California Day 5 {August 1st - Horses and Lavender}

Saturday, August 1st was our last full day. We mainly hung around the ranch. Woke up to lots of fog!

They have some fruit trees to the side of the house we hadn't explored yet. 

Spent some time with the horses. 

Josh took them out one at a time to go over to their training pen. We started with Magic. 

Then we got Marmalade out. He had something on his back leg so Josh worked on spraying it off. You can see Magic in the background. 

When we took Marmalade up to the pen, Magic was running in his area and was VERY excited, which made it difficult to keep Marmalade focused and calm. 

It didn't last long and no body else got a chance to walk marmalade because they had hyped each other up. Just like dogs at a dog park they were ready to run and play, we should have blocked off Magic before going up there. 

The girls and I rode with Stephanie to the market to pick up somethings we needed for the pool party she was having that evening for us and some neighbors. 

Then when we got back we took the little farm car across the street to the lavender farm. 

I don't have many other pictures from this day, hung out at the pool, visiting with their neighbors who also had four young kids, had a great cookout. Then evening goat feeding. 

It's been really fun being here and away on vacay!

 

California Day 3 {July 30 - Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez, and Solvang}

 Hmm what day are we on? Oh Thursday. So Wednesday evening my brother rode his moto down, had it worked on at a nearby mechanic and met us for dinner at the hotel. Then he stayed on a boat of a friend in the nearby harbor. We walked to meet him for breakfast about halfway. 

Breakfast was about a ten minute walk away and we arrived about 8:45... it was kind of a shit show upon arrival, a sign at the door directing you to wait outside and scan the QR code to get added to a list... the place was mostly empty... then up walks a waitress at 9:00 and then they magically seat everyone waiting. Should have just said they didn't open til 9, annoying. Anywho, don't really recommend Hollywood Beach Cafe. But glad we finally got to eat. 

Then we walked over to the harbor to check out where my brother slept. Or attempted to sleep, he was reminded why although it seems like a great idea to sleep on a boat, it's really like camping and not much sleep happens in the end. Kids got to see the inside of a boat. 

 

And I flew my drone. 

Then we walked back to our hotel to get checked out and head up the coast. 

Our first stop was just ten minutes north: The Channel Islands National Park (visitor center) The Channel Islands are secluded off shore are require a planned boat ride and days worth of food/hiking supplies before a return 5-8 hours later. We knew this and opted to just visit the visitor center instead of planning an entire day hike. It'd be fun, but not with 4 hangry children, lol. Maybe we'll come back and Kyle and I can explore it someday. The visitor center was great and we watched a short movie telling also about the local history. 

Next stop was Santa Barbara downtown. We thought about going to the pier but did a drive by and decided Santa Monica pier a couple days ago met our pier seeing needs so followed josh and had a little driving tour of Santa Barbara before parking to walk along State Street and find some food. 

Picture with Uncle Josh

Walk by City Hall and the a quick jaunt into the public library. I'm a big fan of the author Sue Grafton and was hoping maybe they had a little showcase of info about her. Turns out they do sometimes but it's only an exhibit that is displayed at certain times. 

Back in/on our vehicles, we remembered the whole pressed penny thing (I have a big collection) and saw there was one at The Mission, so that made it worth a stop. Also kids were wanting water, but not water fountain, they did have bathrooms though. 

Quick stop at Target for sunscreen (and snacks) before heading up over the mountain to Josh and Stephanie's place in Santa Ynez. 

Their place is BEAUTIFUL! We got the tour and met ALL the animals. 

We met Marmalade

and Magic.

Fed them both as well as the neighbors goats/sheep, haha. 

Met their three goats: Tajin, Tamala, Tequila

and two dogs: Boots and Boogie

Then we hoped in the pool for a little swim before dinner. 

For dinner we rode into the town of Solvang to a savage garden. Solvang is a random dutch community in the middle of nowhere really. It was so weird, but so cool. 

Me, Mary, and Emma got 3 sausages to share and tried all three. Here's Mary's: 

Group photo!

Came back home, said goodnight to the animals and settled into bed. Kyle, myself and the girls shacked up in the AirBnB room of the garage and the boys took the guest room inside the house. Stephanie's daughter is staying in the airstream I shared a picture of up above.