El Capitan State Beach


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Before we caught our flight back to Colorado, Heather and I took a walk on the El Capitan State Beach just north of Santa Barbara.

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Neat geology.

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Lots of birds here.


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A seal hanging out on a rock.


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Mussels and barnacles on a rock.


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The only problem with the beaches around Santa Barbara is all of the tar.  Natural seaps under the ocean leak tar and oil that ends up washed up on the beach.  The stuff really sticks to your feet.


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More interesting geology!

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Big dried globs of tar up on the rocks.

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Shellfish hanging out in a rock that they filled with holes.

Hollister Ranch


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An Amtrak Coast Starlight train heading south toward Santa Barbara.  The location of Zach and Vera’s wedding was on Hollister Ranch which is an absolutely gorgeous piece of property that is rimmed by old Southern Pacific tracks that once carried the Daylight 4449 steam engine.


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Looking down on the site of Zach and Vera’s wedding.

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Looking inland.

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Heather on the beach.

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A strange creature washed up in the surf.



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IMG_7686What a great place for a wedding!

Zach’s Bachelor Sojourn


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On the morning of Zach’s bachelor sojourn, he was very surprised when Carl, his little brother, pulled out a tricorn hat and provided it for Zach to wear for the duration of festivities.

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The party drove down to a little Santa Barbara County beach park named Jalama.  I would never have guessed a public beach would be wedged between Vandenberg Air Force Base and Hollister Ranch.

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Evidently Jucy has come to the USA.  The last time I saw one of these was in New Zealand.

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Hiking into the bush!

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Along the headlands.

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The mighty Pacific Ocean.

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Carl brings out a secret stash of rum.

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Zach is querying if we really are to drink rum before noon.  Carl confirms that this will occur.

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A deep gully that we encountered.


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Descending into the gully.

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The party returns to the beach.

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Peer pressure is about to get the better of Zach.

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Looking north toward Vandenberg.


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Some of the party decided to try to go for a swim.  The ocean was predictably cold.


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Heading back down the beach.

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Along the way someone picked up a very shoddy ukulele.  We reconvened in Solvang for a beer after lunch.


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Everything is vaguely Danish-themed in Solvang.

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We then went over to Buellton to relax at the Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company.


IMG_7674The night ended at the Firestone Walker tap house.  Fun was had by all.  Huzzah!