We are up early the next morning to sneak through Los Angeles during the mid morning traffic lull. We get lucky and have a relatively easy drive through the LA gauntlet. Soon we are passing San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant which is in the process of decommissioning itself. Since this plant's useful lifetime was much shorter than planned, we wonder what the average cost of a kilowatt hour it generated and how that cost compares to other energy sources. Although the state's energy czars aren't talking, this type of cost analysis must not compare well as California decision makers are no longer discussing building any more.
We arrive to find Patti struggling with her new Yosemite OS
Peter helps Patti iron out some of the wrinkles in her new OS. Later we walk to downtown Encinitas to check out Holly's favorite local burner store - Flashbacks Recycled Fashion.
As we wander back we enjoy the fine spring weather, blooming plants, and Easter decorations. Later, we visit our friends Jamie & Suzy.
This family is eggs-tastic for Easter
Beautiful tree
Simons' garden is looking really good
Suzy prepares an Easter feast, while the rest of us hang out in the back yard. Collin shows us his latest fish surf board that he made and plays his new Dobro guitar.
Easter brunch table
Collin's fish board
It sounds nice
Back at Patti's, we cut some of her lovely roses for the table and enjoy Easter dinner together.
Easter or the Spring Equinox that both occur about the same time of year marks a time of new beginnings for Mother Nature. I have often wondered why New Year's Day is celebrated around the Winter Solstice when life is at a general standstill (in the northern hemisphere at least) rather than the Spring Equinox when life is renewing for another annual cycle.
2015 blows in with high winds strong enough to topple a neighbor's redwood tree which blocks our driveway. After cutting up the tree and piling up the branches, we decide it's time to head south for better weather.
We meet Peter's sister Holly and her husband Doug in Ventura for dinner. Holly shows us Pin-Ball, her new nighttime toy for Burning Man. After dinner and taking her new glowing balls for a spin, we traipse over to the new Rocket Fizz soda pop and candy shop.
pin-ball for our inner spinner
pin-balls glow at night
Ventura Rock Fizz store
Alien greeter
Lots of snacks & retro fun
Political pop
The next morning we are greeted with a glorious morning. Perfect for a walk on the beach.
The Great Wall of Leucadia
Tractor to the rescue
A Jurassic laughs at human folly from above
Even though Leucadia has gentrified over the years, it still retains it's funky edges.
Classic pick up
Cool knocker
Burner or Baja bus ?
Great beach weather continues on so the next afternoon we meet our friends Jamie & Suzie for a dog walk on Solana Beach.
Aaahhhh - such a winter's day
Sky divers ride the air currents
Sandstone cliffs
Dog's got to wonder what his master is up to
Cono & Jamie @ play
Go get it Cono
Good boy!
Time to head home
Lifeguard says "hi"
Solano Beach
After a few days, it's time to return home, but first we stop in Pasadena for the once-a-month Rose Bowl Flea Market. This gigantic swap meet is held at the Rose Bowl Stadium, home of the UCLA Bruins football team and the site of New Year's Day Rose Bowl Game, nicknamed the "The Granddaddy of them all" because it's the oldest of the college bowl games which was first played in 1902.
Entrance to Rose Bowl Stadium
Homage to college football and list of annual games
Inside Rose Bowl Stadium
Seeing the Rose Bowl Stadium up close and personal is a real treat for me as I've been watching Rose Bowl games from since I was a kid. But the day is starting to get late and it's time to explore the flea market booths.
Vendor booths in the shadow of Rose Bowl Stadium
Surf board furniture
Light fixtures made from re-purposed vintage cameras
Ooohhh - I like this chair. Just wish it wasn't orange
Vintage Victoria
This couple has found their new living room furniture
After wandering around the Flea Market, we hop back on a freeway heading for Santa Barbara.
LA Freeway
Park in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Pier
Skateboarders show off in their park
Day's end in Santa Barbara
Clouds over Santa Barbara harbor
We are treated to another beautiful morning the next day. We decide to do a little exploring.
We turn off San Marcos Pass (Hwy 154) into Los Padres National Forest along the Santa Ynez River to check out some campgrounds for future reference. It's a lovely area especially as recent rains have clothed the hills in green grasses.
After pin pointing future camping areas, we return to Hwy 154 and stop at the Los OlivosGeneral Store for lunch.While munching on very good sandwiches on their patio, we meet a former Bay Area resident who moved to the Los Olivos area several years ago because he owned horses. Since moving here, he's been surprised by the growing number of vineyards and wineries that have sprung up around the area. The movie Sideways highlighted the Santa Ynez valley's growing wine business.
My Grandmother always said "The best part of a trip is being home."
We have a few days to enjoy being home. Then we welcome Leslie and Al for a visit. They are from Rhode Island and have taken two years off to be "full timers" living and traveling in their van. We met them a year ago in Death Valley.
Morning Doga - come on guys share the mat
David hardly working
Leslie & Al @ the PM RV Resort
Since the weather is holding, we take them on a grand tour of the Santa Cruz area.
As a storm is moving in, Al and Leslie head south following the better weather - a luxury of "full timers." We stay and get hit by a fast moving hail storm.
Yes - we do get winter weather occasionally in California
