A Perfect Day
With the Stewwife and the Runt of the Litter off in Maui, Stewdog went off the leash for an excellent adventure on Saturday. Gassed up the Wifemobile, put the bicycle on the portable rack, and headed north. Spent a couple of hours riding the bike paths along the ocean in Santa Barbara and drove up through the mountains above the town. Took the 154 through the San Marcos Pass, and had a great lunch in Santa Ynez. Hit my favorite winery and then headed off to explore. Went to Surf Beach at Vandenberg, did some wine tasting in Los Olivos, rode the bike again in the Santa Ynez Valley, and had a great dinner of soft shell crab and scallops at the Ballard Inn.
Since I came up the 154 through the San Marcos Pass, I came back through the Gaviota Pass, since the Mexican Army wasn't waiting for me.
Trivia. . what is so unusual about the 50 mile stip of 101 from Gaviota to Carpenteria? It is the only East/West strip of highway on the west coast (from Alaska to Argentina). I was driving it back with the mean angry sunset behind me, forming a perfect shadow of my car in front of me.
Home safely by 930. A great adventure without the cost of a hotel room. Nice to do for oneself from time to time.
Since I came up the 154 through the San Marcos Pass, I came back through the Gaviota Pass, since the Mexican Army wasn't waiting for me.
Trivia. . what is so unusual about the 50 mile stip of 101 from Gaviota to Carpenteria? It is the only East/West strip of highway on the west coast (from Alaska to Argentina). I was driving it back with the mean angry sunset behind me, forming a perfect shadow of my car in front of me.
Home safely by 930. A great adventure without the cost of a hotel room. Nice to do for oneself from time to time.
posted by stewdog | 3:20 PM | Permalink
|
8 comments
8 Comments:
Ooooh, sounds very nice -- especially for someone who has spent most of the weekend doing "home improvement" in 100 degree heat.
I had to get away from the heat. I couln't get over the temperature shift. 90 or so in Santa Ynez Valley and then the wind picked up and the clouds came it and it was 58 when I hit Surf.
Also saw some nice flower fields around Lompoc.
You didn't go to Maui???
Sounds like a great day. Nice touch, taking the wife's car... why put wear and tear and risk stone chips on the Stewmobile.
It has been hotter than hell here, but the humidity has finally let up some and we are drying up from a foot of rain earlier this week. We weren't flooded, but discovered the roofing company didn't seal the flashing as they said they had last year.
CIV, Can't go to Maui the week before litigating a case. I need the time to prepare and wouldn't really be able to 'chill' with the case pending. Besides, the heat, humidity, and touristy nature of Hawaii isn't my cup of tea.
As to the wifemobile, for that trip it is more practical and durable than mine, and she is under miles on her lease, and I am over miles on mine.
The rugrat has been lobbying for a trip to Hawaii. The "heat, humidity, and touristy nature" you mention don't sound appealing -- we can get that in D.C. for free 6 months every year. Really, though, it's the LONG plane ride, aging body, jet lag, and other hassles of the trip that make me say NO. Maybe in retirement when we can stay longer or stay in CA for a while first, we can go... without the rugrat. That is, if Hawaii is still a state.
CIV, If you want a GREAT trip that isn't so far from DC, go to Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. I spent 2 weeks there in 79 and loved it. You can explore the other Maritime provinces as well. A relatively short flight from VA.
Also, a week in Nantucket, renting a house out of the main town, after Labor Day, would be fantastic.
I love listening to y'all gripe about the heat in D.C. and California as I sit here looking out over Cook Inlet in Alaska, where it's been a cool, dry 70 degrees all week. This morning, it was even kind of chilly. Brr, I say, brrr!
You're in Alaska?! Cool!
I am so envious, my globe-trotting friend . . .
Post a Comment
<< Home