I’m a little off schedule with my posts this week. (I like to pretend you all notice.)
I just got back from visiting my friend, Tana Butler, who is deeply involved with the Santa Cruz organic farming community. Though we haven’t known each other for very long, I asked her if she would take me farm-hopping, and she said yes because she is not only delightful and hilarious, but generous as well.
The pictures below, taken at Everett Family Farm, Sierra Azul, the Santa Cruz Farmers Market and many stunning points in between, only scratch the surface of what I experienced on the trip. I basked in the warm welcome of community, was wowed by the spectacular coastal beauty of the Santa Cruz hills, and felt the unmistakable magic of life under the ground beneath my feet. I shared mouth-watering food, amazing wine and fearless conversations about love, politics, family and truth, all with people who fed my soul.
It amazes me when I stop to think that a year ago, I didn’t know Tana. My world was so much smaller then. This is what happens when you leap. (Other stuff happens too – some of it not so sparkly – but THIS is why I keep leaping.)
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And speaking of leaping, remember how I was determined to scratch something off the life list? Scuba lessons start this weekend. By next weekend, Chad, The Boy and I will all be certified. (It is possible that my being largely underwater will affect my post schedule. I like to pretend you all notice.)
Wild
Everything looks delicious. Beautiful scenery. I noticed your post schedule is way off, though. :-)
Good for you J!! What a remarkable experience, the pictures took me along also, although I would have loved to be intellectually stimulated as well by the interesting and fascinating coversation. I do notice when you are off your blog schedule, please don’t think I don’t!
Scuba for you and The boy! You are brave, when I was a firefighter for a few years….I favored the EMT part muchly…I was very timid about having the SCBA mask on my face. Good for you, I will be holding my breath until you and The boy emerge with your underwater stories of wonder and adventure.
Today, I got to cross off getting my new drivers license…not that big of deal, but it’s crossed off the list none the less. Much love and be safe under the waves. <3
Oh, and thank you, for doing what you do best, sharing each leap you make so very, very well!!
OH MY! Who knew this was right under our noses? Awesome. Thank you so much for sharing. I need to get myself over to this world of fabulousness.
Beautiful pictures, J. Thank you so much for sharing. They make me want to jump in the car right now and go!
My goodness, a post close to my own heart. Actually all your posts touch my heart. But this summer I took my already crazed health nut self and went a step further. I am close to going all organic.
I have my own garden: herbs, veggies, fruit, (even aromatherapy, like lavender). What I don’t have I buy at farmer’s markets. Plus all toiletries are now organic, i.e, shampoo, soap, suntan lotion, toothpaste, etc.
I was already cleaning with baking soda and vinegar, but now I’ve ditched the dryer sheets and use all natural (Trader Joes) laundry detergent.
I hope your friend made a convert out of you, if you weren’t already. The more folks in our court the better for our environment and ourselves.
(Did I leap too high off the cliff?)
Ralph, It is all an attempt to get you to visit me. How am I doing?
Joanne, Chad (the husband) too. Want to make sure everyone gets credit and Joanne-well-wishes. I’m very excited about going underwater. I will absolutely be reporting back!
Terre, I know! I felt that way the whole time we were there. It was like the secret side of Santa Cruz! So beautiful.
Tricia, No such thing as too high! I haven’t focused enough on organic choices beyond food. Thank you for your inspiration. (It only makes me love you more!)
Yeah I noticed, you’ve been slacking! ;-)
But when you bring us pictures like these, who could complain!
Stunning place and great photography :-)
Now…scuba?…
I’ll be looking for underwater tweets!
Wow J!! What a great day. Those pics are beautiful.
RSM, Why thank you! I would LOVE to tweet from underwater. Somehow I think the instructor might consider that a distraction. Just a guess.
Kevin, You ALWAYS make me smile. Thank you!
Well, then could mouth “Duh!” And show him your twitter handle! :-)
That made me laugh, Terre.
I’m with Terre on this! It’s a perfect fit!!
Scuba diving. Cool. That will open up a whole new world to explore for you and your family as well as present you with a lot of new options for vacations.
I just discovered you and your blog, so I really
don’t know if you were “on” or “off” of your
schedule. I do know that I really enjoyed your
post and the photos should all be made into a
beautiful calendar!
I am envious of both you and Tana that you got to meet irl and spend time together! BEAUTIFUL photographs ~ really love the art!
Very excited for you, Chad and The Boy to get to scuba dive! My daughter and granddaughter got to dive off Catalina Island a couple of months ago. They loved it!
Thanks for sharing your journey, j! Much love. *Big Squishy Hugs*
{I did check twice yesterday, just in case something had happened to the email notice of a new post ~ always willing to wait when it’s because you’re having fun!}
Just discovered @6FT3 is on Twitter! I go away for a couple of months and look what happens! ;-)
WOW! i love all the pictures – but especially the strawberries and the close-up of the chickens. And also all the sculpture (living and made) – I never expected you’d see all that on a farm tour. Makes me wanna go! When does the next tour leave?
Have fun on my favorite place on the planet (underwater) next weekend! (You’re gonna want an underwater camera next! :-D)
The horse sculpture was my favorite followed closely by those whimsical kites.
Gorgeous photos j!!! <–[excess punctuation required]
Glad you took some "me" time.
We survived.
[but just barely; there was a LOT of pining.]
:0)
CastFromHeaven, Future vacations, yay! It’s cold here. I don’t even know how to do it yet, and I can’t wait to dive some place tropical.
Brunch101, How sweet! (And what a cool idea. Hmmm…)
Dani, He has an account, but he doesn’t visit much. Twitter plays to my strengths (gabby, 140-character depth, scattered thoughts). Not really his style.
JB, The sculptures were part of an exhibit at a nursery, actually. Our wonderful guide didn’t limit us to farms. But it was beautiful. I’d go with you in a heartbeat if you want.
Karen, Thank you! The past week has been full of just amazing connection, and grounding in the physical world. I only wish more of you were here to play with me.
ps – i noticed you were missing! first, i blamed my google reader and then i remembered you were traveling.
pps – yay! farm field trip part 2 – let’s pick a date. :-D
This is GREAT! It’s been years since I’ve been up there but I have such good memories, and it has made me appreciate my local farms here. Wonderful pics. Thank you for sharing your trip!
P.S. You weren’t kidding about Tana Butler being a good photographer! Awesome.
jb, I will email you!
Louise, Thank you! The farms are so pretty and so far removed from the massive commercial production that is industrial farming. Tana is an amazing (far better than I) photographer, but I did take all these pictures.
Your pictures are wonderful!
My fault for the confusion: I had clicked on Tana’s name in your post and looked at her website before writing my p.s. comment. I should’ve said so. You are both talented. x
Lovely pics J! How great of Tana to show you around, although I may have heard from somewhere – that she is smitten with the two of you, (like everyone who meets you) so I’m sure she had a great time as well! Fantastic pics! Of course we all notice you were off schedule on the posts, but we were too polite to say anything (until you mentioned it anyway). XO thanks J for beautiful pictures to start my Friday! xoxo :o)
Louise, Oh! Oops! But the “you are both talented” is like happily ever after.
Caroline, You say all the right things. (And knit too! Damn, woman!) ;-)
i used to hang out in the hills above santa cruz, friends lived in boulder creek & used to visit a farm up there, forget the name of it but used to wander around when stopping by to pick up stuff. my friends got divorced and there went my creek side hangout in the redwoods
They couldn’t stay together for the sake of “our little Keith,” huh? The farms Tana has brought us to don’t look like what I think of when I think of farms. They’re beautiful.
yea this farm’s a pretty neato one too, not like the dusty one i grew up on – with all those turkeys. yea my mtn pals disbanding like that, guess if they really liked me they would have made arrangements for me to lounge at someone elses place. well it would need to be creek side & buried in the woods + have a hot tub, and a hammock.
Creek side, hot tub and a hammock, huh? You don’t ask for much… in a farm.