While Colton golfs I am at a coffee shop in Paso Robles working on various "life admin" and, as a neurotic lister...started thinking...so here is my Top 8 of our vacation so far.
CK Road Trip Vacation 2011 Top 8
8. NERTS! Felt fairly confident with my card playing skills until I played a 3 person game with Colton and his mother. They both moved so fast that it almost gave me a panic attack and totally threw my game off for pretty much the remainder of the trip! Awesome.
7. Cirque de Rite Aid: Animal Circus Cookie Ice Cream- Those disgustingly delicious pink and white sprinkled monstrosoties crushed up in ice cream and then scooped with the traditional "Thrifty" ice cream scoop cylinder?? I only had this on the very first day we were in Santa Barbara, and it was so perfect, I actually prefer to let it stay unblemished in my memory.
6. Isla Vista Epicurean Delights: I am referring, of course, to Javan's (Philly Burger, Chicken Club, Fries, Ranch), Woodstocks (Wildbread, Pepperoni Pizza, ranch, Cinnoman Bread), Freebirds (loaded steak nachos, too many ingredients), Silvergreen's (yeah we ate at another location, same difference). Nothing makes you feel like a grown up than ordering exactly as much as you want at a place that you used to consider expensive before you had a full time job.
5. Red Dirt Road: Family friend generously gave us a Jeep ride all through his property in Pozo, CA yesterday (Google it). It is one of those places that makes you understand where the term "God's country" comes from. My mental Polaroid was on overdrive as we hauled through the foothills in 85 degree weather. I know he won't read this, but we can't thank Joey enough for that experience.
4. UCSB Bookstore: Decided that it was appropriate to outfit our entire house in UCSB gear. As in, everything they put UCSB on, we now own. I guess everyone also knows what they are getting for Christmas...
3. Pitcher This: Sam's To Go- it would be virtually impossible for you to go to UCSB, even for a long weekend, and not go to Sam's. Our time in IV was not just devoted to eating our way through the cess pool. We sat in the sun, shared 2 pitchers of ice cold beer, chatted with the owner, and just took it all in- how cheesy is that?
2. Modern Family: Have I mentioned how much I love my family? Have I? Well, they are so amazing. My in laws are the most welcoming and fun people to be around, even when they are kicking my butt in cards! They are a hysterical bunch, and I actually think that, as a whole we are more interesting, funny, and potentially even more neurotic than the Dunphy's. We all definitely have our own quirks unique just to that person. My niece, Parker, is a genius, stunning, and is perfect. You can't convince me otherwise, and if you try I know you are lying, and lying about my family is offensive to me, so I will fight you.
1. Memory Lane Littered: Hand in hand with Colton, we walked the entire length of Del Playa, up to 6839 Sabado, and then back down the length of DP. It should be noted that we walked in the traditional way, in the very middle of the street with no regard for cars- I miss that. As we walked, each apartment building brought back memories, some more clear than others, and we saw familiar faces. Those rundown apartments with their astronomical rent, squashed living spaces, and cemetery after cemetery of furniture long forgotten, represent a huge part of our history- what brought us together, what shaped our early years as individuals and as a couple. We took lots of pictures of this too, knowing that we may never come back to Isla Vista and have time to walk the length of Del Playa, and I am so glad we did. If we can't do the DP walk, I hope we can at least find somewhere to walk in the middle of the road.
Until next time, I will be trying to figure out what bag I put my last clean shirt in.
