this avenue,

but few people are here.

Sunday motorcyclists

roll in, dressed in black,

two by two,

revving their engines, -

on a New Year's ride.

I head into the

great bookstore,

Bookshop Santa Cruz,

and am transported,

into the world of words,

and exploration.

O, the relaxation response, ~

with books!

I head on, exploring,

via the Quaker Meeting House,

which I've never visited before,

with a large peace sign

under its eaves,

toward Año Nuevo.

Stopping at Whale City Bakery,

north of Santa Cruz, -

it's crowded, ...

"Crazy," the waitress says
about this.

The warmth in the air

feels like Global Warming.

Will this coastline

diminish 20 feet in my life time,

as the oceans rise?

Año Nuevo,

with its breeding,

elephant seals,

costs $10 to park,

and all the tours,

with rangers,

are booked for the day,

so I continue northward,

detouring to

Pigeon Point Light House,

with its Youth Hostel,

with hot tub.

A lot of people are visiting today.

A frowsy group of motorcyclists,

their black leather all asunder,

are waddling back to their hogs,

from their tourist stop;

don't know if they're the same

folks as above.

First time it hasn't rained

in eight years

on New Year's Day,

per the cashier in the gift shop,

(who enjoys the Half Moon Bay sailing club

with Cal 20s and Lasers :)

some motorcyclists told her, earlier.

I walk in toward the coast,

past the Youth Hostel.

A great docent,

in the hall

with the restored, Fresnel light,

a radiant jewel -

picture all those lenses,

beaming beehive-like

in your mind -

is giving a talk.

With a slight, English accent,

and possibly the training of an actor,

he engages his listeners,

as raconteur,

talking of this gem

of a beacon light,

to help with ocean navigation.

Back to Canyon,

and a call from

a dear, old friend ...

a birthday exploration,

the day after,

in beautiful California ...

yea to travel ... :)