Santa Barbara

So what drew us to Santa Barbara?  Friends from Texas who have a cabin across from our in New Mexico who currently live in Santa Barbara.  We were so close we just had to see their residence, their daughter's school, and all of the other things Santa Barbara had to offer.

We had a marvelous time.  To be back near the ocean soothed my soul, and Steve and Carol are such fun and so interesting, it was non-stop talk.  Marvelous food, lovely sights, great company - what more can one ask.

One thing struck both Don and me.  The landscaping in Santa Barbara is beyond beautiful.  It seems every home was well-kept on the exterior, and since so many flowers were in bloom, the city was a blaze of color.  One of our favorite trees was the Jacaronda:

Its purple flowers were a deep, Kansas State color.  We loved them, but in reading about them, the common thought about them is that they are lovely as long as they are in a neighbor's yard.  Ha - I guess they make a mess.

The Kings have a lovely English garden in their front yard, and a mandarin tree, a lemon tree, and another fruit tree around the outside.  Jordy and Nelson loved the English Garden - the maze of boxwood hedge in the front was perfect for them to hid around.  I wish I had taken a video.  Nelson standing up on two legs to look over the edge of the boxwoods was priceless.

We must return to Santa Barbara. What a lovely, lovely area!