We've explored a lot of California in the six years we have lived here, but until recently we hadn't ever been to Santa Barbara. So, when Dustin and Cara invited us to take a weekend trip there to visit some of their friends and family, we jumped at the opportunity!
We stayed with Cara's friends from her days as UCSB, Vince and Susan, and their children Emma and Asher in their very cute house surrounded by delicious fruit trees. Every meal was supplemented with fresh-off-the-tree apricots or plums. Even Banjo liked them. Mmmmm!
We went hiking up in the Santa Barbara hills in an area that had been completely burned from the wildfires last year. It was really interesting to see how much early growth had come back and covered the hillsides. The trees weren't there yet, but lots of wildflowers and brush had taken root. At our turnaround point we had some great views over the town to the Pacific as well as up to Cathedral Peak.
Our group on the trail
Aside from the Santa Barbara backcountry, we stopped at the Mission and took in some of the amazing chalk-art that was there, and explored downtown with all it's trendy shops and beautiful Jackoranda trees.
Kate with her favorite chalk drawing
Kate meeting Asher's pet snake
Downtown skate park action
Our next night was spent a little ways down the coast in Ventura with Cara's sister Shonna, generous enough to put us up for the night, and her parents. We had a great time hanging out with good friends as well as meeting new ones on this trip - and those apricots were delicious! I have renewed motivation to care for our 10" tall sprig of an apricot tree we are nursing in our backyard now...
Some more pics
1 comment:
glad you enjoyed sb so much. and thanks for visiting ventura! you better move up to portland soon so we can hang out more!
xxsb!
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