Going Cruisisng Coastal Coastwise Coastside

The Mayor hasn't been done the coast lately, meaning touching distance from the mighty blue Pacific Ocean(other than some runs to the City). So it was a pleasure to show up in Santa Cruz on an errand to p/u some family that had been hangin' out for a few days.
It has been years since we visited, before the Loma Prieta quake of '89 that ruined a section of old downtown S.C. and gave impetus to a rejuvenation of the whole town. We stopped for an espresso and strolled the shops, bought some cards, and the Mayor took time to look over the offerings at the famous O'Neill Surf Shop. Lots of great stuff, including boards!

We stopped at the Santa Cruz Zen Center, perched on the hill right next door to the old Spanish Mission Santa Cruz(restored version 2.0) The Z. Center is fixed in 3 building of residential origins, and does not stand out on the street. It's very subtle, as required. The guests and residents were in perfect harmony, as required and expected.

All in all, it was a great return to this coastal town/village, sitting on the threshold of the great blue Pacific Rim. One forgets how the young folks can focus on one site as they do. I felt like I was in a college town completely taken over by 20-somethings. Refreshing in an unexpected way. On the one hand, they looked carefree, light, and hopeful. On the other, hunched over their laptops, they seemed earnest, involved, questioning, even intense.
Ahhhhh, youth.