A Perfect Aptos Summer Weekend

July 4, 2011 represented the end of a perfect Aptos summer weekend.
What was right was a: The Weather; b: Nicene Marks; c: The Musitelli Handball BBq: d: Cabrillo College- Full Monty summer musical.

Let me start with my favorite part - our (Kate and I) bike ride to the epicenter. We hauled the bikes through the entrance - paid out guest fee(though nothing in a California state park is staffed) and landed this side of the bridge just before the main creek flow. We went for about 45 minutes and we had to catch the library open before we got home. This is a ride we take often - but havent yet done this year. The forest is so peaceful and primeval. We were the oldest riders - but quite a few older people were taking walks. There has been lots of rain this year so the road was rutty and still muddy in places.

This was all done on Saturday - but we had also decided to take in the "Full Monty" at the new Cabrillo College performing arts building. The Full Monty was wonderful. We had seats to the side but still could readily appreciate the performance. The acoustics were good and the stage was ample. The actors were talented young professionals including some theater arts students from UCSC. The first half of the play was overly long.  The second half was snappy with a satisfactory Holywood resolution. The neardowell out of work factory employee father makes good on his promise to his co-workers and especially his son.

The weather for Aptos was the best and Kate made use of our solar heated pool. She made fresh lemonade from a bumper crop of our tree and swum laps and jacuzzed each day. Even Joe and friends came by for a short swim. The pool and a per swim cost basis is by far our biggest luxury. This karmic-ly balances our walks and bicycle rides that are free and a marvelous luxury. 

The handball Musitteli July 4th bbq was very nice. I had Arnie's Chili, Austen's Shrimp, Wes' Margaretta's and skirt steak and everyone's wine. Ted and his girlfriend Julia came for a first time. Dave and Anita, Gus and Joy, Gary and Betsy, ... were all there. Lots of talk and fine food with the weather cooperating. I even drove both directions.

Great weekend, great fun and lots of appreciation for the local community and the local geography and weather.