33 and life is getting better every year. My mom gave me money and I picked out my own cake (above). I have my shit more together every year. Actually, I just called to set up therapy today because I need to keep making progress. The first week was celebratory, but the second week has presented some challenges. Challenges aren’t bad, aside from the lack of sleep, but fortunately, it’s still summer so I can make it work. More on this later I’m sure.
Wednesday
The day before my birthday, I drove up to San Luis Obispo, with a stop in Santa Barbara and Solvang.
In Santa Barbara, I decided to skip the walk to relax then got lunch at Mesa Verde. It’s a vegetarian spot, but their mushroom burger on homemade “bread” and zatar fries! The leftovers the next day were just as good!
I passed through Solvang on the way to Ostrichland. Ostrichland was disappointing and emus and ostriches are kind of scary. I bought myself a bouquet of wildflowers from the Solvang farmer’s market.
We stayed at an AirBnb in Atascadero complete with a hot tub! We went into downtown SLO and got drinks, first at The Carrisa. We were able to distance ourselves on their back patio next to the creek. We also got a drink at Sidecar Cocktail Co. with the most crafty of craft cocktails.
On my birthday, I woke up early to hike up to Bishop Peak. It was foggy so I had no one idea what the peak looked like until I got to the top. I was glad though because it could’ve been a hot one with little shade on the trail and I was on top of the clouds fog!
I returned to the AirBnb and showered before Jordan and I headed to the wineries. We made reservations at Chamisal Vineyards. There was one other couple there (but Jordan and I aren’t a “couple” just a couple of people) and they required that we get a wine tasting, ready for us when we arrived. I loved the organization!
Our second reservation was at Biddle Ranch Vineyard. There were more people here, but they did have more space. We could get a glass or a bottle, so we went with a bottle of rose and had a virtual happy hour with my college friends.
For dinner, my friend suggested her friend’s Airstream trailer, District Deli, in Paso Robles. It was the best Cuban sandwich we’ve ever had and the tots were perfectly crispy. Jordan got them loaded and I got ranch and buffalo sauce!
To end the night, I got us tickets to a solar light art installation, Sensorio. I walked around for over an hour in wedges in the dark.
Jordan headed home and I spent the morning on a trail in Atascadero (Three Bridges Oak Preserve) and then stopped at my friend’s friend’s sheep milk ice cream shop, Negranti Creamery, on my way to Carmel.
Next up will be the remainder of my trip to Carmel/Monterey, Santa Cruz, the redwoods, and Half Moon Bay!
Julie in the World 