The Beach

Derek was in the mood to go to the beach the Saturday his mom was in town. He especially wanted to go to a beach that is commonly frequented by Monarch Butterflies at this time of year. We drove to Natural Bridges Beach in Santa Cruz and spent a few hours there.

We started at the visitor center and then took a walk through a wooded area where the butterflies tend to go because of all the eucalyptus trees. We were told there were over a 1,000 there, but they were well hidden. The few we did see were up high. It turned into a nice nature walk anyway. Then we headed to the beach. The kids played in the sand and explored, and the older ones played in the water, getting quite soaked. (couldn't they tell the water was COLD?) It was pretty windy, so Grandma and I stayed in our chairs most of the time, trying not to be bothered by it.

Natural Bridges Beach

Cathy, Grandma Taylor, Samantha

Laurel playing in the sand

DerekAdam enjoying some book reading

At one point we watched a bird floating in the water. It was riding the waves and every now and then got tossed up high at the top of a bigger wave. What was funny was it's little kicking feet as it flew through the air. The bird seemed to be enjoying the ride, as it continued in this way for a long time.