Moved back to East Coast (After 6 glorious years in SB, CA)

Nice to be back in Western NY for the Fall colors.  Great to spend time with family and grandkids too!

Went to Rienstein Woods with a photography group:

Milky Way August 2017

Night shoot with some photography friends in Los Olivos one night on a deserted, very dark road!

Buffalo, NY Visit July 2017

Visit back home for family visit.  Good to be able to spend time with family.

My beautiful grandchildren:

at the park

Cousins/best friends:

"Rose Story Farm" in Carpenteria, CA

I had been wanting to visit this Rose mecca for a couple years. I finally made the reservation to take the tour and enjoy the outdoor luncheon, I spent three hours there Thursday and totally enjoyed the time spent.  Dani Hahn is internationally recognized as a Rose expert and grows thousands of roses on her property in Carpenteria. Hahn’s latest award — and most prestigious to date — was winning top honors as Great Rosarian of the World in 2014.

We were lucky enough to have her as our tour guide. Dani told us the story of how the yellow "Julia Child" rose originated at Rose Story Farm.  She is a very generous person. She offered to give me the photo of her and Julia Child with her namesake rose. I didn't want to take her photo but gladly took a photo of it. (see below)

I found several roses I loved and plan a return trip  "Distant Drum" rose (my Fav) has a brownish pink center and lavender pink outer petals.

Danny Hahn with her rescued dog, a Blue tick Heeler

My fav. rose: "Distant Drums"

Dani with Julia Child, showing her yellow rose to be named after her. (vintage photo copied)

Gift Shop and grounds

Our dessert at the luncheon, a rose cake. Delicious!  Very moist.

Fun Saturday at Coldspring Tavern

I love a day off.  We spent a lovely afternoon at Coldspring Tavern Saturday. It's a rural spot, off Hwy 154 on the way to Solvang.  Charming, rustic log cabin with a history of being a Stagecoach stop in the mid 1800's.  It's very casual,  outdoor musicians play all afternoon and early evening. We enjoyed the duo "Oddly Straight", singing 'singer/songwriter' type ballads. (video of their rendition of "Blackbird" and "Wonderful Tonight" on my FB page and the musician's FB page now).

Eric Tambini and Jez Blacker:

Awsome Yosemite! May 2017

I had been wanting to see Yosemite ever since I arrived in CA, so this was a very special trip for me.
It was about 7hr. drive from Santa Barbara, northeasterly. It was much more than I had expected. Yosemite falls 1,000 ft high! Beautiful granite cliffs for miles, and many waterfalls. The shear height and majesty was awe inspiring.  Spring was a good time to see it..the spring snow melt caused waterfalls to be very full and the spring green of the trees and vegetation lovely.

This is the 1st time Half Dome(background) came into view for Scott and I:

We sat here in our lawn chairs next to the Merced River for quite awhile by ourselves.  A waterfall in the mountains across the river. So peaceful! A peak moment in the mountains. Later we took a hike along side the river.

Devereaux Slough, Goleta, CA

Always a beautiful spot. Lots of birds here near the water. Scott and I sipped coffee and listened to blues at this lovely spot yesterday afternoon.

Linn's Bakery and restaurant in Cambria CA, April 2017

We stopped at Linn's for something sweet.  I resisted. It was very tempting..had a bite of Scott's

lemon meringue pie. Perfectly sweet and sour!

Mmmm chocolate eclairs!

Cambria Beach, April 2017

The beach at Cambria different from SB.  Loved the ocean waves breaking against the rocks:

Scott enjoying the scenery:

The Sand is beautiful polished pebbles. Coarse underfoot.

Boardwalk above the beach, next to the road:

Very Tame little ground squirrel at the beach: