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.

 

Burbank/LA

Burbank

The chosen neighborhood is relatively close to my daughter and is pleasant, residential and safe. A good

walking neighborhood. There are a number of decorated houses, folks who walk their dogs and a corner park that is open on weekends (It belongs to a school) and parking is accessible on the street.

It is handy to have the van close by as this apartment is poorly equipped. But I finally decided it is sort of like camping. I brought in a chair to sit on, a rug for the front door shoes, kitchen equipment, like a cutting board, eating utensils and other sundries. It will take a couple hours to get everything packed up and in again.

I am lightly purple again, thanks to cousin Sherry's shampoo suggestion. Men here seem to love it. There are many compliments.

I have made some Christmas cookies and take Gina for long walks in the morning. There is a lovely park (Brand Park) which has squirrels to chase and dogs to greet. We went to a nearby wildlife preserve (Stough Canyon) which was uphill all the way.

There was a nice dog park (Griffith) that had chill dogs- none of whom Gina wanted to play with. Today I was told of Bette Davis Picnic area next to the equestrian center which had many many squirrels to chase and Gina enjoyed that immensely.

I use Google frequently to find grocery stores and Trader Joe’s and other points of interest that are handy for my projects. I got the oil changed in the van and have done some van chores. I have found avoiding the freeways is more comfortable for me and have not gone too far afield but am getting more adventuresome. 

I have finished another book which was tedious so will be doing lighter reading for the next couple of days. I have also pretty much caught up on my blog and am taking time to reflect on the wonderful weeks that I was on the road. Yes, I enjoyed that. Every day was new and brought something to the table which could be fabulous views or reflections that make me a rounder individual.

California is nice. Crowded but a good respite and there is much to see and ahead there are plans to be made which I am beginning to swing my thoughts to. Again, heading North towards Napa and cousin Christine will be around the holidays so I am a bit wiser to try to make plans ahead of time. I am finding that seashore parks are full already- of course and contemplate what my alternatives might be. Up the middle of California may be a wiser pursuit. I will be looking at that the next couple days as well as what my plans are come the middle of January. Baja California is a strong contender.

Here is what I am seeing in Burbank 

A photographic review-

 I was just thinking of all the variety I have seen in these past months and how much there is still to see. If I can get this blog to cooperate with photos which seems to be a challenge I am listing a bit of a gallery review of states... Can you believe all these things??? Most of them are labeled but I am doing it in batches... I think they are all labeled but this blog.. ay, this blog app....

      

  

Somis- North of LA December 6-9

 So good times were had by all.

I went up to see my sister for a few days who was recovering from a bit of pneumonia. It was there I caught my breath, enjoyed walking in her citrus orchard, playing with her 3 dogs and having a quiet visit with her, her husband, Danny, his mom and other Farm Inhabitants. It's a lovely spot. At the top of a hill you get a vista of the trees, beautiful sunsets, moonrises and breathe the lovely air. You can see how lovely the weather was!

We took a spin about town and she showed me the library in Camarillo, a delight and inspiration for libraries everywhere. It is clear that the community treasures its literature and literacy.

I came away laden with citrus and peace. Gina had a blast playing with the dogs, chasing jackrabbits and smelling so many new things. 

Check out this library- tiles on the floors and walls, sculptural pillars and cozy nooks!