Santa Barbara: Not what we expected

tkscovill ♦ January 1, 2014 ♦ Leave a comment

Palm trees and a flat beach. How simple.

I remember coming to Santa Barbara many years ago when the kids were still in school. We must have found some hidden gem in this town because our recent visit was nothing like the previous one. We had to drive over those mountains that surround the campground, which meant a lot of downhill stuff, seeing the ocean far away, then closer and closer until we were simply in the middle of traffic. Eventually we found the ocean, got out, walked the dogs and realized we were actually sweating! It was 75 degrees that day. We were dressed for 40 degrees. In any case, I managed to get a few photos.

on the beach in december, what a dream

I wanted to keep some of this kelp but Sam warned me it would just shrivle up and smell. He was right. At least I got a photo!

I was impressed with these cacti. They look like lotuses, without the flowers. They are all over SB.

Then I saw these in someone’s back yard. They look like poinsettas, or red sunflowers. Perfect!

As we were leaving I saw this guy working his way down the beach. He must’ve been 80, but he was determined to ride that boogie board.

I guess when you grow up near an ocean, you always want to go back. There is something so healing about just looking out at the horizon on a clear, warm day like this. And the feeling of the sand under your feet has to be good for your health. So, on this first day of 2014, my wish is to spend more days at the edge of the ocean.