As you know by now, We left Northern California on Memorial Day, heading east toward Garfield, MN to pickup our new motorhome. That took care of the first 1,998.7 miles, which were also the last miles we enjoyed with our previous motorhome, Nessie. After meeting Nessie's new owners and taking possession of Nessie02, we hit the road again. OK, another 5,475.9 miles later, we pulled into our home once again, a little early this year, but still happy to be here. We've enjoyed the company of many friends and family, and have spent an awesome time in the upper southeast. WV and GA were spectacular! Bill and Diane, Debbie and Larry, Ted and Phyllis, Bill and Linda, Chuck and Jill, Bruce and Cara and Mom and my Sister....the list goes on and on. We are so blessed to have so many friends and family members.
On our way home last week we stopped in Southern California to visit my Mom and Sister. They live very near one of the most beautiful cities in the state, Santa Barbara. After thousands of years of occupation by Chumash tribes, Sebastian Vizcaino gave the name Santa Barbara to the ocean channel that runs between a series of off shore islands and the mainland in 1602. The first European residences were Spanish missionaries under Felipe de Neve, who came in 1762 to build a Presidio which fortified the area and prevented expansion by England and Russia. In 1786, on December 4, the tenth of the famous California missions was dedicated by Padre Fermin Lasuen, the successor to Padre Junipero Serra as the second president and founder of the California Franciscan Mission Chain. In 1812, a powerful earthquake destroyed the mission, which was rebuilt in a grander fashion, and stands today as the best preserved of the California missions and an active church. After passing into Mexican hands in 1833, the mission fell bloodlessly to a battalion of American soldiers under John C. Fremont on December 27, 1846, and in 1848 became part of the United States.
Santa Barbara enjoys a Mediterranean climate and is known as "The American Riviera", which brings a billion dollars of tourist money into the city each year. With exciting fiestas held at various times during the year, a vibrant art and performing culture, and the world-renowned surfing available in the area, Santa Barbara remains a diverse and lively place to live and visit. Surfing at The Point or at Rincon have an especially nostalgic meaning for Donna and I, since that's where we spent so many days of those "Endless Summer(s)".
California doesn't have as extensive a historical past as the eastern US, but there are nonetheless many interesting historical sites to visit in Santa Barbara, which has preserved and cherished its Spanish and Mexican heritage. The Rafael Gonzalez House is an adobe structure that served as the residence of the alcalde of Santa Barbara in the 1820's. A giant Moreton Bay Fig tree is 80 feet tall and has one of the largest total shaded areas of any tree in North America. The Covarrubias Adobe was built in 1817, and the Hastings Adobe was built in 1854, partially from material recovered from the wreck of the S.S. Winfield Scott. Of course, the offshore Channel Islands Marine Santuary and National Park should be on a visitors list.
We weren't able to visit all of these points of interest, partly due to the fact that we had done so many years ago, but also because my 98-year-old Mother uses a cane for walking and didn't want to "slow us down". We did, however, visit the Santa Barbara Mission because it was easy to get to.
Mom and I had a little fun with the "Friars" outside the Visitors Center!
The floor tiles are original to the very first Mission, almost 200 years ago! They show signs of wear and include some pebbles that were used in the clay/mud mix, but now, with modern care techniques, they are only moderately worn. Amazing.
Sis, Mom, and I took a break along a path through the courtyard.
Near the front of the Mission, a bent Palm tree and a unique cactus represent Southern California!
Leaving the Mission behind, we drove a short distance to the Pacific Ocean.
Leaving SoCal, we crossed over Grapevine Pass into the Great Central Valley of California. These Golden hills comprise most of the Tejon Ranch Company. Pronounced Tey-hone, the ranch (listed on the NYSE) is based in Lebec, California. It is one of the largest private landowners in California, having been incorporated in 1936 to organize the ownership of a large tract of land that was consolidated from four Mexican land grants acquired in the 1850's and 60's by ranch founder Edward Fitzgerald Beale. The company now owns over 270,000 acres in the southern San Joaquin Valley, Tehachapi mountain range, and the adjacent Antelope Valley. It is the largest contiguous piece of private property in the state. Tejon Ranch's agricultural operation primarily grows almonds, pistachios, and wine grapes, along with some alfalfa and the occasional row crop. Cattle leases cover about 250,000 acres, and up to 12,000head of cattle can be found grazing on the ranch.
So ends another summer trip in the United States of America. We will enjoy spending a bit of time here in Northern California, with the hope of hiding the road again in January, 2019, if the Good Lord is willing and the Creeks don't Rise!
Best to all and have a Happy Thanksgiving and a Wonderful and Merry Christmas!
