Attack of the Flies

Posted by Nicole

I woke up this morning and headed out for a run.  I thought that I would beat the heat because I ran at 9:45, but I sure didn’t :(  It was hot!!! I ran about 2.3 miles and tracked my progress using my newly downloaded Runkeeper app.  I wanted to compare Runkeeper and Nike+… I’m still not sure which I prefer.

After my run, I attempted to cool down in my hot house, but wasn’t very successful.  I heated up my overnight oats (oatmeal, cinnamon, syrup, chopped cherries, almond extract) in the microwave and drank a peanut butter/banana smoothie.

Vanessa picked me up at 11 so we could enjoy the beautiful day at the beach in Santa Cruz.  I was in Santa Cruz just a few days ago, and I was happy to be going back!  Santa Cruz is fairly close, but you have to drive a curvy highway to get there.  It was Vanessa’s first time driving highway 17, which basically goes through a mountain and is always a scary drive that requires lots of focus.  She drove it like a pro, and I was happy I didn’t die ;)

We parked at metered parking and made our way into the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.  Founded in 1907, this place is a landmark of Santa Cruz that offers various rides (most notably the Giant Dipper), lots of food, a huge arcade, and many gift shops.  Plus, it is all along the beautiful ocean!  Looking at the ocean from the top of a roller coaster– unbeatable view!

We walked around, but didn’t get any ride tickets because they are mucho expensivo.  We made our way to the actual “boardwalk” pier that extends into the beautiful blue Pacific.  Vanessa and I were already dying of heat, and my caffeine-loving self was desperate for some refreshing soda.

We entered Marini’s, a candy/ice cream shop that is very well-known for its taffy, fudge, caramel apples, and chocolate covered bacon.  Also, this place is special because my friend Madeleine is going to work there this summer– her first day training is tomorrow!  I think that’s an excuse to visit her a lot this summer, am I right?

I got a can of Diet Coke for $1.50 (ripoff), but justified the price by sampling their generous offerings of “kitchen table” white chocolate, caramel apple with peanuts, and assorted taffy.  I snatched a peanut butter taffy, a bit of apple, and two pieces of the white chocolate bark.  That, my friends, is called getting your money’s worth!  Vanessa purchased a caramel apple with peanuts to bring back home and split with her mom.  She also sampled some taffy, but she got unlucky and accidentally chose black licorice and peppermint- what a shame!

We walked back to the sand and laid out for about an hour.  We were positioned between some kelp/seaweed/nastystuff, but figured it would be a nice enough spot.  About 45 minutes into our tanning session, a swarm of flies basically attacked us.  I believe I said, “OK NO, this is NOT OKAY.  We need to move.”  We got up, shook off our towels, and decided that was enough tanning for the day.

Ready for lunch, we drove to downtown Santa Cruz, the same area featuring the vegetarian Saturn Cafe that Lauren and I enjoyed a few days back.  We roamed around and eventually chose to eat at Taqueria Vallarta.  I ordered a vegetarian tostada for only $3.95 (hard tortilla, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, guacamole) and added about 3 pounds of salsa and Tapatío.  Vanessa got a combo meat enchilada/taco plate with rice and refried beans for $7.95.  We also got a complimentary basket of chips and open access to their salsa bar.

After adding enough hot sauce to turn my tostada into a plate of soup, I demolished it.  The best part was dipping chips into my spicy jumble of food and making “super nachos.”  Vanessa also loved her meal.  She said “that was the best carne asada I’ve had in a LONG time.”  I’d say it was a good eatery choice!

With super stuffed bellies, we roamed around downtown and stopped to check for bargain clothing at Crossroads.  I purchased a charcoal lace croptop-shirt that I doubt anyone else would buy.  I love wearing weird things…  We also stopped at Old School Shoes to check out their collection of shoes and funky socks.

We got back to the car to see someone parked SO close to us.  Only in California…

After the 45-minute drive back to San Jose, we were ready for food round two.  We stopped at our favorite place… Yogurtland!  Because it was 4:30 PM, it wasn’t unbearably busy like it normally is!  Gee, I missed their heavenly coconut.  And, I think granola is my new topping of choice!  It adds crunch and sweetness, and doesn’t soften when mixed into the froyo.  I just need to make sure I avoid granola with sunflower seeds in it– I know that doesn’t taste good!

It was such a great day to spend with my best friend!  Later tonight, I’m bringing along Vanessa and another high school friend, McCarthy, to watch Lauren do the Hellfire challenge (FOR REAL this time).  Hopefully she doesn’t burn all her taste buds off!

I hope your Monday was fun!  If you’re at work, hang in there… Monday is basically over and then it’s all downhill to the weekend ;)

Q4U: Do you use a running app?  Runkeeper or Nike+?

Both, still figuring out which is better.

Q4U: Do you like roller coasters?  Which is your favorite?

YES!  I really like the rides at Disneyland– Space Mountain, etc.  I hate rides that drop really quickly though… like Drop Zone at Great America… yikes.

Q4U: Favorite taffy flavor!

BANANA!!!  It’s the best.  Forever.