THINGS TO DO

Derek Timm, Mayor’s message | Going with the flow, enjoying Scotts Valley by bicycle

By DEREK TIMM

UPDATED: October 31, 2021 at 2:15 PM PDT

The rules seem to be changing all the time, and it is hard not to get frustrated. Not just government rules, but social norms. First bump, handshake or stand awkwardly? Indoors or out?

There is a lot to be said for going with the flow. When the rules change, practicing flexibility reduces stress, and allows you to adapt to changes. It also takes the frustration out of those daily decisions that can be anxiety inducing. Shifting in this manner, allows for presence in the moment.

My wife jokes that- like Forest Gump, when I go with the flow- things seem to go very well. We had a great Forest Gump-like day just biking around Scotts Valley last week. We didn’t have any particular path laid out; we just knew that it started with coffee.

We decided to try the new Cruise Coffee shop on Kings Village Road, and we were sure glad we did. I found out that not only did they have great coffee, but they also had a full bakery run by the owners of the Hot Pink Box. I enjoyed a great latte and from the bakery we picked up a fresh blueberry muffin and one of the best scones I’ve ever eaten. They have a wonderful outside patio that faces our library and future Community Theater.

I noticed the theater doors were open, so after breakfast we rode over to check out the latest progress. The Theater Guild volunteers were there assembling the stage and laying out the curtains. Seats donated by the Bellagio were stacked nearby ready to be assembled. The rafters were filled with hundreds of show lights, and Ray Gorski of the Guild was beaming from the stage- “We are getting close!” They are hoping to produce a show there before the end of the year.

We then rode through Skypark and the surrounding neighborhood. The Skypark fields were still closed from the damage done by the heavy fire-fighting vehicles stationed there last year during the CZU Complex fire. However, you could see that the damage had been repaired and the new grass was almost tall enough to cut. Hats off to public works, who let us know that the fields would be open on Sept. 20. Just in time for soccer season!

Leaving Skypark we biked across the old airport runway to the new Hangar building. The line was already forming for the new Penny Ice Creamery shop. Although the patio at the future home of Faultline Brewery was not open yet, the fire tables and seating areas looked very inviting. We could picture enjoying a lot of fun events and meals there in the future.

From there, we stopped off at the Farmers Market in its temporary location in the Kmart parking lot, to pick up some fresh veggies for dinner. A folk band was playing to the delight of shoppers and the market was bustling. We were temped to buy more, but there was only so much we could fit in our backpack. The Farmers Market is there every Saturday from 9am-1pm.

We decided to take the long way home along Bean Creek Road. You instantly feel like you’ve entered a national forest when you make the turn, and it has a steep enough climb at the end to provide a good workout. As we approached the midway point, the Pelican Ranch Winery gate was open.

We pulled in, and the owner Phil greeted us with a smile. He welcomed us like family, and we sat and chatted with him and tasted some delicious wines. The Santa Rita Hills Pinot and the Russian River Sauvignon Blanc were our favorites. We also enjoyed some of Phil’s handmade pizzas and German pretzels for lunch. After convincing ourselves that we needed to join the wine club, we decided to call it a day.

When we returned home, my wife was laughing at what a fun experience it was. True to Forest Gump form, the day couldn’t have been scripted better. For me, it was so refreshing to see so many businesses in our community thriving and the genuine smiles everywhere we went.   Looking forward to where the flow will take us next.

Mayor’s message is a Sunday column written by Scotts Valley Mayor Derek Timm.

Originally Published: September 18, 2021 at 3:30 PM PDT