Three days after returning from Japan I headed out on a road trip with a couple of my high school buddies.  Destination:  Aptos, a small town just south of Santa Cruz. Purpose:  A very long weekend with more high school buddies crafting and just hangin’ out.

It couldn’t have been a more perfect day for a drive up the coast.

Since it was a Thursday we decided to spend the night in San Luis Obispo.  My pals had never been to SLO on a Thursday night.  This is the night that the whole town turns out to wander and shop at the farmers market.

Blocks and blocks of downtown SLO are closed off for the market.  Restaurants bring out big bbq grills and serve up delicious Santa Maria tri-tip.  It’s really fun to check out the produce (we bought a lot!)

and listen to the street musicians

and people watch.

And you can’t go to SLO without visiting Bubble Gum Alley.  The first row of bubble gum was started when Chris and I were in college there back in the mid-70’s.

And speaking of Chris and me in the mid-70’s – here’s the famous dumpster where we first met.

Aside from bubble gum alley and the dumpster, SLO is also known for its beautiful mission

founded by our buddy the newly sainted Junipero Serra.

I’ve always liked the happy flowers painted along the walls.

And this is new on the plaza in front of the mission.

Back on the road the next day we continued our incredible drive up the coast on Hwy. 1.

There was so much to see along the way.

Pelicans in formation.

Elephant seals basking in the sun.

Zebras grazing with cows.

Acres of artichokes.

And an amazing vegetable stand with the best prices I’ve seen in years.  Probably because we were in the middle of the fields.

And at last we arrive in Aptos ready for a lot of crafting fun.