Santa Barbara County Camping

The three of us went camping in Santa Barbara County over the weekend and had a great time. This was a new campground to us, but not far from Paradise, where we've been before. It was a small campground but the spaces were large and the neighbors were quiet. Very peaceful.

We also had some nature shows! This great blue heron was hunting lizards, and then we noticed he had a gopher! Oh my!

We also had hawks in the trees overhead, being loud and eating prey, as well.

For the first time, we went to Lake Cachuma, which had a lot to offer - a nature center and garden, marina and restaurant/bar with live music, camp store, amphitheater, campsites and restrooms. 

Violet was excited to try fishing again, or, casting, as the case may be. Not much catching going on. 

We then went into Solvang, where we found a bakery to get desserts and a coffee.

After Solvang, we drove around Santa Ynez before returning to our campground to make dinner.

And a lovely dinner it was! Salad, hamburger, grilled onions and mushrooms.

Breakfast the next morning was just as nice.

On our way home, we stopped at Cold Spring Tavern, which was a restaurant on the stagecoach route in the late 1800s. It was very popular on a Sunday afternoon with motorcyclists and families. 

We then stopped at Chumash Painted Cave, which we learned about at the Lake Cachuma visitor center. 

It was out of the way and very interesting.

Near the painted cave was this lovely stream.

Then, it was time to head south. We made one more stop, in Carpinteria to put our feet in the sand, before heading home. 

Redmond, Part III

On Monday, we went out to Poulsbo to see Alison, Tyler and Lupin. 

We met them at their new house, where they moved in a few months ago, with views of a lake and room for their growing family.

We then went into town and had lunch all together at a fish place. Will and Miles met us too, as he was off for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Alison and Tyler have cats, a dog and these axolotls, an interesting sea creature I'd never heard of. 

We went back to Alison and Tyler's place and walked to the lake, where Violet got to try fishing.

They weren't biting, but she had fun casting.

The group - minus Lupin, who wasn't feeling it. I'm so pleased for Tyler and Alison - they've worked very hard and have an amazing place to live!

Their new house has several outbuildings, and this one functions as a music studio (among other things) for Tyler. 

He loved showing us around, and made a new track with Stace and Violet. And, after hearing about our recent mandolin situation, he gave Violet one of his! He had two, and generously decided that since he can only play one at a time, he was happy to give it to her. Only condition - she has to play it!

We took the ferry home - always a blast (and a blast of very cold wind, in the winter!).

What a great trip! 

Starting with an airport Costa drink, our travels home went smoothly, thankfully. We were grateful to not relive any of the horrors of our trip home exactly one year ago, when frightening winds diverted our landing to LAX (and propelled devastating wildfires).

Yosemite: Fishing on the Merced

While Stace and I were tired and napping after our Vernal hike, Violet was ready to go fishing. We're so glad she pushed us to get up and going again, as we enjoyed a gorgeous evening together.

At one point, Stace had the hook caught in his own shoelace, and at another, Violet caught a tree branch. She was able to get the hook free, but alas, no fish were harmed that day.

We found ourselves near Half Dome at the Golden Hour, and many people had their fancy cameras out. 

We happened to hit Curry Village hungry for dinner at the same time as the rest of hundreds of others. It took a while to get our food ordered and delivered, but the bartender did compensate with a healthy pour.

Our burgers were very yummy, when they arrived.

Stace and Violet took the Canon and the tripod out before bedtime, and got these beautiful shots. The stars are incredible in the Sierras.
 

Reyes Creek Camping - Fish!!

Proud girls, with their catch.

I've heard of stocked lakes, but not creeks! This was the best part of staying at this campground. We could see the young trout, and we were allowed to catch and eat them!

Both my girls had their first experience with actually reeling in a fish. I love this photo! You can see the fish highlighted against the tree behind them.

Colleen took many of these photos, including this one showing the pretty coloration of this trout.

 

Later, Colleen showed the girls how to gut and clean the fish.

Cora was quite excited about this, and did a great job.

Violet then took over the cooking of said fish. 

They were delicious, if a bit bony because they were so small!