Main street of Castroville, CA. The cute little town calls itself The Artichoke Center of the World and hosts an annual Artichoke Festival, May 20-21st. In 1947 a young woman named Norma Jean was crowned Castroville's first artichoke queen. We remember her more as the legendary Marilyn Monroe. John Steinbeck used the town as the



setting for his short story, Johnnie Bear.

The artichoke fields seem to go on forever as you pass through the area, the plants look like big ferns.

Spent a few days in Santa Cruz early this week, the weather has finally come around, temps in the high 60's (degrees). We wandered out on the pier sunday nite for dinner, had crab cakes that were THE best ever! This little cafe was not where we ate, but it was so quaint and colorful, situated at the very end of the long, long pier. The sun had just completely set.

Monday morning I was walking out on the pier and noticed this "clump" of something off to the south about 10 ft. I thought the pelicans had found a log or something to settle and rest on. As it drifted nearer to the pier I realized it was a "clump" of sea lions! They were all laying on their backs or sides, flippers above water. It was the weirdest sight.

Known for its beautiful flower fields, and the local Air Force Base (Vandenberg AFB) the city of Lompoc has some of the most beautiful murals in the world. I drove over yesterday to spend some time with my friend Carole, just girl fun, had a great time! Just before leaving town this morning, after the sun had come out I drove around town and snapped a few of these amazing paintings. *Click on each picture to enlarge and see more detail.

More of the colorful murals.

This really is one crazy winter! As I headed back home this morning Hwy 166 East was closed due to ice and accidents! So I killed a few hours in Pismo Beach (not hard to do), then was able to continue home. These cacti are about half way between the coast and Taft, near Cuyama. Poor things have thrived & flourished for many, many years, the top is the "before" picture, the two bottom pictures the "after" (after recent snows and ice). I doubt they will ever recover.

An impassioned act in the summer of 2004.











Freedom is the oxygen of the soul ~ Moshe Dayan

Stopped at the mall for some new running shoes, but Sumi had other ideas.... she instantly set her sights on these gold, sparkly flats. Such a girl!





Strawberry sundaes at the Food Court for some energy renewal before more shopping!
















Tug of war with Grandpa over a must have.....giant new teddy bear!