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Anniversary V California Coast
My wife and I just celebrated five years of matrimonial bliss. At her request, we took one of our semi-regular trips to the coast. We overnighted in Santa Barbara, Solvang, and Cambria. Here are a few of the favorite photos along with a little text.
We started off in downtown Ventura to poke around the shops. Before long, I developed a raging thirst and, as luck would have it, stumbled upon this authentic Irish pub.
Ventura's downtown area can best be described as "funky." It's charming with an ecclectic mix of people and businesses.
How long has this sign been there? Tape recorders no less!
When we reached the end of the shopping district, we were pleased to discover one of California's missions, San Buenaventura. It has an operational Catholic church and a modern elementary school.
Back out on the street, I snapped this candid. When I walked by, he complemented me on my shoes (Doc Marten's) and we had a rather interesting conversation about their manufacturing and history. Cool guy.
Our next stop was Santa Barbara.
We decided to stay downtown at the Hotel Santa Barbara. Definitely old school.
I mostly roamed the streets while my wife was getting ready for the day, or when I became bored with shopping.
Fortunately, there was a Dargan's just around the corner from the hotel. Pretty good fish and chips, and they have Boddington's on tap.
While my wife shopped, I practiced panning. This fellow seemed a bit dubious of my intrustion, but eventually gave me a wave.
One of the outdoor shopping centers had a fountain with a dozen or so of these turtles sunning themselves.
Public art.
I don't much care for pictures of me, but this one, which my wife took, deserved honorable mention, I think. Taken at Cold Spring Tavern on the way to Solvang.
This isn't a great picture, but I have to plug these guys. If you are ever in Buellton and you like steak, this is a restaurant for you. Fabulous.
Your basic faux-Danish architecture in California's central valley.
One of the changes I noticed in Solvang, predictable I suppose, was that every third shop was a wine-tasting room.
Finally our trip brought us to Cambria, a lovely seaside village. We treated ourselved to a room with an ocean view. It was not only beautiful, it was 35 or 40 degrees cooler than home. What a relief.
A few views from our room.
Another place you've got to eat if you find yourself in Moonstone beach. No reservations, no credit cards, no monkey business: just great, fresh seafood. Bring your appetite.
This is the appetizer! A calamari steak sliced and served up. Mmmmmm.
Here's to five happy years. Good news, she extended my contract for another five.
On the way out of Cambria, we stopped at a local nursery/landscaper and found a beautiful, lush series of gardens.
And then just a shot or two from downtown Cambria.
Our final stop on the way home was the Tobin James Winery on Hwy 46 (not too far from where James Dean met his end). This is a neat little winery that we never pass without picking up a couple of bottles of their table wine.
That's it. We had a great trip, still love being married to each other, and thankful that we're so tolerant of each other's hobbies. I hope you are of mine. Other pictures are here. C&C always welcome.
We started off in downtown Ventura to poke around the shops. Before long, I developed a raging thirst and, as luck would have it, stumbled upon this authentic Irish pub.
Ventura's downtown area can best be described as "funky." It's charming with an ecclectic mix of people and businesses.
How long has this sign been there? Tape recorders no less!
When we reached the end of the shopping district, we were pleased to discover one of California's missions, San Buenaventura. It has an operational Catholic church and a modern elementary school.
Back out on the street, I snapped this candid. When I walked by, he complemented me on my shoes (Doc Marten's) and we had a rather interesting conversation about their manufacturing and history. Cool guy.
Our next stop was Santa Barbara.
We decided to stay downtown at the Hotel Santa Barbara. Definitely old school.
I mostly roamed the streets while my wife was getting ready for the day, or when I became bored with shopping.
Fortunately, there was a Dargan's just around the corner from the hotel. Pretty good fish and chips, and they have Boddington's on tap.
While my wife shopped, I practiced panning. This fellow seemed a bit dubious of my intrustion, but eventually gave me a wave.
One of the outdoor shopping centers had a fountain with a dozen or so of these turtles sunning themselves.
Public art.
I don't much care for pictures of me, but this one, which my wife took, deserved honorable mention, I think. Taken at Cold Spring Tavern on the way to Solvang.
This isn't a great picture, but I have to plug these guys. If you are ever in Buellton and you like steak, this is a restaurant for you. Fabulous.
Your basic faux-Danish architecture in California's central valley.
One of the changes I noticed in Solvang, predictable I suppose, was that every third shop was a wine-tasting room.
Finally our trip brought us to Cambria, a lovely seaside village. We treated ourselved to a room with an ocean view. It was not only beautiful, it was 35 or 40 degrees cooler than home. What a relief.
A few views from our room.
Another place you've got to eat if you find yourself in Moonstone beach. No reservations, no credit cards, no monkey business: just great, fresh seafood. Bring your appetite.
This is the appetizer! A calamari steak sliced and served up. Mmmmmm.
Here's to five happy years. Good news, she extended my contract for another five.
On the way out of Cambria, we stopped at a local nursery/landscaper and found a beautiful, lush series of gardens.
And then just a shot or two from downtown Cambria.
Our final stop on the way home was the Tobin James Winery on Hwy 46 (not too far from where James Dean met his end). This is a neat little winery that we never pass without picking up a couple of bottles of their table wine.
That's it. We had a great trip, still love being married to each other, and thankful that we're so tolerant of each other's hobbies. I hope you are of mine. Other pictures are here. C&C always welcome.
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Comments
Tom,
I really enjoyed your shots! I totally agree with you about the Hitching Post. A very colorful place it is. You definatly don't leave there hungry. Cambria looks like a place I will venture to soon.
Happy Anniversary and thanks for sharing your trip.
S
http://sheilalatta.smugmug.com
Thank you, Sheila. You'll LOVE Cambria. Consider yourself warned!
NEW Smugmug Site
S
http://sheilalatta.smugmug.com
Props for including the food shots - because, after all, "it's all about the food!"
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Thanks Andy and everyone for the compliments and well wishes. I'll pass them along to Mrs. Tommyboy.
I'm often a bit shy to take my DSLR into a restaurant and start snapping photos of the dishes, buy you're right, they sometimes are great or otherwise memorable shots.
NEW Smugmug Site
Next time you're in Solvang, there's a great little M/C museum. Lot's of
cool old bikes each of which runs and each of which is ridden.
And if you ever make it up toward Pismo, look for the Farwestern Tavern
for a great steak.
I tried to let Iz off the hook, but loving wife that she is, she insisted we visit the museum; however, when we called, we found it closed! We were there during the week, and I neglected to make a reservation.
I ride to Pismo regularly--follow the 58 all the way out. Haven't heard of the Farwestern Tavern, though. I'll take your recommendation, thanks.
p.s. I can't believe you actually resisted the siren song of the iPhone! Apparently, you don't suffer gadget envy.
NEW Smugmug Site
Far Western Tavern
I think I'd get an iPhone. But only if it's available through Verizon.
What makes this ubber-cool isn't that it's all rolled into one but how you
use it. We'll see what happens in v2.0
Santa Barbara is one of my favorites places. Nice to see some new pics of the town.
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