Get your kicks on Route 66

Santa Barbara Mission

I finally made it up to the Santa Barbara Mission. (Excuse the clouds, this is unusual for SB)

The Santa Barbara Mission was established on the Feast of Saint Barbara, December 4, 1786 and was the tenth of twenty-one California Missions to be founded by the Spanish Franciscans.

 

More than 200 years later, the Mission continues to be the chief cultural and historic landmark in the city of Santa Barbara. Home to a community of Franciscan friars, the Mission also has a retreat center with guest rooms, conference rooms, a fully equipped commercial kitchen and dining room, a beautiful church with a large and active parish, a museum and gift shop, a cemetery and mausoleum, and ten acres of beautifully landscaped gardens.

 

As Murray put it... all the history is in these walls. Yes, he's turning into an old man.

 

The Mission's commanding position and grand proportions, graceful lines and soft, blending colors all reinforce her title, "Queen of the Missions."

Santa Barbara Seafood Festival

Going to the Santa Barbara Seafood Festival for me was the equivilant of Murray going to a Shoe Sale Festival. Hardly my idea of paradise, but thoroughly enjoyed by Murray.

It was a rare cloudy day here in paradise, but its nice to see that clouds to make an occasional appearance.

I think this might be Seafood as fresh as it gets. You pick out your Crab, Lobster (small lobsters were about 3lbs), or Muscles... There were a few other items available too. But this covered most of it.

Lobster $16/lb, Crab $2.50/lb, Mussels $4/LB.



You then decide if you want it prepared to eat now, or take home. For a $3 fee they do whatever needs to be done, and pop the lobsters into these boiling pots.

Half an hour later, your nubmer is called, and there you have it, fresh Lobster.

However, Murray decided that he couldn't eat 3lbs of fresh lobster to himself (wimp!). So he had himself a half lobster, and BBQed Albacore. He says they were delicious. I can't speak for the seafood, but the bread and salad was a little ordinary.

The Albacore and Lobster wasn't enough, so that was followed up by a quick 6 doz natural oysters, shucked right there in front of us, and a couple of bowls of clam chowder.


It wasn't all bad for me though, I did have a bowl of brownie, strawberries and cream. Then of course Murray needed to go home for a nap after all that seafood... so I went shopping and had many successes at Lucky and Anthropologie.

A good day for all :)

Palm Springs

I had to go to Palm Springs for a work conference (hard life, I know, but someone has to do it). So we thought we'd head out there a couple of days early.

First of all, we left on a Friday afternoon. What should have been a 3 hour drive turned into a 6 hour drive thanks to LA traffic. But we did stop for a In'N'Out Burger, which Murray described as an Orgy of the Senses. I dont know what he had, but I just had a burger.

Saturday I had every intention of lying by the pool all day. And that's exactly what I did.

But Sunday we thought we'd get out and about by going on a Hummer tour and see some of the lower and upper desert, the San Adres Fault line, and Joshua Tree National Park.

Taken at the 1000 Palm Forest on the San Andres Fault Line

Murray doing his thing to keep the Fault Line from falling appart.

Just inside Joshua Tree National Park

Me being a Joshua Tree... remarkable resemblence right?

Us and the Humvee!

So it was pretty cool to get out and see the desert and all, and i'm glad that we got the opportunity to do it. But the tour itself wasn't really worth it. Not to mention the plastic strips on the roof slapping us in the face all the way home. Then the smell of diesel too. And the 4 cougars who were also on our tour. I dont want to record these annoying memories, but they're really what I remember most from the tour unforunately.

However, more forutnately, we have many amazing adventures to come.

San Simeon

San Simeon Wharf was originally built so that the Hearst Family could ship in items for thier maganificent castle. Today it looked awesome with the fog hanging around just off shore.

We then headed up the coast a little more to check out some of the crazy sealions that were all beached. These were all young males - I can't imagine the site when they're all beached. And quite frankly, they make me feel a little sick, so I'd rather not see them.

On the way home we stopped at this awesome steakhouse. I think Murray's "Frankenstien having a stroke" photos says it all.

Hearst Castle - The second time around

Last year I was lukcy enough to visit Hearst Castle - and almost a full year later, I'm lucky enough to be back here again.

Check out last years visit here - http://melbourne-girl.blogspot.com/2008/10/hearst-castle.html

Last year I took "Tour 1" which is an overview of the main Castle. This year I went on Tour Two, which gives visitors a closer look at the main house's upper floors, Mr. Hearst's private suite, the libraries, and the kitchen.

Driving up the mountain to Hearst Castle - about 5 miles from the Visitor Center to the Castle. There was also some crazy fog hanging right on the shoreline. On the way you pass areas where William Randolph Hearst keep animals that were part of his private zoo collection. Only 4 types of animals from the original herds are left - including Zebras!



Last year with Mum - this year with Murray. The Neptune Pool at Hearst Castle was rebuilt three times to suit its owner's tastes. Its centerpiece is the façade of an ancient Roman temple that William Randolph Hearst had purchased and imported to California.



Right at the top of each of the towers there are actual bedrooms. Later in the tour we'll actually get to visit this room.

The Antique ceilings were amazing. Many of them are acutal antiques, changed only to fit the rooms in Hearst Castle.

The Library - where guests were invited to read many rare and vaulable books but tey were to remain in the Library. There were some fun stories about guests moving the furniture and using the room for cartwheels and other shinanigans. Which is amazing when you consider the priceless furniture and huge book collection.



His office - few of his guests ever went in here. People who came in here usually referred to him as "The Cheif".

Probably my favorite room. Atop one of the castle towers are the hexagonal Celestial Suites. It is said that when the shutters are open and the fog has rolled in it feels like you're leeping on clouds. When the shutters are closed it feels like you're in a jewellery box.

In the kitchen - these are so cute - I want some in my kitchen... in my castle on the hill. Guests were invited to use the kitchen whenever they wanted.

The drawing room of genius architect Julia Morgan.



The Roman Pool at Hearst castle is a tiled indoor pool decorated with eight statues of Roman gods, goddesses and heroes.

Nojoqui "Water" Falls

Using his best research skills, Murray found out about Najoqui Waterfalls - the only water falls in Santa Barbara County. So on our way to Solvang, we thought it would be nice to visit them.

Lions and tigers and bears? Oh my!


So we're walking along this dry dusty creek bed when it occurs to us... huh... its the end of summer. California is in drout. And there is no water in this creek bed which we assume comes from the waterfalls. Changes of water actually falling... slim to none.

But I'm glad that we went up there, because it was still a very pretty site.

See the water? Those little droplets? Thats the "waterfall".

Mental Note: Return to Nojoqui after actual rain.

Grand Final Day USA

I thought we might end up watching the Grand Final at some hidious hour - but as it turned out, it was due to start at 9.30pm Californian time. So Murray and I kicked off the night with a visit to my favourite wine bar one the wharf. Found one unwooded Chardy that was great - i'll have to go back there and take note of what it is.

Then we thought it wise to fill our tummies with some food before what was sure to be a huge night. We went to Moby Dicks for dinner where i couldn't resist the call of a giant bacon cheeseburger... mmm... burger.

Then off to the local sports bar Madisons for the game. There was 6 in our group, plus a few other aussies, and a lot of confused Americans watching hte game. I knew it was going to be a big night when the barman started us all off with a shot of something pink... That was followed by giant beers!

Many many many giant beers.

Was good to see the Cats win another flag - was a great game and a great night.

Californialand!

Murray at the "Golden Gate Bridge" just inside the entrance to the park. One day we'll have to go and see the real thing (and Murray can have all the SF Clam Chowder he wants).

These green toy soldiers were great - like the Blue Man Group, but Green!

Catch of the day?