Our eight day adventure in California came & went--as most vacations do, much too soon. We had a GREAT time, the weather was wonderful, and we had a great experience at the 2008 NPS workshop.I thought I'd do a few brief posts & give you a quick glimpse. Suffice it to say, it was a much appreciated (if not overdue!) vacation for the two of us! Here is the first of a few installments about the week spent with the Nature Printing Society--a diverse, interesting, welcoming group. You can skip this & future parts, if 'what I did on my summer vacation' is not that interesting!)
This one is about the environment--both the center where we stayed--as well as the (well moneyed) Santa Barbara area. South of Santa Barbara, in the foothills above Montecito, is the 25 acre site of Casa de Maria. It's got a long history (in west coast terms)--first as a private home/farm for two colorful entrepreneurs, and then a site for the Catholic sisters in the 1940's.
It became a couple retreat site for the (Hollywood) stars in the late 50's/early 60's. The sisters left in the 70's, and the church/ supporters continued the retreat environment theme for both individuals & groups. The orchards are over 100 years old and going strong, along with the gardens, both offering wonderful items for the table each day. 
On arrival you're greeted by the wise, very old Eucalyptus tree with an old Monkey Puzzle tree nearby. Puget Sounders are always a bit a-gog over hot weather vegetation--although less green, everything seems so exotic: so many palm types, wonderful flowers with brilliant colors--& great smells; even the farmers market seemed exciting! 
We spent a week at Casa de Maria with a final night at Carpinteria (little further south) before winging back home. We were truly incognito for the week: no phone, TV, internet, paper, etc. Turned out to be a good week to miss! Got back to civilization just in time for the Presidential debate (there was a re-entry reality check!).
(In addition to pictures here, I got some great 'road' pix that I'll be adding to my margin picture that changes periodically.)
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