Sitting in one of my favorite spots on the entire planet (the Laguna couch) and thinking about all of the amazing things that have just happened over the past four days- it's my last day here. Countless faces, amazing stories and more laughs than I have had in months. I am happy as a clam.
As I lay here in my little nook in the corner of this big room full of guitars, blankets, tea cups, sea lions and beautiful artwork I begin to realize something- the constant motion of life never leaves things the same for long. The Santa Cruz that I know and love is constantly changing. Although I still love it more than I can explain, it has changed from that little place on the coastline with the redwoods and the surfers. However, the sea lions bark in the distance and the giant waves outside can be heard through the windows- it's still home.
This place has helped me to grow. It has been a place of comfort and retreat for so many people, literally from all over the world. It is always here for us. Yes, it's a house, but it is a family and one of the greatest communities in the world. The door is open and there are more blankets than you will know what to do with if you need a place to sleep for the night. Guaranteed there is about 40 different types of tea in the cupboard and about twice as many mugs to drink from. It's home. It's been home for many incredible people-slugs and non-slugs alike. The fact that it was finals week coming up did not change the fact that there was always someone going to the climbing gym or going surfing. "Want to go for a walk?" "How about a bike ride?" Love it. Miss it.
Picked up from the airport at o-dark-thirty by one of the most welcoming and missed faces. Straight to the lighthouse to see the waves (and freeze). To Laguna to stir up trouble and then to get some rest. The adventure began.
Paddle Fest (surf kayaking competition hosted in Santa Cruz) just happened to be this past weekend as well which meant plenty of faces from all over the world were present for the amazing (A-M-A-Z-I-N-G) waves at the Lane. A lot of familiar faces from my journey to North Carolina last October. Wonderful! Never in my life have I felt like I needed to be somewhere more than in Santa Cruz that weekend. Wow.
The rain was cold, but refreshing. The wind did not come like they said it would. There was an excuse to bundle up in multiple layers and not get out of bed in the morning because it was chilly. It is winter. Even though it is still a very warm winter, it is still a season other than summer, which I appreciated immensely. Hot coffee, hot breakfast and the heater on in the car. Y-E-S.
To the mountains next in June. For now, the last of the whales are migrating along the coastline and the winds are howling for the time being. We're gearing up for dolphin season (omg omg omg). My mom is on her way here on Monday- her first trip to the islands. I'm excited for her to (literally) dip her toes in the magic.
The refreshing visit home has given me the strength for my next adventures.
Aloha nui loa,
M.
Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to the body and soul. -John Muir
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