Santa Barbara area, CA
SB's famous Acapulco Restaurant  - good food and entertaining turtles.
The turtles piled on top of one another to gain the prime sunny real estate.
Santa Barbara has a great farmer's market every Wednesday.  Super selections.
On our 1st bike ride in the Santa Ynez Valley the sights and views were wonderful.
During the bike ride we took a much needed rest at this vantage point.
Claire took the Coast Starlight back to Sacramento - a 12-hour trip.
This is largest fig tree in the nation. Planted in 1877 it is 76' tall, 167' across and has a trunk diam. of 12.5'.
We had a very pleasant visit and dinner with Karen and Bob in Thousand Oaks.
We camped at Lake Cachuma in the hills above SB. This is a beautiful place to stay.
Lake Cachuma is a very popular fishing lake, but no human contact with the water is allowed.
There are 3 Yurts at Lake Cachuma that can be reserved for camping.
We took a ride around the campground on our shiny new bikes.
Susan loves oaks and Bill (usually in that order), so she thinks this pic is great!
The woodpeckers use the oaks as banks by depositing acorns in self-bored holes.
As Susan said in the journal this campground is a druid's dream location.
The great blue herons were more cooperative about picture posing than the eagles & egrets.
Claire and Susan relaxing in the afternoon sun behind the trailer.
The view from the back of the trailer was quite nice.
A short walk rewarded us with a great view of Lake Cachuma.
Thanksgiving dinner was a hearty feast crafted by the celebrated chef Susan!
This is a bird's eye view of the La Purisima Mission.
This is the ground level view of the primary mission buildings.
Nothing significant here just a nice shot down the long walkway.
This was the dining room for the soldiers.  Eat, drink and be merry!
Click for the La Purisima website
These are the soldier's quarters.  Married soldiers had private quarters for their wife and children.
This is the Mayordomo's kitchen.  He directed the ranching and farming operations.
The many candles needed for lighting and rituals were made here.
Wool from the mission sheep was spun here.
Woodworking was done here.
This was a shield used by the Chumash Indians.
The main chapel had an impressive alter.
The Padres' Chapel was originally built
for the Padres and their guests.
Mission Santa Barbara was the tenth of the California missions to be founded by the Spanish Franciscans.
The mission presented many great photographic opportunities like this one.
It is a many-towered place!
The chapel, which is still in operation is impressive.
Click here for information on the SB Mission
The alter.
The artwork and statutes were very interesting.
These were located in alcoves adjacent to the main chapel.
More artwork and statutes of significance.
Another Kodak moment.
This is a nice example of a Aloe Africana.  We saw them in many places around SB.
The gardens of the SB Mission.
Couldn't resist this view to the ocean from the mission framed by a tree.
 
Solvang felt very touristy, but it was kind of fun to see.
Every town needs a windmill!
Claire joined us on our visit to Solvang and treated us to pastry and coffee here.
We only stopped by the Mission Santa Ines for this picture. Bill was getting "missioned" out.
The many wine tasting rooms & art galleries of Los Olivos in Santa Ynez Valley make it a must stop.
Another view of Los Olivos buildings.
This was an interesting metal sculpture garden in town.
We strolled the town and discovered more interesting art.
The SB Courthouse was an unexpected treat.  We were lucky to have a docent show us around.
The mural room depicted scenes from from the native Indians to the construction of the SB Mission.
Click here to see the courthouse website
General pictures
Lake Cachuma
Santa Barbara Courthouse
La Purisima Mission
Santa Barbara Mission
Solvang
Los Olivos
The view from the courthouse tower to the coast was spectacular.
Here is a panorama view looking northeast from the courthouse tower.