Sunday, July 29, 2007

Coast'n in Cali

Sights from our trip into Los Angeles and up the coast to Santa Barbara and the Lompoc Valley


Yes! The best burgers in California!



Windmill Farm near Palm Springs



Couldn't resist a trip into the city







Up the coast ... Malibu


We stopped here at a Sand Dune just north of Malibu ... famous people like Andy Tvardzik have hiked up this sand dune as well




Long awaited Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara and the Shellfish Company!




Yes, we ate one of these .... (spider crab)



.... and four of these (Rock Crabs!)





Flower seed capitol of the World ... Lompoc Valley



3 comments:

Tia Seuss said...

What do spider crabs actually TASTE like...because they aren't the cutest looking things in the ocean!
:) Tia Seuss

Peggy said...

Thats what we were wondering? They must have been good because the girls were smiling. :) I have a t-shirt from the in and out burger restaurant. I'm not sure why, I have never eaten at one. Was it good? Calilifornia looks very wonderful. I wish I were there with you.I Hope Christianas Birthday was wonderful!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTIANA!!!!

Unknown said...

Hi Don & family,

I finally searched for your blog and finding it have just scanned through your amazing journey - and it truly IS an AMAZING journey!

Hilary and I really enjoyed meeting all of you at your 'tied for best' lunch/early dinner spot -on Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara - as we all munched away on our fresh crab lunches. (We are not too surprised to learn you rated it highly as we have to agree it is a unique place, and, as you know, the seafood is always very fresh!).

Following along your journey reminded me again of the wisdom expressed on our old London Underground poster, 'To Travel more is to learn more'.

And whenever we take a trip Hilary and I always seem to come back home thinking how much fabulous stuff can be experienced in just a few days, weeks, month, or whatever - as opposed to just being at home doing the same and often ordinary daily things we all do.

I cannot help but feel that as time goes by you guys will forever look back in wonder at your fabulous journey - and cherish more and more the memories you will have accumulated during your very special summer adventure across America.

As I mentioned at lunch we too have long felt it so valuable to expose our children and young adults to real American life, found on a trip like yours, where the 'rubber meets the road' - along the back roads and highways - where one is able to truly 'touch and feel' the real diversity of our great country.

Don, it is clear you all have a tremendous love of travel and adventure - and it is also clear from meeting you, as well as the photo captions and other comments, that you are a closely bonded and loving family.

And you, as a husband and father, are very much appreciated for the leadership you provide your family. In my view our country needs more 'real men' like you, and mom's like your wife - who put their families first, and take their roles and responsibilities seriously.

And from a guys perspective I would suspect you also share the view that there can be no greater joy and satisfaction for a guy than knowing that he is respected, and loved, by the most important individuals in his life, his wife and his children, for providing that leadership.

We don't know where on the road you might be when you read this, but we wish you a safe trip as you continue on your special odyssey.

Gary & Hilary Tomczik
Goleta, CA.