Henry Cowell Redwoods

We used to ride our bikes along the cliffs overlooking the ocean in Wilder Ranch north of Santa Cruz while working in San Francisco but never made it in to see the town and boardwalk. Once we arrived in Santa Cruz, we drove into the city to the touristy area, looked at each other and headed back to the hills when we saw parking was going to cost $30 and didn't really see anything that we had to visit. Too many people for us.

 

 

The Redwoods were just 5 miles up the road from our campground. Since we were up early, we hit the road and enjoyed our walk in the cool air.

Kind of looked like a face to me.

Redwood sorrel

Banana slug tidy up the forest floor eating debris.

Common Merganser I believe

Fulton covered bridge built in 1892 and believed to be the tallest covered bridge in the country and stood as the only entry to Felton for 45 years. In 1937 it was retired from active service to become a pedestrian bridge and was used in many films of that period.

We love farmer's markets and had to return to this large one in Moss Landing. On our way north, the 101 was just too congested to get across the road with our trailer and thought we would return in a few days. Mike even stocked up on his favorite hot sauce ( California Pepper Plant Sauce).

We loaded up on a basket full of goodies.

 

The drive into the hills was just a nice reprieve with temps in the high 60s.

 

Our revisiting places tour Highway 101

Our usual route traveling in this area was Highway 1 along the coast. This time since the winds were going to be kicking up we tried the 101 which turned out to be a real treat. The rolling farms and ranches were beautiful and no slow and go through the coastal towns.

 

I have never seen so much green in our time in California. It was usually brown or as they call it "gold".

Miles and miles of vineyards

 

Driving through the Salinas Valley reminds me of John Steinbeck's stories. The amount of food grown in this area is mind boggling. I wonder how the raise in minimum wage to $15/hr will affect the industry and workers.

 

This doodad was so the workers would have shade while harvesting their crops.

Mike found a treasure of an RV park in Marina, CA across the street from the dune and Monterey Bay. We had stayed on a beach in northern CA one time and found it to windy with the sand beating us up.  The dunes protect us from the afternoon winds without the tourist congestion of Monterey itself.  At night we can hear the waves crashing.

After spending time in the dry AZ climate, I am enjoying my morning walks in the cloudy morning marine layer.  

What a great birthday

Long-billed Curlew

sand dollar

We sat on the beach for 40 minutes waiting for the sun to set and saw whales spouting. At times they would show their heads and tails.

While riding the beautiful 17 mile drive by Pebble Beach to Carmel by the Sea, we met a young man on his touring bike riding from San Diego to San Francisco. Our ride ended up being 34 miles without a lot of wind on our return.

The Lone Cypress

Ghost tree

This morning while doing the laundry, I met a man who lived just down the street from us when we lived in Woodland Park. Small world.

There were quite a few paragliders just floating above the dunes in the afternoon breezes.

A surfing paddle boarder

 

 

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.