Our next stop was in Ojai, with our campsite outside of town at the Ventura Ranch KOA in the hills.   The drive into and out of downtown Ojai was beautiful, weaving along curves as we ascended/descended, going past horse and cattle ranches, olive groves, citrus groves, schools, a retreat center, and St. Thomas Aquinas College.  Our KOA and the adjacent park were the last stops on this road, however, thanks to a landslide between them and the town of Santa Paula. 

It’s funny how complete strangers can quickly connect sometimes, and a downtown shopowner and I found we had a lot in common after exchanging just a few sentences.   Toward the end of our conversation, she drew us a map showing where we could buy fresh produce the following day.  We are now well stocked with beautiful vegetables and salad greens from a farmer who stops in Ojai every week on his way to the Santa Barbara Farmers Market.

We loved the earthy, free-spirited vibe of Ojai, while also spoiling ourselves for awhile at the Ojai Valley Inn … an incongruous pairing, but this is our first (and probably only) visit, so we want to see it all.  🙂

A fun fact:  Johnny Cash lived just “down the road” in Casitas Springs for several years, wanting to exchange L.A. for some peace and serenity.

On Wednesday (7/17), we left Ojai for San Luis Obispo, getting closer to our former home with each new day.  Driving up 101, it suddenly occurred to us that we were close to one of our favorite wineries.  A quick look at Google Maps indicated we were about 6 miles away, so we took a detour off of our planned route.  🙂

Before we left on this trip, my friend Sue asked if we’d be doing any wine tasting while we’re out here.  I said I didn’t think so, since we took just about every single visitor to wineries in Napa, Sonoma, and the Central Coast during our ten years in CA.  Sometimes you don’t want to put a wrinkle in the fond memories you have.  Anyway, stopping at Melville the other day was one exception and, it turned out, may be the only one during this trip, because wine “tasting” has now become one’s personal “wine experience” (as it is now called).  At most of the better-known wineries now, you can choose the category of wines to taste, starting at $35 (avg.) per person.  If you’d like a small accompaniment with your wine, options start around $20.  Most people do make a purchase afterward, and those are around $35 and up, depending on the winery.   You see where I’m going with this.  

Our route took us through part of Vandenberg SFB, which was kind of exciting since that’s where the rocket we saw at Lowell Observatory originated.

From the Mission, we went in search of a salon where I might possibly get my hair cut.  There were many in this cute, upscale town, but none with last-minute availability.   SO, of course, we went for a late lunch at this tucked-away restaurant overlooking a creek.

Our next stop will be in Salinas, CA, the birthplace of John Steinbeck.