Sometimes I forget how lucky we are to live so close to the ocean. I really need to make a better effort to visit more, but life gets in the way. A short 30 minute drive is all that stands in the way of me and that salt water breeze. Other than a quick stop at the In N Out drive-through, nothing is more fulfilling. Since I was fortunate enough to have yesterday off (thank you very much Martin Luther King), we took a little day trip to Santa Cruz. We brought our beach chairs and books (I’m reading Jodi Picoult’s new book, “Leaving Time” – so far I love it); the water is not nearly warm enough to enjoy. Let’s be honest, it’s never warm enough to enjoy in northern California.Of course, the water may be intolerable, but the views are spectacular. Sitting there for even an hour is as relaxing as sleeping in on a Saturday. Which tops my list of relaxing activities that I try to complete every week.Because my husband grew up in this area, he knows some of the ‘must-stops’ in Santa Cruz. Yesterday we stopped at Marianne’s Ice Cream for a treat on the way home. It was a holiday after all. Marianne’s has been around for decades, and I’m not sure anything has changed since the day they opened. The inside is almost like a hole-in-the-wall type, but the ice cream speaks for itself. With over 70 flavors each day, it would be impossible not to find something you’d enjoy. Or maybe it is impossible. There are just too many choices! My husband tends to stick to the basics, so while he just ordered “chocolate” (seriously? I said SEVENTY flavors), I tried the Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough. It was amazing. I’ve never had anything like it, and I will definitely be back to taste it again. You know, just to make sure it’s still up to par.Yesterday was one of those days that make you happy to be alive. Hopefully your holiday was equally as great. What did you do?