Home and missing CA

I've been back in Connecticut for about a little over a week now.


End of the trip was all about transportation debacles (car broke down, expensive cab/car rental, missed flight connection in DTW causing an overnight stay and delay getting home).

While they say that dessert is the thing you remember from a meal because it comes last - I am trying hard to revel in the memories of the hors d'oeuvre, appetizer and entree of this amazing travel meal I had!





















SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS:
Time with my sister
Visiting with family - new and old
The Ocean (not the Sound)
Bike Riding
Polly's on the Pier
The Seals
The Wedding (so gorgeous!)
Driving through new places (always a favorite)
Big Sur at Night (despite the guy who paid me $20 cash for gas and pumped $30 on my credit card)
Carmel Farmer's Market
Happy Valley
Betsy, Jesse, Terre, Gabe, Kelly, Charlie, David, Theresa, Sonia and Stella
Santa Cruz and it's vibe
Bonny Doon's Cellar Door Cafe
Did I mention? The Ocean
Big Sur (OMG!)
Nepenthe for the view AND the food
Hearst Ranch (and cow)
Family in PVE
The Ocean - every single day!

It really was an exceptional trip and even tho' I spent money that maybe I shouldn't have (since I'm still unemployed after 8 months), I am doing my best to focus on the opoprtunity that I had, the memories I made and trust that good things come to those who wait! (and wait, and wait)

So - thanks for sharing this personal diary. Know that I'll soon figure out how to better tweak the HTML so that the photos end up where I WANT them and if I end up relocating to California (currently under some consideration) - I'll let you know!

Later Dude!
A bientôt!
Hasta la vista!

Bye.

US Travel “System” ??

I consider myself a pretty experienced traveler… I enjoy the adventure, people watching, seeing new places, the whole ball of wax. However – who designed the security “system” for our airports and do they really think it’s efficient?

My paternal grandparents were world travelers back in the 60’s-70’s. Those were the days when people dressed with care to go from place to place; smiling skycaps greeted you at the curb and assisted with checking in luggage; when full meals were served on china during most flights, and they weren't an additional cost! It’s amazing to me how much travel has changed during the last 40 years.

My experience so far this morning at 5:30am would have been less than gracious had I not been self sufficient and ready with a smile. “Cattle Call” is all I can relate it to. It went something like this:

Lv house @ 4:55AM – drop car @ Enterprise by 5:25am, where they discover I drove w/ expired plates from Santa Barbara – Nice partnership between the branches – no?

Bus to airport – arrive at 5:35am – all good – right? Flight’s at 7:05am – tons of time. NOT! 300-400 people in the first of many lines to check in and get aboard.

I counted four lines that we were prodded through. First baggage check in – where you are now "encouraged" to use the “self-service” kiosks, pay an additional $15-20 per bag and then schlep over to TSA for them to tag it.

Then – off to “security” – for the once over again. Then to “boarding security” where your carry-on bags are scanned, as are you, your laptop, your shoes (and in my case – my water was tested), before you are allowed to continue the walk to your gate.

I'm also wondering if it's only me who's noticed that the airport designers also appear to be in cahoots? They design the airports to feel like a ”soft” version of the corral almost in a Disney-esque kind of way – winding hallways, local art on display, shops, to give you a false sense of actually being close to your gate – when that’s not often the case.

I know that alot of this has to do with the times we live in - more people moving around the country/world; everyone vying for the “best fare”, potential dangers to aircraft, etc. But to me it starts to feel a bit demeaning, and can take some of the joy out of the experience.

The best part (not!) is that you get to do this a number of times during your travel day, depending on how many airports you are going through. I’m not sure what other countries do (and I expect a cousin or two can fill me in on this) – but I’ve got to believe that there is a better way to “keep us safe”… and does this actually accomplish that goal???

Sand, Sights, Smells and Saving a Cow!

So, today may have been one of my best days my best days EVER! The downfall was that I left my pals in Santa Cruz after just settling in.

Probably could have used one more day there after discovering the Bonny Doon Cellar Door Café last night – WOW! The space is gorgeous - a rehabbed cannery – industrial and warm at the same time – lots of wood – great art – zeppelin-shaped tables (their logo) and colorful fiesta ware.

Amazingly clean and gorgeous food, by the inimitable Charlie Parker. Things I had never eaten before – Fried Pedron Peppers with Chevre; Pizza with Pate and Shitakes - yep -"pate" - Halibut with blackberries and pistachios, veal cheeks with a fresh corn succotash – all in the comfort of Sonia and Stella’s home. Elevates “take out” to a whole new level!

After spending the morning with Betsy, Terre and Jesse, I packed the car, waved good-bye and headed south after a quick trip into town. Another reason to stay one more day… Lots of cool art, street musicians, sculpture, etc. (See the separate post on Santa Cruz.)





BIG SUR
As I drove south I could actually smell the crops that were growing - artichokes (10/$1), strawberries, sea air (salt) and grapes – similar to my drive through upper NY State. SO GREAT, life affirming and rejuvenating, in a weird sort of way. First stop – a nature preserve - jelly fish, washed up seals (SO SAD) and a parking ticket ($64 bucks – never saw the sign!) I was really looking forward to today – I had missed Big Sur on the way north – did it in the dark. NOTHING could have prepared me. I wish I could have taken you with me and hope that you will consider adding this route to your future travel plans. It really deserves to be shared with a friend or loved one – someone who can confirm that you aren’t dreaming as you look at the scenery.

I was speechless. Ocean on the right, mountains on the left – colors that can’t be explained and each view is better than the last as you cut through the mountainous terrain! I HAD to share it with someone and Joe Hoey was the lucky recipient – thank goodness he answered the phone!









DINING AL FRESCO
Both Betsy and my Uncle had mentioned Nepenthe in Big Sur. GPS told me I had missed it, so I despite my memory I went back and forth for a total of 12 miles until… I found it and am soooo glad I did. The view is outstanding; the food exceptional – caprese salad with heirloom tomatoes, a ground sirloin burger w/ cheddar on a soft French bread roll and good fries (was wishing for truffle salt, tho’) – accompanied by Greg’s Lucia Pinot Noir (only one – I was incredibly controlled). They were in the midst of setting for dinner and I imagine the place takes on a magical air in the candlelight with the roar of the ocean below.
Next time: Dinner and a room nearby. Thanks, too, to Tracy, Lucia and all of the staff for making me feel so welcome (and like a local – always my test!) Please note: This was a splurge – a $50 lunch w/ gratuity. You can go for just apps and/or coffee or a glass of wine, if you’re trying to stay on a budget. The view is NOT to be missed. I did take a quick look in the shop. Nice gifts if you are in the market.

So it’s 5:15pm, I’ve been driving (and stopping) since 1pm and still have 2+ hours to go before I get to Cambria.

I have decided that stopping every 10-15 minutes to take pictures isn’t really going to work anymore if I ever want to "get there" so I barrel through – enjoying the scenery and singing all the way (thanks to Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, Black Eyed Peas, the Puppini Sisters and Michaell Jackson – among others.) I’m trying to make it to the Elephant Seals at Half Moon Bay. Also want to make it to Cambria – which a) is on the ocean and b) seems like a sweet town/village to bed down in. But then a COW appears!

THE COW
So most of us know that I live adjacent to 100 acres and have had to occasionally deal with cows. Here I am – in northern California, driving south, along the ocean, with a pretty big ranch on my left, when I see a cow tangled in the barbed wire fence!

Of course, I pull over – because if he/she gets loose, she could be hamburger on US 1! So I park the car on the ocean (West) side of the road – cross and walk north to the small herd of cows (Meat, not Dairy, I think) As I cross the freeway, I think “what am I doing?”- but then I know that I am saving a bovine friend, so I carry on. I get closer to the damsel/master in distress, I yell “He-yah! He-Yah!” (where did I learn that???) and it listens, untangles itself and heads back towards the herd – such as it is.


Then I find the break in the fence line – I think “I have to fix this” (of course) – so I tentatively touch the wire to be sure that it’s not “live” and then proceed to try to tie it together so that they can’t escape until it’s repaired. All of this time – the cows are still – staring at me – and seem to be saying “who IS this woman?, “She’s not the boss of us!” I’m thinking – “better me than a Hummer”.

So now I’m on a mission. Have to find someone to let them know that there’s a break in the fence line. I find out later that this “ranch” goes for about 40 miles north and the likelihood of actually finding a person along my way are slim to none.

I get my bearings and figure out where, exactly the break is and begin driving. One mile. Nothing. 2.5 miles I find a highway emergency box, press zero and ask probably one of the most inane questions ever to the guy who answers “Do you have any idea who owns the ranch across the street from this box?” This semi-urban girl is thinking that I have most certainly reached a local emergency number who could plot the location of the phone I’m using and give me the answer. NOT SO MUCH. (I’ll bet that guy laughed all night!)



Onward I go. Watching for gates, housing, vehicles, anything that might indicate civilization on “the ranch”. Three miles. Five miles – I stop at Piedra Blanca Rancho – picture fancy wrought iron gate, roses, keypad. I think “Dallas” and that there might be a phone or camera-no luck. So U-turn and off I go - a total of six miles south where I reach a turn off that puts me into the tiniest town I’ve ever seen. (If I went back and looked, it is probably the church, school and housing for local ranch hands.)

All I care is that I’ve located a “General Store”, with some folks enjoying a nice cerveza on the deck. I ask if they are locals (yes!) and explain what’s happened. They are amazed that I have bothered to try to take care of this and one woman goes inside to make the call. I am gratified to know that my efforts weren’t in vain and that word is getting to the ranch manager that a repair needs to be made. The best part? I ask them, as I am explaining what happened – “do you know how far north the ranch across route one goes or who owns it?” “Oh”, they say, “ you mean the HEARST RANCH?” How much do I love this????!! Hahahahahaha! I saved a privileged cow. Makes me incredibly happy.

As the sun is setting in the west, I keep an eye out for the Elephant Seals that I saw almost in the dark on the way north. These guys/gals weigh 2-3,000 lbs and are huge and roar like crazy! (I learned later in the evening that I have missed the turn off to Half Moon Bay again - c'est la vie! I end up pulling over just between San Simeon (I did see the Hearst Castle up on the hill and will save it for the next trip) and Cambria to a beach with pelicans, seagulls, plovers and another amazing view. Plover movie to follow if technology complies.

While I usually tend to go beyond my limit when driving and push another hour or so –I decide to stay here - on the water in Cambria - Moonstone Beach to be exact. So I make a few phone calls and check into the Mariner’s Inn - $79/night – no view. Not the Portofino - but close to the ocean and the sweet village of Cambria proper. After checking in and checking email – I head out to dinner.

I decide on the place two doors down, the Sea Chest. It’s jammin’ and, as usual I head to the Bar – which in this case is described to me as the “Oyster Bar”. Again, I say, “not so much.” Copper lined, U shaped bar but directly on the hot line – nice just the same. Food-wise, it’s no Stone House, but I DO meet interesting/conversive people – both locals and out of towners – a rock and roll promoter, former spa owner, (both local) a “guilder” – from DC (how cool is that??!), a pool company owner (swimming – not cue) and a restaurant owner from Bakersfield. Guilder Bill and I closed the place! (at 10:30)

Friday brings 4+ hours of driving south to LA – maybe dinner with Jen DeRosa at Loteria Grill in Hollywood; getting Shana’s car cleaned and finding a place to lay my head before a 7am flight back East.

At midnight – 31 hours before I leave – I continue to wonder WHY I don’t live on this coast? Despite the fire, winds and earthquakes – the weather is amazing, the vistas can’t be beat and the people are much more relaxed and welcoming. Who do we suppose can hire me (and pay for a x-country move)? Can I make a living here? Can I AFFORD to live here? Would EOB visit? Anyone else? I DO like to shake up my life every 10 years or so… and it’s not as far as Tahiti!

Happy Valley

So here I am in Happy Valley after spending the last few days with family and then traveling up the coast. So good to see Betsy - it's been 8 months since our last unexpected visit. Jesse and mom, Terre, and neighbors and friends, Dave, Theresa, Kelly, Charlie and Gabe are great!


They all live on an exquisite piece of property (300 acres?!) outside of Santa Cruz - acres and acres of open land, pear and apple orchards, lemon trees, grapes and more! Coyotes and deer regularly visit the families in the shared homes of this "Conservancy". It's beautiful - peaceful and an exceptional place that I am fortunate to be able to visit.




After a quick tour of town with Jesse, Gabe and Betsy, we four arrived home to the beginnings of a dinner party (the first of many to come in this neighborhood, I'm sure!) Betsy made an amazing mushroom lasagna!

Santa Cruz

You never know where life is going to take you... or how people you meet and connect with briefly, will turn up later and be just as enjoyable. This is the reason I have the opportunity to visit Santa Cruz, CA and a dear friend.

Back in the mid-80's while working for a shoreline catering company, I briefly met Betsy McNair - a talented chef/caterer, music lover, fun and crazy, in a good sort of way. We've crossed paths occasionally over the past 20+ years via email, phone, a quick meal here or there. Betsy has lived in Santa Cruz for almost as long... so we made a plan to visit when I came for the wedding.

I chose to drive from LA to Santa Cruz on US Rte. 1/101 over two days and 9+ hours to take advantage of the scenery. Had I known how great Santa Cruz was, I might have taken the alternate faster route so that I could have stayed longer!

Established as a mission in 1791 and an hour (or less) south of San Francisco, this historic city has a great vibe. Home to the University of California - Santa Cruz, it has the energy of a college town - incredibly liberal; a great music scene; sustainable living in progress, including amazing farms/restaurants; an artists'haven - sculpture, murals, poster, painting, pottery, galleries galore.

Architecture ranges from gorgeous Victorian homes to Arts & Crafts bungalows, Mission-style houses - many along the beach front. The Santa Cruz boardwalk, as well as the large number of rehabbed deco theatres which now survive as concert halls, draw a variety of tourists.

If I had to guess, other than the great people I met while visiting, I'd have to say that it's the lifestyle that's a draw to me. Relaxed, healthy, affordable produce and flowers - nice!

Take a peek:

on the road again

The wedding was beautiful - we've had time to spend with family and new friends and now Erin and I are going our separate ways. She flies out early tomorrow to return home and I start driving North along the coast this afternoon.

Will fill you in on everything a bit later.

Good-bye Portofino - Hello Santa Cruz!

Wedding

What an amazing day! The Bride got her wish for sun and clear skies over Palos Verdes Estates on Saturday, August 15th. as Shanna Thompson and Michael Zareski were married in the historical Neighborhood Church, followed by a reception at the elegant Chateau la Mer.

Who would have guessed that these two incredible people, growing up miles apart, would get married to each other practically in their combined back yards?

Exquisite views, signature cocktails, and hand picked hors d'ouevre were the theme of the afternoon... Tangerine Basil Z'tini, Michael's Cucumber Mint Mojito, Fruit-filled Sangria Blanca, Lamb Chops dressed with coffee and dried portobello, scallop ceviche and tuna tartar among the favorites. A selection of ice creams and gelatos with brownies, shortbread cookies, caramel and mocha cream added a final sweet touch.

I will let the photos speak for themselves.