The finals and graduation have come and gone, and the time has finally arrived for me to leave Santa Cruz. It's been four long years since I moved to this city, yet it only seems like yesterday that I discovered bike trails connected to UCSC campus. To recapture all the great memories I had as a Banana Slug, I went out for my last campus ride...

An oasis hidden between the busy streets leading up to campus. I discovered it during my first morning run in Santa Cruz.

College 8, B Quad, 2nd floor - my home during a sophomore year.

I walked this path hundreds of times on my way to class...and I'm still amazed by the size of these trees.

The entrance to upper-campus trails - the gateway to mountain biking bliss.

When I first began mountain biking, it was just a form of cross-training while recovering from a running-inury. Back then all I wanted to ride on was a wide, flat trails that I can ride without worrying about crashing...

...but it was only a matter of time before I discovered the joy of going off the main trail.

My first drop-off took place here...

...and I nailed my first bunny-hop by thcleared it. I remember straining my quads after that ride.

This is a smooth, fast trail that's just a blast to ride...and it leads to the UCSC firehouse.

The few, the proud, the UCSC Fire Department. Notice the banana slug mascot with a hose.

Steep as it looks - this staircase is by the brand new bookstore, and I rode it for the very first time this weekend.

Upper Quarry - this was the place which held campus orientation for prospective students. I still remember coming to this place four years ago, overwhelmed by the school's natural beauty.

The building on the right is Earth & Marine...a lecture hall that I attended for many of my psychology classes.

Science Library - my second home during exam weeks.

The view from the "scenic route" - I'm really going to miss it.

Forever slug.

K-Zero