Santa Barbara!!!

          I am home!  Actually, I have been home for well over a week now, but every time I sit down with the intention of posting I get so bogged down with sorting through pictures I fail to get anything up.  Not today!  I have narrowed it down to forty-three pictures – I know, I know, forty-three is hardly narrowing – but we packed a lot into those few days.  Enjoy!  :D

The Beach!

Molly, the cute little dog belonging to the family Stephanie and I stayed with.

While waiting for Taylor to finish his final class, Eric, Stephanie, and I explored an old cemetery.

This one appeared to be made of sandstone.  It is amazing how long it has lasted.

There were some impressive mausoleums, too.

Coffee!!!

My Shakerato.  Small cup, big punch.  (And really yummy!)

The Courthouse.

There was a lot of this going on.  ;)

The architecture was so beautiful.

The clockwork.  We were there to hear it strike!  At 1 o'clock.  :(

The Santa Barbara Mission!  (My favorite part of the trip!)

I caught a glimpse of two monks across the courtyard.  One lingered long enough for this special picture.

The woman who inspired Scott O'Dell's prize winning novel, Island of the Blue Dolphins.

The Cathedral's entrance.

Simply breathtaking.

At the Marina Museum.  A working replica model of the very first seaplane.

The Nordkap.  Built by Dwight Brooks in 1981, this 8.5 Ft 285 Ib working model can catch live fish!  If it senses the fish is too large, the line and net automatically detach to prevent the fish from capsizing the boat.

Amazing building art!

Some of them were even interactive!  :D

I love walking along the wharf.

 

Graduation day!

The Siblings,

The Friends,

and --most importantly-- the Girlfriend. <3

7 Days!

Summer Recap: Backpacking

          Hello again!  I really did not intend to let three weeks slip away without at least some sort of update, but with August already well established I need to get typing or I will have some serious summer catching up to do.
          July 22-26 the college/career group from my church headed into the High Sierras for five days away from civilization and technology.  We encountered some crazy weather, (thunderstorms, heavy rain, and hail!) but we did see some of the most beautiful lakes and mountains within our state.  There is something so awe inspiring about great mountains towering over you.  Setting up camp and kicking off my hiking boots was my favorite part of each day.  My feet have always been one of my greatest weaknesses, but a quick dip into the snow-fed lakes was usually enough to numb away their aches and pains.  By day five I was ready to come home.  I enjoyed slipping away from civilization for a short while, but I missed my family terribly; and I was definitely ready for some modern conveniences, specifically hot running water!  It is great to be home again, but my camera sure enjoyed taking in the majestic scenery.

North Carolina Trip, Day 4 - The Biltmore Estate.

The chateau is absolutely stunning!!!

I especially love the two stone lions guarding the entrance.

The detail is extraordinary.

The front of the chateau overlooks this beautiful fountain.

The Italian Garden.

It had some of the most gorgeous water lilies I have ever seen. 

Silly girls!

The Walled Garden, the rose section.

Still in the Walled Garden heading toward the very large greenhouse.

I would like one of these please!

The greenhouse contains various sections, each at a different temperature to accommodate a plethora of species.

The boat house off the man-made bass pond.

Another picture perfect moment.