Life Is Beautiful. Jenn's Blog: Hana and Jenn's Excellent Adventure: Santa Barbara, CA February, 2014

In the first week of February, 2014, I had the opportunity to visit my hometown of beautiful Santa Barbara, CA. to attend a grant application workshop at the Fund for Santa Barbara. It is my goal to learn how to write a grant proposal this year so that I can write them for non-profits that I support, mainly related to environmental and animal non-profits. Since I grew up in S.B. and now live in the mountains (Eastern Sierras), I really miss the ocean and need my regular ocean fixes.

The workshop was for two afternoons, but I planned my trip to stay another 2 days so that I could play more. My husband, Peter, could not go with me as this was a spontaneous trip. Since I would be staying at my dad's condo, I took my dog, Hana. I have so much fun with her. She most definitely increases the quality of my life.

On our way out of town, I stopped in Bishop to see my horse, Caartouche. I normally ride him 3 days a week, and although I did not have time to ride him on this day, I turned him out. In the picture posted here, you can see what a beautiful area this is. I have another blog I do related to my endurance riding: http://easternsierrarider.blogspot.com/2014_01_01_archive.html

My awesome 100 mile endurance horse, Caartouche.

Hwy 395

We arrived in S.B. around 9 p.m. I had a nice visit with my dad and went to sleep. The next morning my workshop did not start until noon, so I took Hana to Goleta Beach and walked with her up on the bluff to Campus Point and then because it was low tide, we walked back on the beach. It was a brilliant, sunny, clear, warm, day. The ocean was glistening in the sunlight. Unfortunatley I forgot my camera at home so I could not take any photos. I had so much fun with Hana throwing a stick in the ocean for her to retrieve and then watch her roll, roll, roll, and then roll some more. I also practiced the art of skipping stones over the ocean.

Before moving to Mammoth Lakes in 1997, my son, Erik, and I lived at my dad's for Erik's first 8 years. My dad lives approx. 5 minutes away from Goleta Beach and Campus Point. I have so many great memories of Campus Point. My dad, Erik and I would go there most weekends in the summer months and surf or boggie board. A few years before I moved I bought an Ocean Kayak and spent not only the weekends at Campus Point, but many evenings surfing in my kayak while the sun set.

After exhausting Hana, I dropped her back off at my dads and then went to my workshop, which was amazing.

When I got home, my dad, Hana and I went back to Goleta Beach to take a walk and watch the sunset. I kept Hana on a leash because I did not want her to go in the water since it was getting late. The sunset was spectacular!

My dad, Jim, and Hana girl

The next morning Hana and I were limited in our adventures because something wonderful happened: it RAINED! California is experiencing a severe drought this year, so rain was much appreciated and needed. Before my workshop, I spent a few hours downtown visiting the Environmental Defense Center (EDC), where I volunteered the last few years before moving, as well as checking out Antioch University's new campus. I went to college later in life, and I received my B.A. from Antioch the same year that I moved to Mammoth in 1997. The new campus is much larger and even more beautiful than the last campus location. I did not have my camera with me, but if I did, I would of taken some photos of the patio/deck on the top floor and the great views. (I now realize that I just need to have my camera with me at all times. I do not have a smart phone to take photos with.) If you click on the link to Antioch University at the bottom of this page, there is photo that comes up on the homepage that is the view you see from the top deck.

When I got back to my dads around 4ish, the rain had stopped, so I took Hana for a walk at Lake Los Caneros, which is about 5 minutes from my dads. It smelled amazing after the rain, mostly of eucalyptus.

I had a great evening that night. My sister, dad and I went to dinner at a Mexican restaurant that I have been going to forever in Goleta, Pepe's, and then we went and saw the movie Gravity, which was showing in 3D. It was pretty funny the 3 of us watching the movie with those funny glasses on. (Again-should of had my camera).

The next day was Friday and although it was not sunny, it was not raining. It was cloudy. I had the whole day to play, and Hana and I had a great day!

First we took our usual morning walk around the neighborhood, and I brought my camera to snap some shots of some of the beautiful flowers and other growing things.

I love the smell of Jasmine.

Then we headed off for the day and went for a hike up Rattlesnake Canyon, which is one of my favorite hikes in S.B.

I live a privileged life.

I am on a (extreme) budget. Besides gas money, I had $50.00 spending money. (As a side note, I realize that for the majority population of the world, someone could probably survive a year with $50.00). I brought a cooler with my own food for meals, and of course, I brought Hana's food. Besides the luxury of dinner and a movie out with my sister and dad, and $20.00 set aside for the Farmer's Market, I had about $8.00 left.

After our hike, I headed over to The Mesa to go for a walk on the beach. I had planned to stop by one of my favorite markets in S.B., Lazy Acres, prior to going to the beach. I feel so much joy just walking the aisles of that store. After finally deciding on one of the numerous yummy smoothies that they offer, I placed my order and got my drink and set off for my own adventure viewing all the healthy and nutritious offerings. Besides the smoothie section, I especially love their deli, bake shop, cheese selection, and fresh fish selection. Oh-and their salad bar and wine and beer selection. And the olive bar. They have a great produce selection, but IMO the best place to purchase fresh, local produce is the Farmer's Markets in Santa Barbara. I would of liked to get some fresh, local halibut to take home with me, but the price was too high for me at $27.00 a pound. I am not complaining at all. I think that all fish and meat should cost close to this. I just did not have the money this trip. I ended up purchasing 2 notecards with Santa Barbara scenery from a local artist.

Then we went to the beach. There are a lot of beaches in S.B. I have a few favorites based on my past experiences besides Campus Point which include Hendry's Beach, Butterfly Beach, and 1000 steps. We went to 1000 steps because it was on the Mesa (which is where Lazy Acres is).

1000 Steps

Friday evening I stayed home at my dad's to visit with him more.

Saturday morning I packed up the car after a leisure morning, including walking Hana in the neighborhood with all the pretty flowers, and headed home. I had a few stops planned though. First stop, the S.B. Saturday Farmers Market.

My trip had been beyond excellent, but on Saturday at the Farmer's Market it got even better. I ran into my cousin, Jill, who was working at a booth there. I had not seen or talked to her for some years. I learned that she is the coordinator of Santa Barbara Backyard Bounty. I have the link listed below. One of the things that her team of awesome volunteers does it go to people's homes and harvest the excess fruit and/or vegetables that otherwise would go to waste. The harvested produce then goes to the Santa Barbara Food Bank. The work she does is very inspiring!

Next stop was in Ventura, which is on my way home to meet up with my Uncle John, one of my mom's brothers, and his girlfriend, Barbara, who I had never met. I had not seen John in over 10 years. We met up in Ventura and John and Barbara took me out to lunch, then John and I took Hana to the beach to get some exercise before our drive home.

My uncle John and me.

As much as I miss Santa Barbara and the ocean, I love living in the Eastern Sierras even more and working and playing in the mountains. I just need to figure out who I can help to get a better supply of local produce in our area.