Ojai’s a pretty sweet place, isn’t it?
Last week, Deanna and I got to spend a few days at our friend Cheri’s ranch… probably the closest thing we’ll be able to get to a babymoon before the twins get here, and it was absolutely refreshing. It was great getting to catch up on years with a friend, to have Rhys run around gardens and chicken coops, and to take a long run by the Carpinteria Bluffs. Also got to hop into Downtown Ojai for a little bit. SO many great restaurants around, I wish I was there for more meals. Still loved the artist’s vibe and the fun outdoor bookstore.
Even though I live on the coast, I’m a mountain person at heart. (Though some of the best places give you a bit of both, don’t they?) The Santa Ynez mountains are a happy sight. They were the view from my dorm room freshman year. They’re in the background of a bunch of our wedding photos, and I’m still happy to swing by them in between major life changes.
It’s been a while since I lived on the Central Coast, and visiting sometimes feels like visiting a previous version of myself. But if that person could see where the road ahead leads, I’d say he’s got good reason to be excited.
