Santa Barbara, Sunday

I'm writing this a bit late, but I was so exhausted last night when I got home I just couldn't quite manage it.  So first thing Sunday morning, we got up and headed for the Santa Barbara Mission.  At first glance the building seems so modern that I wasn't even sure we were in the right place.  It's lovely up in the hills and it was fascinating to discover that the mission had been damage in the 1925 earthquake as well as the one before that.

Even though church was in session and we couldn't see the inside, we decided to take the tour and see a little of the grounds.  It was a perfect SoCal day.

For all my book nerds out there, we also discovered the real grave of the girl who inspired the book Island of the Blue Dolphins.  My parents tell me I read it in first grade.  I remember the book, but not when I read it.

On the way out, we discovered a lovely rose and flower garden in the field near the mission.  Couldn't help myself.

After that it was time for some shopping.  We headed back towards L.A. and hit the outlet mall.  Nothing too exciting there. 

So this was a short trip, but be patient as next up will be Barcelona and Scotland!

Santa Barbara, Saturday

It was time to get out of town!  Work has been a little nuts so a friend and I decided a quick weekend getaway to Santa Barbara was in order. We jumped in the car and headed out of LA Saturday morning.   First thing we hit State Street for some breakfast.  And any late breakfast is only complete with a couple of huge mimosas and a lovely view of the street.

Then it was time for some shopping.  We think we covered all the important stores on State Street.  After some successful purchases, we headed to the hotel.  No rest for the wicked though and shortly after we decided to walk down to the pier.  I was craving some clam chowder.  The wind was really crazy so we didn't stop along the way.  I almost couldn't believe how hard it was blowing.  Along the way we passed one wedding on the beach and these buckets of flowers.  Just set out for free.

On the pier, we decided to wait to get a table at the Santa Barbara Shellfish Co.  We had a lovely lunch with one startling guest.

After that it was time for another wine tasting and then a few bars on State Street.  We've had a lovely evening and now it's getting close to bedtime.  Tomorrow we're going to head to the mission and then home. (after perhaps a little more shopping)

This is a short trip, but hang tight my friends, Barcelona will be here before you know it.  After that work week, we'll be heading to Scotland for a week of fun and scotch.  Stay tuned!