Patrick's Point/Trinidad

On our way back from Fern Canyon we stopped off at Patrick's Point State Park to make the most of our California State Park day use pass. The coast line jutts out here and let's you see for miles both north and south past a jagged coastline teaming with seals, sea lions, and tide pools.

On our way home from Patrick's Point, we stopped in Trinidad for a delicious seafood lunch. My dad checked another pier off his list at the Trinidad Pier and we picked up some smoked fish in town for dinner. I definitely got my seafood fix on this trip.

Fern Canyon

North of McKinleyville is Redwood National Park. After 8 miles on a steep up and down dirt road through breathtaking Redwood forests, dodging backhoes, steam rollers, and various other heavy machinery, we emerged at the coast and the trail head for Fern Canyon. A short hike brought us to the entrance of the canyon, where we were transported into another world. Steep walls line either side of a creek bed covered completely in lush, prehistoric ferns. On top of these giant shear walls sit giant redwood trees that filter the light, allowing only sparse beams of light to penetrate into the canyon below giving the place a heavenly and pristine feel. We wandered up the creek bed until we were spit out of the east end of the canyon up a steep set of steps into the Redwood forest creating somewhat of a sensory overload moving from one beautiful vista to the next. Around each corner was another breathtaking sight with a lack of words to describe it.

To get to the trail head, we had to ford a couple of small streams. The Explorer was up to the task and handled them with ease, also making for a fun little sequence of photos.

Drive-Thru Tree

On our way up to Humboldt from San Francisco, we stopped at the Drive-Thru Tree. Clearly a tourist trap, but still cool nonetheless. It was one of those things that my Dad drove by a million times in his travels to and from college, but had never stopped to check out. It never ceases to amaze me how massive and beautiful the giant Redwoods are in Northern California. We took Scotty's car, as well as my mom's, through the tree. It was a tight fit and I knicked the side view mirror on my mom's car squezzing through. Sorry mom!

Get Your Brooms Out!

My parents and I drove down to Rincon before game 3. Another beautiful day out, but the wind had picked up and blown out most of the surf. There were still a dedicated few catching some small choppy stuff. We walked around "el rincon" at Rincon and took in the sites enjoying the sunny, breezy morning.

Then it was back to Goleta with visions of a sweep dancing in our heads. Davis got in a hole early going down 8-0, but came roaring back in dramatic fashion to score 8 unanswered runs. 2 of these runs came in the 8th and 4 in the 9th taking the game to extras. Davis plated another run in the top of the 10th to take the lead. In the bottom of the 10th with runners on the corners and 1 out, Lewis induced a slow ground ball up the middle that Scotty took himself for a game ending 4-3 double play giving Davis the extra innings win and series sweep.

Scotty crossing the plate for one of his 2 runs scored. He went 1-5 with 2 runs, an RBI, and a walk.

Game ending double play to clinch the sweep

Joining a Quest and Game 2

My dad has embarked on a quest to walk out on every pier on the California coast. I joined him in his crusade the morning before game 2 of the series in downtown Santa Barbara. My mom went shopping while my dad and I walked out on Stearns Wharf (Santa Barbara's main pier). Santa barbara provided us with another beautiful day to emphasize its picturesque setting.

The pier crusader leading the charge.

Brave pelican that let everyone come right up to it for pictures.

Then it was time to had back to Goleta for game 2. I got some more decent action shots and Davis took game 2 in convincing fashion 11-6. Scotty had another great game going 1 for 4 with 2 runs and played some stellar defense at second base.

UCD vs UCSB-Game 1

It was a typical beautiful day in Santa Barbara for game one of the series. I brought my camera in the hopes of getting some shots of Scotty in action. He was hitting in 2 spot and was up to bat right as we walked in. I quickly flipped on my camera and was able to get a solid little sequence of him laying down a sac bunt.

Enough with this sacrifice bunt nonsense. I came here to see Scotty hit!

And Score!

And turn sweet double plays!

Davis took game one 6-5 and Scotty had a great game going 2-3 w/ a double, a walk, a sac bunt, and 2 runs

SLO, but quick

I made my yearly pilgrimage to catch my brother's collegiate baseball career before it's over. I can't believe he's a junior already! I flew into San Diego from Cleveland and we woke up at the crack of dawn to miss the LA traffic and take a quick side trip to SLO before we came back down to Santa Barbara for a 3-game set between UCD and UCSB. We cruised around downtown SLO and the Cal Poly campus, just killing time waiting for the two real reasons we stopped in SLO to open: Firesonte Grill and the Edna Valley wineries.

This picture needs no caption. Just a napkin to wipe the drool off of your chin.

Edna Valley Winery in the spring time. Gorgeous.

Mom and dad enjoying their tastings.