Let’s go surfin’ in the 21st Century, Dude!
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I often wonder what the future will look like. Sometimes, when I’m out on my bike I get a preview. That’s what made me stop and take this picture while riding on 41st past Freeline Surf Shop. My imagination didn’t have to dial the time machine forward very far. Let’s say in a few years. You think we’ll be seeing a lot more of these? We’ll see. 
What are those things?
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Have you seen those funny/cute/weird little yellow two-seat vehicles around Santa Cruz lately? I saw a woman getting into one the other day and it turned out to be one of the owners of a new business in town that rents them. Her name is Judy (her partner is named Lynne) and the name of the business is Cruz Carz. She told me they are specially designed, open air, twin-seat scooters that can be rented by the hour or day. They can even be leased. It really looked like a fun ride, so I asked her if it was.
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- Cruz Car at street level
“Yeah,” said Judy, “It really is a fun way to get around town. Plus, the mileage is great.” In fact, the little scooters use a 100cc gas engine that gets up to 80 miles per gallon. And from what I could see, driving one looked pretty simple. It steered like a bike and the hand brakes worked the same, too. But, like a motorcycle, the accelerator is operated by turning the handle and you need to wear a helmet (she said they provide that). But in case you might be worried, it’s easier than a bike or a motorcycle to drive because there’s no need to shift gears. Forget the freeway. It can only go up to 45mph. But, why would you want to go on the freeway if you’re in one of these?
Judy gave me her business card before she left and I decided that I should check this out in person. Later, I followed the directions on the back of the card. It showed the location of Cruz Carz was just past the Santa Cruz Police Department building on Center St at Washington. Whoa! Couldn’t miss that building, painted bright yellow like the scooters! I parked on the curb and went inside where maybe a half a dozen yellow scooters were parked and ready to go.
So what happened next? Check it out here.
Bikes, Kites and Flights
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On a windy Wednesday, I grabbed a few quick videos while riding my bike in SC:
Downtown I ran into a couple of locals practicing near the Rittenhouse building. I can only wonder how long it takes to be able to do this stuff without breaking bones and bruising flesh!
Then, while cruising along West Cliff, I spotted a kite surfer screaming across the water in front of Lighthouse Beach. First, going out a few hundred yards and then turning back to shore with the on-shore wind, he would hit the surf line at speed, getting big, big air and then busting a flip or two. What a show! No admission, either.
Then off the cliff nearby, I noticed a group of gulls facing virtually motionless up into the wind just above. They take turns like riding on an “elevator”, rising up and then getting off at the top and drifting back down again. They do this over and over. Why? I’ve seen this before and often wondered. My only guess is that, like the kite surfer, they’re having a little fun on a windy day! You think?
If you know the answer, please share!
Weekend Rummage Sale Benefits Abandoned Cats
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While on my way downtown this morning I saw something that caught my attention. At the vacant lot on the corner of Thurber Lane and Soquel Drive, just south of Dominican and opposite Wells Fargo Bank, a lot of trucks, boxes, people and stuff — lots of stuff — were being put out on tarps and tables that were quickly filling up the large, weedy lot.
I took some pictures and talked with Lynne Achterberg who is also project manager and a board member for an organization called Project Purr (watch the short video). I found out that it is a non-profit organization intended to care for abandoned cats and their feral offspring. Funds from events like this weekend’s go toward paying for spaying and neutering in order to keep feral populations in check and to prevent their suffering. Project Purr volunteers organize and host a rummage sale twice a year at this location.
It was still early when I left but according to Lynne, the stuff won’t stop coming until this evening when a security team will take over and she and the other volunteers can get some sleep before returning early when the gate opens sharply at 7 a.m. tomorrow. Frankly, I’ll be back, too!
Informal Group Gets New Name – Caffeine Cruizers
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It’s not unusual when I stumble across something fun going on in Santa Cruz as I go about my day. It doesn’t matter where in town I happen to be or what time it is. So, when I was leaving the 41st Ave Safeway to return to my car this morning, an unusual number of people milling in front of the Starbucks (just opposite Beverly’s Fabrics) inspired me to go take a look to see what was happening over there.
As I approached I began to notice that the people were milling around some very cool cars. I wondered if it might be some car club, but according to one of the guys in the parking lot, it just kind of evolved. Now, between about 7AM until about 9:30AM on Saturdays’ a large and friendly group of mostly men congregate with coffee’s in their hands, sipping, laughing, and talking in small groups as they check out the cars that have shown up to be admired.
“There’s no formal name but people have started to call it, The Caffeine Cruise”, said one man who comes regularly.
The photos I took represent only part of what I saw. Everyone was friendly and eager to answer any questions I had. It definitely got me off to a good start for the weekend. If you have any interest in cars or just love to see something that is both American history and American art, I’d suggest you stop by some Saturday and enjoy the Cruise…I mean Cruize!
Live Oak Fire Quickly Extinguished
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The fire department was called to a fire this morning at approximately 8:40 a.m. in the Live Oak neighborhood. The fire was limited to Sp 4 in the Trailer Haven mobile home park, 2630 Portola Dr.
It was quickly extinguished by fire fighters from the Central Fire District. There were no injuries, according to Fire Inspector, Mike DeMars. Only one person was in the structure at the time. The fire was still under investigation when this story was filed.
Parking Lot Serves as Rest Spot
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This last week in a Live Oak parking lot, a man rested comfortably in what looked like a well furnished open air camp site. It wasn’t long before his rest was interrupted by a deputy.
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