Channel Islands, California

JWise Photo of the Day, Travels

Los Angeles Mountains in California

Attention: This post had a few extra images added to it in 2022 to offer a better overview of what was seen on this day.

Awake at daybreak to finish our drive to Santa Barbara, the weather is just perfect.

In the north of Ventura county just south of Santa Barbara on a beautiful Saturday morning we look west over the Pacific to the Channel Islands

We took a few minutes to stop here in the North of Ventura County.

In the north of Ventura county just south of Santa Barbara on a beautiful Saturday morning we look west over the Pacific to the Channel Islands

We are just south of Santa Barbara, using this crystal clear view to stare out over the blue waters to the Channel Islands.

Caroline Wise on Southern California Beach

By 11:30 a.m., my uncle was out of surgery and on his way to recovery, but too groggy and connected to a ton of external plumbing for us to meet with him. We will check in first thing tomorrow morning. Being here allows my Aunt Ann (Tata) to relax, knowing that she doesn’t have to cope with things alone and we’ll be on hand to take care of things she might need, such as driving her places because, like Caroline, Tata doesn’t like driving.

The California Inn

JWise Photo of the Day, Travels

Nearly morning at the California Inn when we check in for a few hours of sleep on our way to Santa Barbara, California

It is almost 3:00 in the morning when we arrive in Ontario, California, for a few hours of sleep at the California Inn on our way to Santa Barbara. We’ve stayed here more than a couple of dozen times during other visits and, over the years, have seen the price go from $45 a night to the current $65. Right next to the 10 freeway, this is a convenient stop for us after 340 miles (550km) of driving from Phoenix, Arizona. Our late departure is due to a family emergency; my Great Uncle Woody is having triple bypass heart surgery in four hours.

Orange

JWise Photo of the Day

December rolls around in Arizona and here come the fresh oranges

Ah, wintertime…cold wind, snow, rain, freezing……NO WAY – this is Phoenix, Arizona, and we’ve got oranges ready to pick. For the next two to three months, we have a near-endless supply of juice oranges that we will stock up on for breakfast. The lemons and grapefruits are also starting to drop from their branches – fresh winter citrus will definitely be missed should we one day move away.

Once a Year Cat Food Shopping

JWise Photo of the Day

A giant bag of cat food for a giant cat fattening up to become worm food

So there we were, checking out cat drugs, not antibiotics, dewormer, or anything so mundane; I’m talking about the good stuff. The kind of drug that makes cats googly-eyed, meowing loudly, and generally looking as though they are having an encounter with their cat god or even multiple deities. Suddenly, a guy in a long dark coat brings our attention to the oversized packages of food in the next aisle, where we see this: 20% More – FOR FREE!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT??? This is such a profound bargain I gave serious thought to changing Caroline’s diet from a pure vegetarian meal plan to a Gourmet Flavor…….ok, yeah, I know, I’m getting carried away.