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Published: February 12th 2009
What a difference a day makes!
When we left the High Desert it was in the midst of a snowstorm and to tell the truth it was a bit scary. Most of the drivers on the road weren't making any concession to the weather conditions, any space you left between yourself and the car in front was immediately seized on as an opportunity to swoop across from lane 1 to lane 4.
It's not surprising that there were a number of collisions.
Once we got past the hills and down into Greater LA the skies cleared and the sun came out. An hour further up the road and we rolled into Montecito, a suburb of Santa Barbara. A pretty wealthy one too if you look at the notable residents section of the wikipedia entry. Pretty white bread as well, I guess the two go hand in hand to a certain extent.
Stayed one night there in a pretty modest establishment (the only modest one in town!) that we had stayed in before. It was pretty much the same as we remembered. Went for a really nice walk up in the hills before bedtime, it was nice to be away from
hordes of people. I guess we could have done the same outside Vegas if the weather had been kinder. Oh well.
Left Montecito the next morning and headed up north to Morro Bay where we're now staying for a few nights.
Passed through Solvang, on of the oddest towns we have been to on our trip. Founded by a bunch of Danes at the turn of the century and it sure looks like it. Twee.
Went and explored the sand dunes at Montana de Oro State Park today, found some great beaches where brave souls were having fun in some serious surf. The sun was shining but it was damn cold. Great views though.
Came back in time to catch a sunset at the harbour, it was a delight to see a couple of California Sea Lions hassling the fishermen for the cleaning scraps. If the fishermen didn't throw the bits and pieces off the wharf quickly enough for them they barked at them to hurry them up. A great end to the first full day here. More parks to go hiking in tomorrow.
It has to be said I feel so much better when I take the time
to do just a little modest exercise. I was a bit more than modest today, I was running up and down (and falling over) the dunes like a kid.
I feel better when I'm near the sea too, I guess I'm just not an inland boy.
It was very weird waking up to a snow storm, but did re-confirm we were right not to head to the Grand Canyon - gonna have to go back! The driving here can be a bit hairy, not in Montecito though. Such a pretty town, and Solvang well it was such a surprise, two windmills?!
Morro Bay is sweet, bizarre theme hotel thing going on - based on having masterpieces in each room - ours is 2 Reniors, a Picasso and a Turner. Masses of other pics, Lichtenstein, Dali, Matisse, very random order, and in the case of our room set against heavy floral bedspreads! The views from the walk were fab, and to end the day seeing Sea Lions in their natural habitat was just brilliant.
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Europe Rick
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Solvang's great - I spent an afternoon there once; as you say, it is incredibly twee (I saw an all-year-round Christmas shop!), but also very convincing. It's hard to believe you're not in Denmark! Some of that Danish confectionery is delicious (especially the free samples!). My American relatives insisted we walk out of a restaurant there, after we'd been seated, complaining it was too pricey. The Englishman in me nearly died of embarrassment!