Wonderful Weekend Away (with Wine)

A few months ago, I had my friends Jen and Sue over for a backyard catching-up time. We were reminiscing about our weekend trip to the wineries for Sue's birthday a few years before, and talking about how much we need to do another girls' weekend. Especially after the year we're having, with a *bit* more family togetherness than normal.

Sue took the bull by the horns, and this weekend the plan came to fruition.

We drove up to Santa Barbara and checked into our rented house for the weekend. We then borrowed the home's bikes and took a bike ride, ending up at a winery.

They had a spot for us! 

 

We had a great evening, talking and eating, back at the house. The next morning, we enjoyed breakfast in the back yard, and then got ready for a ladies' day out.

Our first winery on Saturday - the tastings came all at once, as a flight, so it looked like we were getting started with a LOT of alcohol early! But they were tastings, I promise! 

(And, our well-situated rental house was walking distance from the tasting rooms, so we were on foot.)

A few of more friends joined us, just for the day.

After lunch at a brewery, where we watched part of a Dodger playoff game win, we went back to the house to chill in the backyard. Sue chose this house because of the location and yard, and it was perfect!

We then walked to our lovely restaurant for a Mediterranean/Middle Eastern dinner. Loved our fire table!

On our walk to dinner, Jen and I noticed that our cars were no longer in the city lot we'd parked in. We'd followed the instructions of the VRBO house owner, who gave directions to several lots nearby. 

Sure enough, the lot we used, mentioned in the email, was also the lot where the weekly Saturday morning Farmers' Market is held. We then noticed tiny signs at the lot's entrance warning about towing. 

Well, there's a first time for everything, and we certainly learned an expensive lesson. Our Saturday night included a stop at the tow yard to get our cars. At least we were with friends, and could laugh about it.

On Sunday, we packed up and did a few other Santa Barbara essentials - shopping on State Street, and lunch at a beach cafe, with our feet in the sand. 

On the way home, we listened to the Dodgers win the National League Championship Series! So, it was a pretty darn outstanding weekend (minus the towing!).