Moore cows

Moore Creek Preserve, Santa Cruz, California

Moore Creek Fog

Looking toward the Pacific Ocean from Moore Creek Preserve before the fog burns off. See other Moore Creek posts for comparison.

Santa Cruz, California

Moore Creek Canyon

Moore Creek Canyon, Santa Cruz, California

(Click the photo for the full-sized view.)

Cows

These are two of my favorite runs in the world. One thing they have in common is... cows!

Stone Hill, Williamstown, Massachusetts

Moore Creek Preserve, Santa Cruz, California

Stone Hill

This is probably my favorite place to run on the east coast. Also probably why I like Moore Creek in Santa Cruz so much.

Stone Hill, Williamstown, Massachusetts

Moore Creek Preserve

This is probably my current favorite place to run or hike. Moore Creek is on the western edge of Santa Cruz. It's a city park but also an active cattle ranch. On a clear day, you can see across Monterey Bay all the way to Monterey.

Moore Creek Preserve, Santa Cruz, California

Today, the fog rolled in like a giant wave, obscuring the ocean. This picture seemed to call for black and white.

Moore Creek Preserve, Santa Cruz, California

Monterey Bay

After moving to California from the East coast, it took me a while to get used to the fact that driving toward the ocean is generally west, not east. Even more confusing is that Santa Cruz faces due south, so the ocean is not to the west here, unless you head north or south of town.

In any case, some days the views in any direction are sublime. We've gotten some rain this winter, so the fields are looking pretty lush again. This is the view looking south toward Monterey from the Coastal View trail in Moore Creek preserve just west of Santa Cruz.

Monterey Bay from the Moore Creek Preserve, Santa Cruz, California

Moore Creek Canyon Trail

Moore Creek Canyon, Santa Cruz, California.

My favorite run/hike in the city of Santa Cruz. It rained on Saturday, and, though we're still in the midst of a drought, everything is green right now, including the meadows.

Beach and Pasture

Went for a beach walk on Saturday, then a bike/run in the hills just west of Santa Cruz. Click on the photographs for a larger view.

Manresa State Beach, Watsonville, California

Moore Creek Preserve, Santa Cruz, California. Looking south across the Monterey Bay.