Holidays in the Santa Ynez Valley

  

Emily rode with me on the way up to Lompoc (pronounced Lom-poke) and we had a pleasant time. Gina insisted on sitting on her lap so she could look out the window. Emily was obliging even though it made our coffee and donuts from Donut Prince a bit more challenging. The traffic gave way to rolling verdant hills, farms and vineyards. We had an impromptu stop in Santa Barbara, which I had never been to,
walked on the beach, had a nice chat and explore and headed on our way. It looks like another great town to spend time in.

We arrived at the very pastoral Airbnb ranch house that Emily had found and Gina was delighted to discover ground squirrels, goats and space to be a dog-although

we started her on a leash. Later in the week she graduated to Freedom but this spot was superlative for man, women and beasts! Andrew came up with Emily's car later in the day and was equally pleased with the surroundings. Sitting in the evening sun at the end of the day with a glass, or at the beginning of the day with coffee you could watch the birds, jackrabbits and a bobcat over the acre of vineyards. Really, we are so very very fortunate for our lives and opportunities. We had the first night to ourselves, the next day we could do our Christmas grocery shopping and settle in before Mark, Kristen and Will joined us after their long day of travel.

It was so great to see everyone after my days on the road and to all be together as a family. Too soon the gang had to depart- so early in the morning for the Easterners. Emily, Andrew and I wrapped up things at the house and they headed home while I putzed around the area, camping near  The area is abundant with vineyards and areas to explore. Mark and Kristen had several bike rides up and down the hills and we enjoyed sampling the local vineyards, bringing home some accompaniments to our dinners and cocktail hour. As well as that it is quite beautiful and a pleasure to spend an R&R time in. There is some old history here, Spanish

missions, Gold Rush overflow, and old settlements. The town of Solvang is basically an open Scandinavian mall although I would have liked some more design stores and less restaurants. That being said it was crowded with a global audience and had a festive air.  Los Alamos is an old stagecoach stop and although it doesn't have many stores, it too has tasting rooms, restaurants and a Western flavor.

Emily arranged a delicious and extravagant dinner in Los Olivos [ a town chock full of eateries and wine tasting venues] at a place called Bar Le Cote. It was great fun. We ate early and long so got home fully sated at a reasonable hour and got to see some of the Christmas lights as an after dinner bonus. Mark made an excellent driver for us and we didn't have to worry about windy roads or our own poor night vision.

 

Christmas Day was low key, walks, bike rides and a board game. Of course all embellished with snacks, cookies and a heartwarming dinner. It was so great to see everyone after my days on the road and to all be together as a family. Too soon the gang had to depart- so early in the morning for the Easterners. Emily, Andrew and I wrapped up things at the house and they headed home while I putzed around the area, camping near  Solvang at a place called Lake Cachuma. Not the greatest space but certainly a lovely area to continue exploring and Gina checked out every hole for squirrels.

(Note: I have been trying for an hour to get these pix put in the appropriate places in this stupid app. I am scattering them below!)

Emily enjoys being with family.