Santa Cruz - Day before Easter 2015

A bit late on this one. I'll keep it short.

We headed up north to see the family over Easter weekend. We drove the 101 and stayed in Morro Bay. I'd recommend that to anyone travelling between Southern California to Northern California if you have the time. And if you don't, take the 101 all the way anyway if you want to keep your mental health intact. I've been making the on the 5 drive two to three time a year my entire life and I must say, at my age, the 101 (or ANY other route for that matter) makes a huge difference. 101 is just gorgeous, and lack of semis is worth the extra 50 miles alone. And there is a great In-n-Out in Santa Maria with its own park for a nice dose of california burgers, palm trees, and sun.

Although my parents live in Silicon Valley, we decided to stay on the other side of the hill to take our 9-year-old to meet Giant Dipper North for the first time (homework consisted of a showing of "The Lost Boys"). We were within walking distance of the boardwalk, and hit up Las Palmas Taco Bar for some deliciyoso burritos de lengua before having it all shook down. Gian Dipper was running wonderfully that Friday night and we couldn't wait to meet up with the rest of my siblings and partners for a more extended day the following Saturday.

After mas lengua (don't worry, it's not all they sell) and beer at Las Palmas the next day, we headed to the boardwalk and bought ride bands the following day. In retrospect, we probably should have gotten tickets because it was fairly crowded (although the wait for the Dipper was ~20 minutes thanks to a crack crew).

We noticed 20 oz cans in the crowd and were pleased to discover multiple stands selling tall boys. While nursing Modellos, a front started to move in that took out most of the unbrellas and shade structures on the beach. Good times. :)

My brothers and cousins took our son on The Tornado spinning ride and cranked it up to 11, a family tradition that I respectfully no longer participate in (especially after the beer). After a final round on the Dipper, we parted ways until our Easter get-together the next morning.

It was a wonderful trip that we won't soon forget. What a great place folks! And don't miss the Bazooka tennis ball guns. Fun times.

Salt air and a really well-maintained classic wooden coaster.

We always talked about IB as "packing the rides in there," but SCBB takes the cake. That place is a Lusse auto-skooter away from being my favorite park west of Elysburg.

I'm pretty sure they used to have two of those! ):