Summer quotes - "Getting out of the bubble"

The other day one little boy comes up to me and says "Mom,we need to get out of the bubble!" Uh-oh, looks like he caught the bug, I'd heard variations of this from another quarter - "The middle class trap- how do we get out of it" or " This model is not sustainable, we need to find another way!" and many more along the same lines accompanied by loud sighs. But not to worry, it wasn't the 8 yr old trying to make sense of the daily grind - he was quoting his martial arts master who was trying to drum up some enthusiasm for a 4 mile hike on a 100+ hot Saturday!
Of course, I have my own ideas of 'Getting out of the bubble' that doesn't involve a whole lot of sweating and panting- Strawberry Picking, the beach, Tech Museum of San Jose and The Exploratorium which is where we were last week. What better way to get out of the bubble than spend time with family and friends, taking in California's bounty and stimulating the grey cells with a good dose of hands-on science.

Swanton Berry Farms are my favourite- gorgeous views, great tasting organic berries and the best part of it all - their "Honest Till". The whole concept was out of the world to me the first time I saw it and continues to amaze me every time- some things are only possible in the "Republic of Santa Cruz!" Now this idea is culturally impossible back home in India- don't ask me why...
Check this out:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/06/11/154750001/the-psychology-of-the-honor-system-at-the-farm-stand
UPDATE: Here you go, eating my own words and happy to do so :). One of my readers pointed out that there is indeed a version of the 'Honest Till' back home- ' The Gandhigiri Shop' started by a very enterprising MBA student. Check it out here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRpFazoNykc

Miles and miles of berries...heaven!

 

The Honest Till...

 

The Iconic pickup truck with the Strawberry- features in every summer shot.

And here's one of the many outcomes of the Swanton Berries- Strawberry Ice cream!

 

Borrowed from the Blentec recipes, its more like a soft serve consistency.

http://www.blendtec.com/recipes/quick_strawberry_ice_cream

 

And like us if you're already in the vicinity, you have to hit the beaches- Natural Bridges is another old time favorite - named after the three natural arches/bridges that jutted out into the sea from the cliffs, though only the middle one remains standing today. Check out the eucalyptus groves during late fall and early winter for migrating Monarch butterflies.

 

 

As for the Tech Museum and The Exploratorium, that's a whole 'nother blog- 'Getting out of the Bubble' Part 2 maybe...it IS nice to get out of the bubble!