Leaving Santa Barbara

...which doesn't sound as cool as Leaving Las Vegas, but does not have the concomitant angst, either, so it's all good. I've taken a few days getting settled back at home before taking up blogging again, but I really am trying to get back on an at least semi-weekly blogging schedule. As always, we'll see.

Saturday was the last day of the workshop so that evening a bunch of us took a long walk on the beach during which time I took tons more pictures of the ocean, which look remarkably like the pictures of the ocean that I have already posted, so I won't bore you. Suffice it to say it was gorgeous! We walked up to a bar on a pier and had a farewell beer together.


I don't know why it came out all wonky like that. I am not a picture-taking goddess.

On Sunday, my flight did not leave until almost 10 pm, so I had the day to myself to walk around Santa Barbara. Before I struck out on my own, Becca, Kasper and I investigated the largest Moreton Bay Fig tree in North America. That's what those cool trees on campus were! (Yes, Adam, it's a type of Banyan!)


Then I started strolling down State Street, the main drag of the town. I went to the Art Museum (Sunday is free day!!).


They were featuring a great exhibition of Hollywood photography from the first half of the 20th century. Some of those old photos are just amazing. Current photography doesn't seen to hold a candle to it. Alas, I could not take photos inside the museum.

I found a cute little plaza-like area -- an alley with shopfronts more-like. It's called La Arcada and it's cute as a button.



There is some great public art:



And part of it was apparently once a church:


After walking some more, I treated myself to a wonderful last meal on the west coast. I found a charming Danish bistro/bakery called Andersen's. I mean, c'mon, they had a harpist!!


The special that day was crab cakes benedict. I said, "Yes!" Oh, and they had Chimay!!


And it came with a "surprise" dessert! This was the surprise. Yummy!!!


Thus ended my trip to Santa Barbara. Then I flew all night (with two layovers!) and it sucked and I came home and my luggage didn't make it, but luckily it came late Monday night and I slept all day and then I went back to work on Tuesday. All that is not nearly so blog-able. Plus, I was tired and cranky the whole time. You don't want to hear about that.

So now I'm getting back into the groove and there will be knitting/crochet content again soon! Plus, stash enhancement! w00t!!! Now you'll come back, I know it! ;)

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