I've accompanied P to Santa Barbara for a few days while he does research and works on his novella. I'm astonished for having lived in California a combined 16 years and to have never visited Santa Barbara before now. With its beautiful tree-lined streets, cloudless blue sky, palm trees and beach and white-stucco Spanish architecture, its amazing it can also have such a relaxed and comfortable air about it.Were staying at the El Prado Inn at the north end of the main drag, State Street. Yesterday after lunch we rented hybrid bicycles and took a lovely toodle through Santa Barbara and along the beach as far in each direction as the oceanside beach path would take us. I had spent the morning in a cafe, catching up on my Chronicle reading (much like my mother-in-law that catches up on weeks of newspapers over one weekend at the lake). After a rest in the grass under the shade of a palm tree, we pedaled back to the hotel where I took a dip in the perfect-temperature pool before showering to get ready for dinner.
The day before had been a travel day, lunching at In-n-Out near Morgan Hill on our way down the coast, with a pass through Solvang "Danish Town" before arriving at our hotel about 5:30. We were hungry and a tiny bit road weary so we immediately took a walk over to Robo's aunt's pizza joint, Paesano's, for incredible thin-slice pizza and a Greek salad. We wound down our evening with a long walk all the way down State Street to the ocean and pier, then a leisurely return with a stop at a Cold Stone creamery for a chocolate and Reese's mix-in along the way.
Last night was warm and balmy, so a dinner al fresco was a must. We had a delicious meal accompanied with wine at the lovely Cafe Buenos Aires, then started a conversation turned argument then resolved that lasted until after midnight.
I think we're both a bit poophed today from it all. And I feel a little bad since I tagged along as a support for the endeavor, and I feel like last night was much more of a hinderance. At least we realized that 99% or our life and relationship is amazing. But that 1% can sometimes have so much strength and power, we can loose site of the big picture.
But right now we are at two separate tables working on our laptops, so it feels like all is well and working and life is as lovely and great as we hope it to be. We're at the South Coast Deli and cafe on the corner of Chapala & Micheltorena. My battery is dying so I'll be closing. But more soon, I promise!
