Harbor Seals napping

 The Carpinteria Seal Sanctuary is a protected stretch of beach where volunteers sit up on the cliff counting seals and talking to visitors. Harbor seals are different than other seals and much loved by the locals. The top bad photo is a pup who was rescued because if the mother abandons a new born, it dies. This one will end up in Sausalito if it lives for the next 48 hours. The rescue team are all volunteers too and this was all quite impressive yesterday. That pier belongs to Big Oil and they are all over this area with the occasional dreadful "spill". There was nasty oil on the seal pup, btw.

traveling with dogs

Rosa is the little one, Duca the solid guy in blue. It's been awhile since
we owned and traveled with a dog. First thing to remember: dogs
come first. These two Manchester Terriers are wonderful, both
gentle and obedient. An amazing number of restaurants in Carpinteria
and Santa Barbara accept dogs on their porches, but Marsha would
always call first to make sure. Arrived home last night ~ so nice to
be back where I belong, but it was a very fine vacation.

my day in carp

Pam 

the Carpinteria beach scene

Pam drove up from Whittier and we had a delicious breakfast at Esau's on
Linden Avenue. We had a lot of catch-up to do. Then I walked and read
my book and magazines and stared into the ocean. It was not too warm,
perfect weather actually. I had dinner outside at the Nugget on Carpinteria
Avenue and thoroughly enjoyed my day of happy nostalgia. I needed this.

fog (!) this morning

I'm out on my balcony here at the Best Western ~ already on my 2nd cup
of coffee. Above you see Marsha and her two dogs (Duca and Rosa)
and they are something. Marsha drove all day and she is down at the
Motel 6 with los animales. We had a great dinner (black cod) on the
porch of Zookers Carpinteria. Off to breakfast soon with Pam, my
friend who lives in Whittier.

heading south

By now you must know that I don't care much for small towns but an
exception must be made for Carpinteria, just south of Santa Barbara.
While the rest of the world heads north to Idaho or Montana to see
the eclipse, I will spend the weekend here. I'm driving with Marsha
and her two dogs and will write you tomorrow between walks and
lattes and friend visits.

goodbye

• Summerland
• Carpenteria
• Montecito 
• Ginger, Hoan, Pam, Boise, Joey, Lenny, David, Richard, Dana,
• Cherie, Joe, Laurie, four dogs, great walks and lovely memories

Thanksgiving and more!

My friend Bev sent this e-card. Many thanks for that. We had a fine and very
sunny day in Carp yesterday, then joined Ginger, three dogs and Mr. and Ms.
Boise for chicken tacos. Today there is some grey, but it will be a glorious
day no matter what. Husbando, friends (the women I went to Italy with)
and so, so much to be thankful for. Happy Hanukkah too. Tomorrow I'll
send you a bunch of photos on blogspot.com. Enjoy the day, gratitude abounds.

photos tell the story

Monday night dinner at AJ Spurr ($36 for two and huge!) Grover City

Tuesday lunch in Carpinteria - sitting outside (Zooker's)

Cottage in Carp

The beach at Carpinteria - can it get any prettier?

I always love park benches with sentiment