Santa Cruz, CA - 10/15-22/10

2000+ yr Granfather tree - 250 ft tall!

Santa Cruz is a cool place. We immediately loved the redwoods, the ocean, the old hippie-ness, the relaxed style, the diversity, and the center of consciousness exploration. We could see ourselves hanging here for a while, and we might be back in November after some more explorations north along the coast of CA and Oregon.

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I feel at home being near the ocean. The Pacific is wild and cold, and a great place for kitesurfers (see video – they fly!) A visit to Natural Bridges gave us not only a pretty coastline vista but also a not-to-be missed visit with thousands of monarch butterflies who winter over in the aromatic eucalyptus trees and feast on the local milkweed.

Nature is beautiful here. The walk among and inside the giant ancient redwoods was magical, and we got to hang with our buddy Rob who moved here from Gloucester 5 yrs ago; he loves it here.

Rob introduced us to Ahuti and Svargo, who rented us their backyard cabin in the redwoods. It was a retreat space for us, greatly appreciated after being on the road for 2 months. This one-week stay was the longest in any place since we left Ipswich, and it was a great temporary home. Ahuti is an acupuncturist and Svargo teaches zen art (http://www.svargozen.com/); they are long-time meditators and Osho disciples. We enjoyed getting to know them and following tips from them and Rob to get to know the area.

We went to an art show of a friend of Ahuti and Svargo, a woman named Coeleen Kiebert who lost her son several years ago. We talked about our grieving and her spiritual insights, and she showed us the sculptures she did to assist her in that process. Her latest series is the Bardo Navigators, whimsical characters outfitted in navigational equipment to move through the Bardo after death and before the next life.

Santa Cruz is a new age center, and that also makes us feel right at home and also inspired. We hung out for an afternoon with 80-year old silent Baba Hari Das at the Madonna Center on a Himalayan-style mountain and joined a ritual at the Hanuman temple.

Peggy Black's Water from 300+ sacred world places

We met an ex-surfer spiritual teacher named Moki, and reunited with Kule’s friends and NVC (Non-Violent Communication) leader Kelly Bryson (and his partner Torrie), as well as famous sound-healer and spiritual channeler Peggy Black (http://www.morningmessages.com/) who I knew through NESHRI (now Sound Healing Network).

I could see myself doing more sound healing and music here as well as networking for my book and getting Jason’s photography and music out there. Kule is also looking forward to launching is personal growth facilitator practice. This town has a graduate degree in consciousness!

Our next stop was Sebastopol to reunite and perform with Christine and Kem of our old healing music ensemble Bluegate, and to reunite with Kule’s friend Dakini from Sufi Abode days. We will post more about Marin county area in the next post….Now on the way to NY to do a training on Zegg Forum, a great tool to build community, something we love to do!