What a beautiful day. We drove to Santa Barbara to attend an Arts and Crafts Show held every Sunday on the boardwalk right along the Ocean. It's an awesome sight. We took a tour of the city on a bus, then drove to the pier and the bus drove into the water and we became a boat for 1-1/2 hours. What a gorgeous area.
We stopped in at Solvang, a little Finnish town with a lot of shops (similar to St. Jacobs), then through interesting farming area with fields of strawberries, spinach, lettuce and many vineyards.
We ended up at the Best Western Casa Grande Inn at Arryo Grande, a few miles south of Pismo Beach. We are pretty excited about the next few days, driving up Highway 1 heading north to San Francisco. Off to play Skip-Bo again tonight.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Saturday April 30, 2011
Well, we are on the road. We stopped in the Palm Springs/Bermuda Dunes area and had lunch at the Shields Date Garden (burger with sauteed dates and blue cheese - awesome combination). Of course, we had to share a date shake to go. Things sure have changed and expanded since we lived there!
We are at the Best Western in Ventura California for the night. The positive is that we are located right at the Ocean and can see the water from our room but the negative is that there is a train track running right in between the motel and the water front - and it is LOUD when the whistle blows. The view makes up for the train though.
We are having beautiful weather and hope it continues. We are planning to travel up the coast to Santa Barbara tomorrow where there is a weekly Arts and Crafts show along the ocean. Should be fun.
We are at the Best Western in Ventura California for the night. The positive is that we are located right at the Ocean and can see the water from our room but the negative is that there is a train track running right in between the motel and the water front - and it is LOUD when the whistle blows. The view makes up for the train though.
We are having beautiful weather and hope it continues. We are planning to travel up the coast to Santa Barbara tomorrow where there is a weekly Arts and Crafts show along the ocean. Should be fun.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Thursday April 28th, 2011
Well - first time for everything! We went golfing today in 97 degree temperature - teed off at 1 pm. It was HOT, HOT!! It was the last time to golf before leaving for our tour and heading home. We did have a nice breeze while golfing and ended up in the pool after so that was nice and refreshing.
We spent the morning in a meeting with the Planning Committee of the complex here. In order to make any changes to your property, you have to submit an application and hopefully get approval. We are planning to get rid of all the overgrown shrubbery in front of the house and replace it with a patio. We are hoping to do this in the Fall but thought we would go through the process now so we can go ahead with it then. Bob (the Builder) did such a good job with the diagram that it didn't take very long for the approval. We just had to sit and wait over an hour before they got to us.
We are getting packed and ready to leave for Santa Barbara, California on Saturday. There always seems to be a lot of little things to do before leaving a house for any length of time. We found a very informative house sitter who checks the house every week. He's full of info re painters, construction people, etc. etc. so it's always good to get recommendations from someone in the subdivision.
I've been checking the forecasted temperatures for the towns/locations we plan to visit for the next 2-3 weeks and there seems to be a lot of 40s, 45s and 50s listed. I'm hoping the weather gets warmer but am taking my ski jacket along just in case. I'm wondering if perhaps we should be doing this trip mid-summer!! I'm sure we will hve fun anyway.
We spent the morning in a meeting with the Planning Committee of the complex here. In order to make any changes to your property, you have to submit an application and hopefully get approval. We are planning to get rid of all the overgrown shrubbery in front of the house and replace it with a patio. We are hoping to do this in the Fall but thought we would go through the process now so we can go ahead with it then. Bob (the Builder) did such a good job with the diagram that it didn't take very long for the approval. We just had to sit and wait over an hour before they got to us.
We are getting packed and ready to leave for Santa Barbara, California on Saturday. There always seems to be a lot of little things to do before leaving a house for any length of time. We found a very informative house sitter who checks the house every week. He's full of info re painters, construction people, etc. etc. so it's always good to get recommendations from someone in the subdivision.
I've been checking the forecasted temperatures for the towns/locations we plan to visit for the next 2-3 weeks and there seems to be a lot of 40s, 45s and 50s listed. I'm hoping the weather gets warmer but am taking my ski jacket along just in case. I'm wondering if perhaps we should be doing this trip mid-summer!! I'm sure we will hve fun anyway.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Saturday April 23, 2011
Well, here we are waiting for word on whether or not our garburator will be replaced. The repair man is sitting and waiting for directions from his company. It has made terrible noises and every 2-3 days, Bob has to take it apart because it's clogged but guess what.....................today when the repair man arrives, IT WORKS PERFECTLY!! Just like having a terrible toothache while waiting for your Dentist's appointment and then the day of the appointment......nothing!
After he leaves we are heading for a little town called Jerome - a mining town in the hills that has been deserted but now there are a lot of little boutiques set up. Once again, it is a beautiful day in sunny Arizona - about 80 degrees and dry which is perfect for me - feels like low 70s (Ontario weather).
We've been golfing this week - Bob golfed twice with different groups and we both golfed on Thursday with two older gentlemen who were just a delight to be with. Guess what? We encountered another smaller snake on the 9th green - a gold snake who took off when he saw us approaching. That's snake #3 for Arizona in 2011 - so since things happen in 3s, hopefully that will be it!! (That does include the 12" dead snake we saw on the street) I don't mind seeing them on the golf course or while hiking but definitely not at the swimming pool.......
We plan on leaving Arizona next Saturday April 30th and heading to the Arts and Crafts Market in Santa Barbara for Sunday then travelling up the California coastline for as long as it takes. We want to stop in San Francisco, Monterey and Pebble Beach of course. We won't be golfing but might just go to the Clubhouse for brunch. I've been this route before but this will be all new for Bob, which will in turn, be fun for me too.
So, we are on our way, now that the Disposal has been replaced.
After he leaves we are heading for a little town called Jerome - a mining town in the hills that has been deserted but now there are a lot of little boutiques set up. Once again, it is a beautiful day in sunny Arizona - about 80 degrees and dry which is perfect for me - feels like low 70s (Ontario weather).
We've been golfing this week - Bob golfed twice with different groups and we both golfed on Thursday with two older gentlemen who were just a delight to be with. Guess what? We encountered another smaller snake on the 9th green - a gold snake who took off when he saw us approaching. That's snake #3 for Arizona in 2011 - so since things happen in 3s, hopefully that will be it!! (That does include the 12" dead snake we saw on the street) I don't mind seeing them on the golf course or while hiking but definitely not at the swimming pool.......
We plan on leaving Arizona next Saturday April 30th and heading to the Arts and Crafts Market in Santa Barbara for Sunday then travelling up the California coastline for as long as it takes. We want to stop in San Francisco, Monterey and Pebble Beach of course. We won't be golfing but might just go to the Clubhouse for brunch. I've been this route before but this will be all new for Bob, which will in turn, be fun for me too.
So, we are on our way, now that the Disposal has been replaced.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Tuesday April Something 2011
Can you tell I'm on holidays? I'm sitting in the den, too lazy to walk out to look at the exact date.
Well after the 'snake' event, I still haven't gone to the pool area, but will venture there tomorrow FOR SURE. I don't want to allow the fear to completely take over my life!
I had a craft day today, arranging all my cactus plants (artificial) and other greenery around the house and placing them.
It's been very cool here - this morning is was 40 degrees F and very chilly but the forecast says it's warming up and will be back to mid to high 80s by tomorrow. What strange weather the world is having!
Having company for cards tomorrow night and guests for dinner on Wednesday evening. Should be interesting to have guests (without having proper serving dishes, etc.) but I'm sure they will understand.
We are thoroughly enjoying the house and can't believe we will be leaving here in another two weeks - yikes!!
Well after the 'snake' event, I still haven't gone to the pool area, but will venture there tomorrow FOR SURE. I don't want to allow the fear to completely take over my life!
I had a craft day today, arranging all my cactus plants (artificial) and other greenery around the house and placing them.
It's been very cool here - this morning is was 40 degrees F and very chilly but the forecast says it's warming up and will be back to mid to high 80s by tomorrow. What strange weather the world is having!
Having company for cards tomorrow night and guests for dinner on Wednesday evening. Should be interesting to have guests (without having proper serving dishes, etc.) but I'm sure they will understand.
We are thoroughly enjoying the house and can't believe we will be leaving here in another two weeks - yikes!!
Friday, April 8, 2011
SNAKE IN ARIZONA
Yikes!!!!!!!
Thank God it didn't curl up INSIDE the bag. I would have REALLY freaked!!!!!
Nice welcome to the pool at Mountain Brook Village. We've been coming to this area for at least 6 years and this was the first time we used their pool facilities (second time this week). Yikes!
I think it's interesting that the thing didn't go to anyone else in the pool area - I think I attract them.
I was sitting on my chaise lounge over at the pool. There were about 50 people around the pool, playing volleyball in the water, in the pool swimming and some just sitting around but no-one near me. I had my beach bag sitting beside me. I went to sit up and saw a SNAKE about 12 inches from my bag, heading away from my bag. It was about 4 feet long and big. You can well imagine my reaction. I screamed, ran, screamed, cried, screamed and screamed some more. People tried to chase it by pouring water on it and finally some guy picked it up by its tail and took it to the fence surrounding the pool and let it go.
A very kind man came up behind me to comfort me and put his hand on my arm. Well, I screamed again and jumped. He felt really bad. I was a mess to say the least. Apparently it had diamonds on its back but Bob says it wasn’t a Diamondback rattle snake – go figure – I think he is bullshitting me.
My thought was that the thing must have probably been under my chair or around my beach bag as it was not going on an angle but very STRAIGHT!!
Nice welcome to the pool at Mountain Brook Village. We've been coming to this area for at least 6 years and this was the first time we used their pool facilities (second time this week). Yikes!
I think it's interesting that the thing didn't go to anyone else in the pool area - I think I attract them.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
What a wonderful day here is Paradise! Our friends left yesterday morning for home in Canada and we spent the day cleaning/purging the 'stuff' that we found in storage cupboards in the garage. The truck was full and on its way to the Thrift Shop in town.
Now, we are able to finally REALLY see what is in the house and what we want to paint/change/decorate, etc. What fun.
Bob was off golfing this morning and we are going to the pool this afternoon - Bob joined the water volleyball team and I am going to do water aerobics. It is such a beautiful complex - relaxed and very safe offering lots of amenities.
The temperature is high 80s and dry, lovely husband and beautiful surroundings. What more could a gal ask for......................
Now, we are able to finally REALLY see what is in the house and what we want to paint/change/decorate, etc. What fun.
Bob was off golfing this morning and we are going to the pool this afternoon - Bob joined the water volleyball team and I am going to do water aerobics. It is such a beautiful complex - relaxed and very safe offering lots of amenities.
The temperature is high 80s and dry, lovely husband and beautiful surroundings. What more could a gal ask for......................
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