Himalaya revitalized

Just when we thought we had fully exhausted the menu at Himalaya, the coconut curry and tikka burrito were discovered. These game changers had us coming back for more.

lime sherbert pie

This surrealistically oversized slice of lime sherbert pie, presented to us at Peasants Feast in Solvang, will live on in our memories. It certainly lives on in this photograph!

Peasants Feast revisited

Based on our two visits, we really like this place. One reason is that they serve great, interesting soups. This time it was leek; the previous time was squash. Both times were delicious.

California Nature Art Museum

What had been known as the Wildling Museum is now the California Nature Art Museum. The giant troll was striking, as were these images by William Neill.

scenes seen at Hotel Ynez

I can't argue with the aesthetics of Hotel Ynez. Even the misty morning walk to get coffee is a treat for the eyes (third photo). Later, a California quail passes through (bottom photo).

 

Mattei's Tavern 2025

Birthday dinners at Mattei's Tavern are always interesting...

Hotel Ynez pool revisited

There aren't many pools that Mrs. cares for but this one she likes. 

Nojoqui Falls Park

Some would say that even without the falls it's a nice spring walk.

Nojoqui Falls

Let's face it, when it comes to waterfalls Southern California is not the Finger Lakes or the Pacific Northwest. That being said, I enjoyed this verdant trickle near Solvang - Nojoqui Falls - for what it was.

French toast

Sometimes, while your partner sticks to the egg theme, you feel like something different so you get French toast (which of course also has egg), and it works. In France it's called pain perdue - "lost bread" - meaning it's a way of using up stale or leftover bread. In Canada it's sometimes called pain doré - "golden bread".

Solvang stroll, part 2

Solvang stroll

Craft House at Corque

Another fine dining option in Solvang, my first time. The Craft House restaurant is part of the Hotel Corque. A delightful birthday dinner, complete with picturesque mocktails.

 

Landsby happy hour

Famous for its castelvertrano olives, although not many on this particular plate.

Landsby 2025

A local classic, good for birthdays, the way it looked in 2025.

Good Seed 2025

H.B.

Look Again to the Wind

If you like Johnny Cash, Gillian Welch, Dave Rawlings, Emmylou Harris, Kris Kristofferson, Rhiannon Giddens and / or social justice, you may like this 2014 tribute to Johnny Cash's groundbreaking 1964 album Bitter Tears: Ballads of the American Indian. A very nice anniversary present from a certain someone.

San Joaquins train

The impressively smooth, Siemens-built, Amtrak-operated San Joaquins train. A piece of modern Europe in California's hot, dusty Central Valley.

Central Valley train stations

 Stockton, Modesto and Fresno.