Ocean Beach Park

 

Who knew that you could visit this tiny county park surrounded by Vandenberg Air Force Base? First impression: this estuary where the Santa Ynez River spills into the Pacific is a good birdwatching spot.

Alisal Fire

 

Driving north along highway 101 we saw land recently charred by the Alisal Fire. There was also an occasional dollop of fire retardant (red streak in bottom photo).

the visitor

the cheese rind question

 

I realize that I should have gotten clear on this a long time ago, but: it's okay to eat the rinds on most cheeses - so long as they aren't wax or cloth or something inedible.

a near perfect beverage

Let's see... bubbly water, not sweet, with a touch of citrus. What's there not to love?

Agave Maria fountain

 

We've eaten here may times but never (to the best of my knowledge) at this particular table with this particular proximity to this particular fountain. 

returning through the forest

 

Crossing the Los Padres National Forest via highway 33 was a pleasure because apparently the road was recently repaved and reinforced, complete with brand spanking new guardrails. Maybe with the drought and the pandemic someone thought its was a good time to get the work done. Sometimes these roads through National Forests can be a bit sketchy and scary, but not this one. These photos capture the first time we ever took this road south, back to Ojai. I was at the wheel and Mrs. was at the camera.

beyond the Plain

 

The bumpy, unpaved world of Carrizo Plain finally gave way to the paved world of state highways 58 and 33. An interesting roller coaster ride through the Temblor Range was followed by brief glimpses of Taft and Maricopa.

Carrizo Plain then and now

 

Above, from my first visit in 2000; below, my most recent visit in 2021.

Soda Lake

 

Soda Lake Overlook

 

Carrizo crossing

 

I had previously entered Carrizo Plain National Monument from the north and from the south, but never had I driven across the entire 246,812 acre preserve. We did this crossing from south to north. The first thing we learned is that not all of Soda Lake Road is paved. The second thing is that parts of the plain are very plain, primitive, and mind-numbingly remote.

why?

 

The bozos who deface federal property either have no concept of the penalties or are just plain insane.

Cuyama Buckhorn revisited

 

Who said you can't find good gazpacho in these parts?