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Busy, beautiful weekends

By Patricia On October 13, 2011 In Amazing!, California, Photography, Sailing, Santa Barbara, Travels With No Comments Permanent Link to Busy, beautiful weekendsPermalink

Every once in a while, you come across these perfect weekends spent not only surrounded by incredible scenery and weather, but by amazing people. In my last trip up to Santa Barbara, I met Doug, who sails with Sleeper — a Lindenberg 26. He arranged for me to come up this weekend, basically for a trial run — to see if I was game enough to go on an overnight race out to Santa Cruz island this upcoming weekend.

I left a little later than I would’ve liked, so my choices leaving Santa Monica were to sit in traffic on the 405 or to sit in traffic on the PCH.

Obviously, I chose the PCH. It’s a gorgeous drive north, first through the coast and then some picturesque farmland.

I stayed with the co-owner of Sleeper, Cheryl, in her stunning Santa Barbara home. I walked through the door, and was speechless with the view.

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Santa Barbara and Friends

By Patricia On August 31, 2011 In California, Photography, Travels With 1 Comment Permanent Link to Santa Barbara and FriendsPermalink

Out of my own volition, it would have never occurred to me visiting Santa Barbara. I had heard of it, but I had no idea what people do there, or why one would go there. Thankfully, I have friends who not only know of great places, but invite me along on their adventures. My friends drove from Phoenix, spent a day in LA, picked me up Friday night, and we drove north. Although the posts on this Web site don’t show it, there have been tiring and stressful moments trying to start a new life out here in Los Angeles, but seeing familiar, welcoming faces made me feel so at ease and happy.

The next day, we found a Farmer’s Market. It was full of life and color, and the feeling of community. I’ll have to find one near me, so I can get fresh produce and flowers.

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A new home by the beach

By Patricia On August 17, 2011 In California, Photography, Travels With 5 Comments Permanent Link to A new home by the beachPermalink

I’m living in Long Beach at the moment, and I’ll write more about that in a future post, but for now, I believe there’s been too much talking and not enough photos around here.

I met Manuel and Maria fishing by the Long Beach Marina. Manuel kept asking if I was from Univision, I’m guessing because of the big camera.

Manuel and Maria own a ranch out in Lancaster. A long time ago, two sales people came by his ranch and sold him a laptop, which he thinks he overpaid for, and I’m sure he did. They also sold him a hard water filter. The fact still bugs him, yet he gripped about it without the least trace of ill-will or bitterness. Since this anecdote was relevant enough for him to share with me, it’s relevant enough to write about on this post. Manuel and Maria come fishing quite often to catch dinner, and “because I like spending time with her,” Manuel said pointing his shin in Maria’s direction.

“You have to tell women things like that,” he said, in a lower voice, as if giving me advice. “So they feel flattered.”

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Travel Thursday: Catalina Island Sailing

By Patricia On June 23, 2011 In Sailing, Travels With No Comments Permanent Link to Travel Thursday: Catalina Island SailingPermalink

It has been about three years (or more) since I’ve been telling myself that I’ll move to California to be closer to sailing. While I was on vacation in Los Angeles, I did a little Wednesday night sailing — and what best way to spend a mid-week afternoon than sailing? Then, on Saturday we sailed out to Catalina Island. The beginning of the race was slightly concerning since the winds were scant, and I was afraid the race would drag on forever,  but soon enough they picked up and propelled us forth toward BBQing and camping at a reasonable speed.

Catalina Island 2011

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San Francisco in the Rain

By Patricia On June 19, 2011 In Travels With No Comments Permanent Link to San Francisco in the RainPermalink

The iconic San Francisco Trolley will set you back $5. But as is the case with all things created by intricate mechanical systems, the trolley is given to breaking down, or needing repair, or perhaps it was just having a long series of bad days and it really just needed a vacation. Whatever the cause, when the trolley is not working, its routes are replaced by common, run-of-the-mill buses with a more wallet-friendly fare of $2. I boarded one of these, and once I was firmly on my way to Fisherman’s Wharf, I noticed the bus deviate from the route drawn on the map. I waited a few seconds, building up the courage to openly reveal myself as a clueless tourist instead of the savvy local, and softly asked the driver about the route change.

“You don’t want to see this bus try to go down that hill,” said the driver. “Especially in these wet roads.”

“Now that you mention it, no, sir I would not,” I said.

Then he laughed.

San Francisco, California bus riding

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