The Boardwalk and the Pelicans

The far reaching range of our experiences continues today! In the last week we've been high on rock faces, seen super city skylines, stayed in a tent, on a sofa and in a luxury hotel. This morning started off on the famous old Santa Cruz beach Boardwalk.

Actually, it started of with a very relaxing breakfast in bed and a late check out of the Hotel. But a short walk later, found us entering the delights of the boardwalk. It's sort of a beach side theme park, with roller coaster, brights lights, music and fast food. What's not to like!?

We spent most of the day soaking up the sights and watching the wacky world go by and meeting some of the locals.

Every kind of sweet treat was available for purchase and mostly super-sized! 

There were a few small waves at the end of the beach and we spent some time watching and considering going for a surf - Afterall it is an iconic surf spot. But on the way to the car to get out wetsuits we came across a sign from the local council, warning people not to go into or ingest the water as it is rather polluted! Well that was a deal clincher, so after lunch we went and saw something completely different - Pelicans and Sea Otters! 

Less than an hours drive south of the city there is a national reserve that Anna had told us about. After a slight scenic detour through Elkhorn Slough we arrived at Moss Landing, where we parked up in front of hundreds of Pelicans on a beach!

The scene was reminiscent of the chapter in the Lost World, where Mallone discovers the Pterodactyl rookery! What amazing birds they are! They would take off, circle around our heads, catch a fish then go back to the beach, tip up their beaks and gulp it down.

A short walk around the corner and we came across loads of Sea Otters (another animal I've never seen before). They would swim on their backs while eating fish! There were plenty swimming close up to us, but on the other side of the river, there were loads just basking noisily in the sun.

Our intention had been to hire kayaks, but with all the wildlife so close, we didn't really have to! It was also super windy, so not ideal conditions for floating around the estuary.

Instead, we had a little brew up by the beach at Monteray, before retiring to our (grimmest ever) Motel for some much needed sleep. Sometimes I think that the buzz of the city is more exhausting than the climbing a mountain! I sure slept soundly...