9th Anniversary Weekend

Mike's favorite band Guster was playing in Santa Barbra June 22nd and he really wanted to go but I had camp scheduled from the 17th through the 22nd. So the plan was for him to go without me and go with his sister Lindsey and her husband Brad.  A month after purchasing the tickets, due to some unexpected changes we had to shorten camp by one day that meant I'd get home on the 21st. With this new change of plans Mike asked his mom to watch the girls for the weekend so I could go with and we could celebrate our 9th anniversary together (Thank you Wendy!).

Mike was concerned about what I would do while they were at the concert and I reassured him that I would be just fine, that some quality time with a book after being gone with a group of teenage girls was just what I would need.

Saturday morning we dropped the girls off at Grandma Wendy's and headed west. We stopped in our old stomping ground of Pasadena, Ca to have lunch with our friends the Hendricksons at Slater's 50/50. They are known for their 50/50 burgers made of 50% beef and 50% bacon. It was kinda funny because the guys loved it us wives not so much.  After lunch we grabbed some frozen yogurt at 21 choices for old times sake. Then we headed northward toward Santa Barbra.

We got a cute room at the Beach House Inn just 2 blocks from the beach between the wharf and the harbor that we split with the Lindsey and Brad. The property was cute and inviting. The rooms were nice and one of the cool features was the heating- all by the fireplace.

After settling in Mike, Lindsey and Brad headed to the Santa Barbra bowl to listen to Guster, Ben Fold's 5 and Barenaked Ladies. They had a great time. And even brought back the makings for Rootbeer floats.

 As for me, I did exactly what I wanted to. I read a book literally the whole thing but stopped around sunset to go down to the beach to watch the sunset.  I was confused. As I was sitting there waiting for the sun to go down over the ocean I couldn't figure out why the sun was not over the water but behind me going down behind the mountain.  Apparently Santa Barbra isn't exactly on the west coast it turns the mountains are west. It was really disorienting. I had a very pleasant quiet evening just what was needed.

Before we left for breakfast I wanted my picture taken on this cool tree. The way it had been cut made a perfect seat. Which in my mind was a great picture spot and I'm glad I did because I actually like the way this picture came out. It's my favorite photo of me of late.

After my photo op we walked to Esau's Cafe which is the oldest breakfast/lunch spot in Santa Barbra and grabbed breakfast. It was yummy. I had french toast but not as brave as Brad who go the french toast coated in corn flakes which was apparently good but I'm old fashioned.

After breakfast we headed our own ways for the day. We headed further into town to see find a bookstore. It's always fun to see what type of collectibles they might have. Along the way we went down an alley called La Arcada and one of the things to do was visit the turtles. So we did. The other picture is of the historic mission bell. We did finally make it to the bookstore to find it closed still. Nothing in Santa Barbra opens until 10 and 11am.

While waiting for bookstore to open we went and visited the clock tower at the courthouse. We were told by the guy who checked us in at the Beach House Inn this was something we didn't want to miss. So here we are enjoying the view. Mike's standing in the original courthouse room. The paintings tell the history of Santa Barbra.

We made it to the bookstore which was a little confusing. They literally shelved the new and used books on the same shelf so it was difficult to browse when looking for the older editions and signed copies of nothing in particular.  But that was okay it kept money in our pockets. We took the shuttle back down to the wharf and walked the pier.

There was an art show down at the beach so we walked a couple blocks looking at the art work until it went from drawing/painting/photography to craft art which isn't our thing so I had us cross the street and walk back through a park which had a koi pond. One so I can see it and two to avoid the guy selling the photograph of Bryce Canyon in the winter that Mike wanted to buy.



 Our last stop was the harbor for lunch. We got to sit outside on a patio to enjoy lunch. I still wasn't that hungry from breakfast so I had a Ceasar salad and Mike ordered a lobster bisque served in a bread bowl. It was a great day. Next year we get away for more than 48 hours.

 It's been a great 9 years. Thanks to my amazing husband for making Happily Ever After a reality.