The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, Aptos, CA

Thanks to the help of a trusted co-worker, I was able to wow a guest and myself with a relatively short day trip to this super scenic state park. It's near Aptos, so you can find things to do before and after in town, or in nearby towns, like Capitola.

The trail map you can get at the ranger station ($8/day parking pass) is pretty spotty, but a local "guide" was walking the trails and helped us stay on track. He also pointed out the trail down to the now felled "Advocate Tree". This was a priority on my list for the day.

The hiking is pretty up and down, with some challenges thrown in for good measure, like a stream crossing or two. (if for some reasons its rained a ton before you go, trails may be washed out).

Can you see the people below? These are big trees, Folks.

A short walk down to the Advocate Tree is worth it, hands down. This tree is HUGE and old too.

Basically all that brown is tree.

It's so big, there are portions of the trunk that a human can easily crawl/jump/stand in. It's very big.

If you feel up to it, you can also test your balance (and possibly cranium) with a long and high walk over this log. I did not make it all the way across, but I think I would like to try.

For sure put this state park on your list. Way cool. I'd go back any day.

Bedroom Desserts, Capitola, CA

I have no real idea what this store is for, due to it being closed when I arrived there, but I think we can all infer. Don't forget to read "Our Story" too.

People can find success in so many ways in the world these days. Good on you.

The Seaside City of Capitola, CA

If you've been looking for a place to retire, and can afford it, I think you should give this city a look. Beachfront access, beachfront hotels, beach access, plus fun shops, bars and restaurants. I'm not sure what else you'd need to while away your silver years. That's not giving it full credit either - it's a great spot for any age and is easily one of my favorite places so far in CA.

Don't believe me? Have a look...

  

Come, sneak onto the beach with me...

Let me know when you'd like me to take you there, tours available.

What could top off a day in Capitola better than ice cream? Nothing. Two scoops please...

Snowee Rolls, Morgan Hill, CA

You've heard of this ice cream sensation that's sweeping the nation, right!? Ice Cream Rolls? In a nutshell, they mix and make your ice cream right in front of you on freezing cold metal plates. At the end, they "roll" it up and stick it in a cup for you.

Now, I like to think of myself as something of an ice cream aficionado, but honestly, I'm not getting it on this one. That doesn't mean that it tasted bad, but I can't see myself doing it again for the price. I have a great Mexican ice cream place that's much closer to me, and more than half the price.

They do put on a little show though, so I can see why they might get a lot of people to start, but I don't know how they'll keep people coming back. You can basically watch the whole process from them making my "S'mores" flavor rolls.

Ingredients on the freeze plate...

Add ice cream base...

Mix it to hell...

Spread it out for freezing...

Roll it up for serving...

For my money, I would not only mix-up the flavor toppings into the ice cream, but I would also ask to spread more, less disintegrated, flavor mix ins into the final sheet before it's rolled up. As it is, you get some of the flavors coming through, but it's all been beat to hell by the spatulas. It isn't a great mouth feel, imo.

For the cost ($8 at this place) you also don't seem to get much more than one scoop of ice cream. That's really expensive for so-so ice cream. I think I can get a entire half-gallon at the supermarket for that cost, or a couple pints of premium ice cream on sale.

Maven's Creamery, San Jose, CA

How do you feel about macaroons?

And I don't mean the constant battle to know if when someone says "macaroon" they mean the Jewish kind or the French kind. I never know what people mean using just the word "macaroon" and it drives me nuts, knowing I love to eat both kinds.

To be clear, the Jewish kind is a coconut-based dessert or cookie almost only available near their Passover holiday - the French kind is the cookie sandwich made of airy cookies with some kind of rich genache filling in the middle (and very trendy of late).

Guess what, we now have a third variety - and I love it too!

A local California creamery makes a macaroon from the airy French cookies, and then fills it with premium ice cream in the middle! Why didn't you think of that!?

I recently had one at a work event, then recalled they are also offered near our office in a bubble tea shop. For $3.50, this made the day. At the bubble tea shop, they offer about 10 varieties - I chose a simple Cookies n Cream version for myself. Blue cookies with normal ice cream in the middle. Everyone called it "Cookie Monster".

Let the ice cream soften! Then it's gloriously devoured.

F'en get one (or ten)!!!

PS - they don't ship well, at all... well, maybe with dry ice... hmmm....

FeiYue Shoes, Morgan Hill, CA (by way of China)

I don't know why it's taken me so long, but I'm going to post about one of my favorite topics on the planet - shoes. Kicks. Sneakers. (Who has some other words?!)

While in China, I noticed a co-worker in the office wearing a brand I'd never heard of, FeiYue. I mean, granted, I did realize I was in China. It was a very simple shoe that reminded me of Ked's or Converse here in the US. I did some more research when I got back to the States, with some help of that co-worker, and landed me-self a pair of my very own. They cost me a whole $18 on eBay. I also deduced their sizing and went with my Euro size, so I believe fit will not be an issue.

They arrived from China via China Post (wild, right?). I can not get over their wrapping/packaging. What you see below arrived in two normal, Mylar-ish shipping "bags", one containing the shoes, and then that stuff into one final outer bag. So, after peeling through these two bags, this is what I found...

Can we talk about the retro-feel for a minute? Or the Pinocchio character!?!? I mean, Gepetto was a cobbler, no?

It was as if a shoe burrito was just delivered to my home... shoes wrapped in a paper sack.

Who needs tape? Just wrap the shoes in their own shoelaces - done!

Yes, they're not for everyone in terms of style, but they always remind me of the trip, and now this packaging.

No idea what this says. I'm guessing it's like a thank-you note.