Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Our revisiting places we've worked tour -Santa Barbara

When we started our traveling, I never thought there would be time to return to many of the places we had visited. Looks like I was wrong. It is fun to be returning now and reminiscing.
 

This is an old ranch that was built as a hunting lodge and weekend retreat. During the years 1910-1920, Santa Barbara, not Hollywood, was the center of California’s growing silent film industry. The famous Flying A Studios were located in Santa Barbara. Many silent film stars such as Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton were regular visitors to the E.W. Ranch, where they lounged at the pool, ate steaks in the Stone Lodge, and put on impromptu skits by the Pavilion.  high in the Santa Inez mountains along the river.
 
That would have been quite a sight.
 

When we lived in Santa Barbara in the spring of 2007, our morning bike rides were pretty chilly. That hadn't changed. We waited until after lunch to venture out.


The winds were blowing but the surfers were still out there with a couple of swimmers in wetsuits.

Another place that I worked briefly. This was not a favorite.



Do we look like we are pondering our lives.


We always enjoyed the bike ride through Montecito to Carpenteria but the winds were pretty rough this time. The gusts were 40 mph. We should have gone to Goleta and let the winds push us back. NOoooo we went the easy way first. My calves were pretty sore when I woke at night.


Santa Barbara Harbor

 

In 1868 this tavern was known as "Cold Springs Relay Station". It was the half way stop between "Mattel's Tavern" to the north, and Patrick Kinevan's "Summit House" to the south.

In those days sturdy stagecoaches know as "mudwagons" traveled the rugged San Marcos Pass. It was here horses were changed and passengers rested and enjoyed the noon day meal.


The Ojai Jail which was built by Andrew Van Curen in 1873.  Mr. Van Curen was the sheriff in Ojai for a very long time.  When he retired he offered his jail (which he built on his property) to the city of Ojai at least three times but, for whatever reason, they did not accept his offer.  Audrey, on the other hand, accepted the first time! 

The prices seemed reasonable. This is California.

               Thee old "Road Gang House" where the Chinese Road Gang bunked when they built the Toll Road through the rugged San Marcos Pass in 1868. 



Love the old cash register.

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