
My Skywatch post. See more skies from around the world at the Skywatch site: http://skyley.blogspot.com/
Once I get behind the wheel of Old Paint, it seems it’s hard for me to take my foot off the gas. So I’m already thinking about what my next roadtrip will be. Several things are going to govern the choice of my next destination:
1) The economy. After the blow-out at the Hotel Bel Air, I probably should concentrate on a trip where maybe I can camp or stay in a Motel 6. That might preclude Andy. Too much business travel has left him unequipped for KOA.
2) Time. We’re coming up on planting time and, before you know it, I’ll be back at harvest time. Long-time readers will remember what happened then. Because we’d planted five different varietals that all had their own ripening schedules, I ended up living at the ranch with two terriers for more than six weeks. Andy was starting to sound like one of those suspicious husbands who vaguely puts off friends with the old, “Uh, she’s on a long trip.” Some people were ready to examine his Range Rover for bloodstains.
3) Commitment to California. After more than twenty years of living in this state, I’m embarrassed at the number of areas I HAVEN’T seen. The Year 2009 will be The Year of Traveling Californian.
So then, using the above criteria, my top choices for roadtrips are:
1) The Santa Barbara wine country. Somehow, I never seem to get to this part of the coast. I’ve been down to Hearst Castle and up from San Diego as far as LA. But Santa Barbara always seems to get skipped. Added Bonus: FOUR Missions to check off my list. Those would be San Luis Obispo, Santa Inez, La Purísima Concepción and Santa Barbara. I’m not sure how practical it would be to drag Andy to more than one Mission. He doesn’t share this obsession to see all of them. We’ll see. I may have to leave him at a winery or two while I get in touch with my inner Padre.
2) Lassen Volcano Park. Did you know we had loads of volcanos here and not just of the extinct variety? I’ve heard of it, but, as I’m embarrassed to say, I’ve never been further north in California than Mendocino, so I haven’t seen them with my own eyes. Apparently even further north, we have lava beds.
3) Yosemite. I’ve been there, once twenty years ago for a weekend and I did a quick drive-through with my niece as we ended our cross-country roadtrip. Time to give this place the time and attention it deserves.
4) Channel Islands. Did you know we have a herd of wild buffalo? Apparently a movie company once let loose a few for a movie shoot, then left them to their own devices. I want to see them. Apparently, the sea life is fascinating around there. Andy, as a diver, will love it. Me, I’ll stick above the waves with the buffalo.
5) Joshua Tree National Park. Somehow I always missed this, even when I went down to Palm Springs. Plus there’s the morbid desire to see where Gram Parsons’ manager performed that botched cremation on the the singer.
Anyone else got any good suggestions? Because my window of opportunity is closing fast. Not too many months from now and my only roadtrip option will be heading up from the barn to the wine processing area with two yapping terriers.
NOTE: The photo at the top of the post is actually of the road leading into Texas’s Palo Duro Canyon taken during a cross-country roadtrip two years ago. It’s my entry to Skywatch. See more fabulous pictures of the sky posted by participants around the world at the site: http://skyley.blogspot.com/
> Mono Lake, Mammoth, then Bishop to Death Valley and down thru Joshua Tree. Incredible scenery changes
Thanks Ollie. I did that trip (minus Joshua Tree) a few years ago with my niece. Death Valley in mid-summer! When I got out to take pix, the bottoms of my sneakers melted.
George and Alan suggest a trip to visit the wild burros on the California side of the area around Pahrump, Nevada. This is their homeland and they’d like to see if they recognize any of their relatives in the pictures you would take.
Seriously, my knowledge of California geography is woefully inadequate – anyplace you go is fine with us – we’ll be right there reading along.
Here’s your plan to knock of 2 items on your list. Santa Barbara (#1) and the Channel Islands (*4). That’s easy. Plus, you’ll be able to watch the whale migrate (I think.).
Wine, whales, missions, wildflowers…perfect. I can’t wait to read that travelblog.
*off…but you knew that.
*#4
*whales
Good Lord, my fingers aren’t connected to my brain this morning!
Incredible scenery, always enjoy visiting your blog.
Have a great weekend!
Guy
Regina In Pictures
Awesome shot! That looks like an awesome place to explore!
You have a lot of beautiful options–most of which I’d got to in a heartbeat if I had the chance.
Your photo is wonderful!
I arrived here through the SkyWatch Friday site. Please be so kind to take a moment and check out the guidelines there. We ask that when you link from the site, you identify your SkyWatch post so visitors can quickly find it. There are badges available on the site, or you can use clear test if you prefer. We also ask that you link back to the site so your visits can be directed to other skies around the world if they choose.
Thank you so much for this wonderful post!
Truth in blogging: I should have identified the picture at the top as the road entering North Texas’ Palo Duro Canyon. It was taken during a cross-country roadtrip I took a few years ago. Doesn’t have anything to do with California, but I chose it because of the road.
Loved the picture – the road looks like there are great possibilities just around the bend.
We enjoy the Inverness National Seashore area N of San Fran. We live in CO but take a road trip to CA to bike every spring. In May. we’re going to Sacramento, Monterrey, Sausalito, and San Fran.
I really like your photo. I love to travel and take off on roads like this. I am in the Yosemite area and I heard there are lovely wildflowers blooming on the canyon walls on Hwy 140 right now. We have a lot of wild flowers in the foothills but the picture I saw was a mass of poppies and it was amazing! I am taking a trip up there myself in the next week or so.
Happy Friday!
Caprice
Some nice choices of places to visit. My daughter lives in Monterey County. I live on the east coast, but wish I didn’t.
Love your photo. Love photos of roads anyway. they let one start imagining where they go and what will happen along the way.
i also posted this on your bucket list blog but i re-post here for the road trip suggestion (i want to go up there now!)
arrived at your site thru the gram parsons mention/google alerts…….
and i’ve been here and the skywatch site now for five minutes/two hours ago!
i have my yamaha acoustic from 7th grade all tuned up but don’t play it…..i have books about my nikon d-50 but i end up using the auto focus option instead of studying and writing down the settings. taking good pictures in the dark without a flash is something i’ve yet to manage as well.
one road trip that needs to be on your bucket list in perfect weather/if you haven’t already done so (oh there are so many)
has to be the old pacific coast highway up in big sur. park and listen to the huge trees moan in the wind.
it’s an AMAZING side trip.
i have two musicians left on my bucket list, leonard cohen (who i’ll see in los angeles in april ) and tom waits.
i spend a lot of time at Largo in Los Angeles, the best music venue in town.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34463075@N00/1470237520/
i felt like i’d fallen into a parallel universe here, as my name’s also lisa…i’d like to buy some of your wine when it’s available, you can email me about it if you’d like.
lisa