On a recent trip to Santa Barbara, we made a day trip to the village of Solvang. Not our first time in this Danish village, we enjoyed wandering the streets and sampling delicious, authentic Danish treats.
Solvang was founded in 1911 by Danish-American educators. They purchased 9,000 acres of land surrounding Old Mission Santa Ines for $75,000. The Mission is the 19th of the 21 Missions in California, founded in 1804.
The city is known officially as California’s Denmark.
A half bronze replica of the famous Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen Harbor is the only one authorized by the heirs of sculptor Edvard Eriksen. He sculpted the original in 1913.
With four wooden windmills within four blocks of each other, Solvang also has five authentic bakeries within five blocks of each other.
These treats include aebleskivers, fluffy, donut-hole like goodies. There are plenty of other authentic flaky, flavorful pastries are treats to savor as well.
Since Solvang is close to several AVAs for wine tasting, there are tasting rooms throughout downtown. If you stay in the area, you can take short trips to the different areas of the Santa Ynez Valley AVA, Ballard Canyon AVA, Santa Rita Hills AVA, Happy Canyon AVA, and Santa Maria Valley AVA. These make up the Santa Barbara north county wine country. Delicious Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah can be found here in over 120 vineyards.
Eating, drinking, photographing windmills, and wandering seemed to fill the day we spent in Solvang. Since we also wanted to do more wine tasting we made day trips to some of the vineyards near Solvang and Santa Barbara.
For me, traveling with a resealable bag is essential. Why? There are so many uses for one. Here are some of my favorites.
Traveling with a resealable bag in your suitcase is a good idea. Maybe you went swimming and your swimsuit is not quite dry. Instead of trying to wrap it in your laundry bag, zip it up and keep everything else in your suitcase dry. What if your socks are smelly from the last hike you took and you didn’t have time to wash them? Seal them in the bag and nothing else smells like dirty laundry.
Traveling with a resealable bag in your carry on is essential if you have lots of stuff you want to have handy during a long flight. By using this, you can place the entire bag in the seat pocket in front of you. Hand sanitizer, headphones, your phone, your book, glasses, a bag of almonds, and other things you want within reach fit nicely in here instead of stuffing them individually in the seat pocket in front of you. That way your things do not come in contact with any leftover germs in the pocket.
Traveling with a resealable bag in your purse or carry-on bag is a good place to put things you want to find easily and quickly. If you are like me, my carry-on bag is full of lots of stuff. I do not want to try and find a small item that has fallen to the bottom of the bag, especially when I am in a hurry. Need a pen to fill out a customs’ form? What about lip gloss for the dry air on the plane? How about keeping them in the resealable bag?
There are many reasons for traveling with a resealable bag. Do you have any favorites?
The Getty Center in Los Angeles is a campus of the Getty Museum and other properties included in the Getty Trust. Opened in December 1997, this $1.3 billion museum and grounds encompass a permanent art collection, sculpture gardens, and collections on loan.
This Los Angeles landmark, the Getty Center’s architecture highlights both nature and culture. Modern designs coexist with stunning gardens and dramatic views of LA. Sitting on a hilltop in the Santa Monica Mountains you get views all the way to the Pacific Ocean, the San Gabriel Mountains, and streets in downtown LA.
The permanent art collection in the Getty Center includes pre-20th century European paintings, drawings, illuminated manuscripts, sculpture, and decorative arts. There are also 19th and 20th century American, Asian, and European contemporary art. Throughout are impressive displays of modern sculpture.
World class exhibits change, featuring art from museums around the world and from Getty’s own collections.
Recently, we spent a day at the Getty Center. With four pavilions to explore, outdoor gardens to wander through, and lunch at The Restaurant it was a full day.
We boarded a computer-operated tram to ride from the street level parking to the top of the hill. Exiting the tram, the 1.2 million square feet of travertine tiles reflected the sun light in a soft glow. All 16,000 tons of this tile came from Bagni di Tivoli, Italy, just east of Rome. Impressive, tastefully accomplished, and a feeling of pure art…it was all of that.
This was the beginning of an amazing day filled with art, gardens, and beauty.
Natural light is utilized throughout the Getty Center as many exterior walls are made of glass. Not to let in too much light, a computer adjusts louvers and shades as the sun moves around. Special filters in the Pavilions prevent damage to the art.
As we made our way through all the Pavilions, there were favorite displays where we spent more time. Every gallery and every Pavilion included a feast for our eyes. When it was time for a short break, we stopped for a cup of coffee at one of the outdoor coffee stands. As we sat in the outdoor courtyard, all around us was architecture to appreciate and sculptures to enjoy. Coffee never tasted so good.
After a delicious lunch at The Restaurant, we wandered through the Central Garden, a treat in itself. It is more like an actual living work of art. Plants change with the seasons, an impressive lawn begs to be sat on, and flowers bloom in their brilliance. When we were there, late summer plants and flowers lined the walking paths and offered yet another feast for our eyes.
The Getty Center Garden is truly a place to relax and recharge. A walkway crosses a stream, the stream heads to a waterfall, and the pool at the bottom is surrounded by brilliant and fragrant plants.
More than 500 varieties of plant material are used in the landscaping at the Getty Center. We spent time wandering through it all and then made our way to the garden between the East and West Pavilions. This desert terrain garden, full of succulents, offers yet another panoramic view of LA.
Our day was complete as we headed back down the tram to the parking area. Sculptures and trees lined the railway system. Deer relaxed under the bushes. They even enjoyed the Getty Center and its beauty.
If You Go: The Getty Center is located at 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA. Admission is free to this amazing art center.
Stearns Wharf, the oldest working wood wharf in California, was built in 1872 by John Peck Stearns to facilitate the transfer of cargo and people from ships to shore.
Up until the 1870s, Santa Barbara was virtually cut off from the outside world by its natural barriers of the ocean and the mountains. In 1867, John Peck Stearns moved to Santa Barbara and opened a lumberyard at the foot of State Street. Mr. Stearns noted that the town needed a long wharf so ocean ships could tie up at low tide.
In 1872, with the financial backing of Colonel William Welles Hollister, Stearns completed the Wharf and Santa Barbara’s isolation from the outside world was over.
The Wharf has endured since 1872, making it the oldest working wooden wharf in California. It is 2,300 feet long and has an area of 3.8 acres supported by 2,307 pilings.
Now there are three restaurants and a shellfish market on the wharf. Tourist shops, a marine museum, and a Channel Islands exhibit are also here.
Some history facts include:
In 1878, A Chinese junk crashed into the Wharf during a severe storm, destroying 1,000 feet of decking. Before this damage could be repaired, the first tornado in the City’s history struck on New Year’s Eve, causing even more damage to the Wharf. In 1887, due to the heavy and regular tread of two hundred Civil War Veterans, the Wharf almost collapsed which would have thrown 3,000 people into the ocean. That same year marked the arrival of the railroad into Santa Barbara, signaling the decline of ship traffic.
In response to the arrival of the railroad, J.P. Stearns built a 1,450 foot wye onto the Wharf to carry a railroad spur so that lumber could be quickly transferred from ships onto flat cars. The wye proved too expensive to maintain and was abandoned, after being battered by more than a decade of storms. A small portion of the wye remains today, housing the Sea Center marine museum and the Nature Conservancy exhibit hall.
In 1921, the Wharf Narrowly escaped destruction by fire. The 600 room Potter Hotel burned down and a 50-mile-an hour gale sent sparks which ignited the pilings on the Wharf and palm trees along West Beach.
In 1973, the famed Harbor Restaurant was destroyed by a spectacular pre-dawn fire, closing the Wharf. The Wharf was reopened eight years later.
In February 1983, the Santa Barbara area was hit by a “100 year storm” which heavily damaged the Wharf and Harbor. Damage to the Wharf was estimated at over half a million dollars. In December 1987, another fierce storm struck and a derelict barge and fishing boat broke free from their moorings east of the Wharf and were hurled into the Wharf, along with their mooring balls. About 30 pilings were knocked out, causing the Wharf to sag near the beach and closing it for one week. https://stearnswharf.org/history/
It seems summer is still here in parts of the country. But, it is time to think about fall and holiday travel.
It is always a hectic time to travel but add in the pandemic and it will become even more hectic. So, what do you do?
Book Early
As usual, fall and holiday travel will get more expensive the longer you wait. If you are thinking of Thanksgiving travel, the time to book is now. Same goes for Christmas travel.
Rental Cars
Perhaps you have read rental cars are hard to find and reserve, especially at the last minute. It would be a good idea to rent one now for your fall and holiday travel. If you can rent one with a refundable reservation, even better.
TSA Pre-Check
If you are not already a TSA Pre-Check member, there are several reasons to register now before your fall and holiday travel. Security lines at the airport are long and will get longer this holiday travel season. With Pre-Check you do not stand in the regular security line. This means less time in line and less close contact with others.
Prepare for Extra Time in Lines
TSA has a staffing shortage. Combine that with more travelers this fall and holiday travel season and that means lines will be longer in security and at check in at the airport.
Also, prepare for longer lines at hotels. Staffing shortages seem to have affected all areas of the travel industry.
Check all Travel Requirements
If your fall and holiday travel destination is international, sign up for STEP https://step.state.gov/. Find out what each country requires, what is required to come back to the US, and what you need to do. Also, check with the airline to see what their requirements are.
Know CDC Travel Guidelines
Right now, the guidelines are to delay travel if you are not fully vaccinated. If you need to travel and are not fully vaccinated, follow the CDC’s domestic travel or international travel recommendations. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
Check out if you are traveling with children younger than 12 what is best. Also, be sure to check mask requirements.
We spent about three hours in the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. Very well done, this museum is designed for self-guided activities. There are plenty of knowledgeable volunteers and docents on hand to answer questions.
Nancy and Ronald Reagan
Here are a few highlights:
Throughout the 18 galleries are highlights of President Reagan’s life as America’s 40th president. Some of his life prior to politics we knew about. Other things and events we did not. We watched short films depicting his life as a radio personality in Iowa and ones explaining his connection to General Electric Theater.
His Oval Office is recreated as a full-sized reproduction of the Oval Office as it appeared during his presidency. Even though the basic shape and architecture have changed little since the 1930s, each president makes his own changes in interior design, new carpet, and artwork.
President Reagan’s Oval Office replica
In the Air Force One Pavilion, we walked through Air Force One, the “Flying White House” for President Reagan and six other US presidents from 1973 to 2001. We also walked through Marine One, the presidential helicopter. Included in the museum is an actual presidential Secret Service motorcade featuring President Reagan’s 1984 parade limousine.
It was interesting to see the history of Air Force One depicted in a wall mural. The mural featured aircraft from FDR’s Dixie Clipper to the current Boeing 747.
On the upper floor of the three floors is the Mezzanine Gallery, where we learned more about his face-to-face diplomacy with other world leaders. We also learned about the Secret Service and their role in protecting the president while he travels.
The section detailing the Iron Curtain and the fall of it are included in one gallery. The Iron Curtain took shape following WWII, as a profound division between communism and democracy, oppression and freedom. Pieces of the Berlin Wall can be seen here as well as events happening and leading up to the fall of the wall.
Berlin WallBerlin Wall sign
Nancy Reagan played an important part in President Reagan’s life and presidency. An entire section and galleries are devoted to her and what she did as First Lady. She was a stickler for details as she became very involved in planning all White House events, right down to the details. She was also the president’s closest confidante, staunchest defender, and took on special causes of her own. She started the campaign of “Just Say No” to combat drug use.
This is a place to visit to learn more about President Reagan and our country at the time of his presidency.
If You Go: The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is located at 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley, California. Advance tickets are required as of this post, with timed entries. Masks are required throughout.
You should know by now that wearing face masks when flying is required. Did you know the airlines’ mask mandate has been extended through January 18, 2022. It is possible it will continue to be extended beyond that date.
What does that mean for you? All travelers two years of age and older need to wear a mask whenever inside a U.S. airport or onboard an airplane, regardless of vaccination status.
Flying
Airlines can issue fines of up to $3,000 and ban non-compliant fliers for life, making it an expensive mistake to refuse to wear one.
Did you also know that wearing masks when flying can be different on different airlines? Bandanas and scarves are generally not sufficient. Some airlines have more restrictions for cloth face coverings or masks with vents. All airlines indicate that face shields may be worn in addition to a mask. Keep in mind wearing a face shield is not an alternative to wearing a mask.
If you are traveling in the US, the CDC has issues specific requirements for what constitutes an acceptable mask when flying. Most US airlines follow these guidelines and some have added even more specific requirements.
These are a few airlines I found that have specific requirements for wearing masks when flying.
Alaska Airlines allows cloth masks made with two or more layers of breathable fabric. Gaiters are allowed if they have two layers or are folded to make two layers. Masks that do not cover your nose and mouth are not accepted. Likewise, masks cannot have any slits or exhalation valves.
American Airlines lists masks or 2-layered secured cloth as acceptable face coverings. Unacceptable face coverings include balaclavas, bandanas, gaiters, scarves, ski masks, and face covers with exhaust valves or vents.
Delta Airlines specifies that the type of mask allowed onboard follows CDC guidance. Permitted masks include disposable surgical or medical masks, cloth masks with tightly woven fabric, valve-free respirator masks (N95 or KN95), fabric masks with a clear plastic window, and gaiters with two layers. Any mask with an exhaust valve is not permitted and, like other airlines, bandanas, scarves, ski masks, and balaclavas are not sufficient.
Frontier Airlines states that face coverings must fit snugly over your nose and mouth and must be secured under the chin. Open-chin triangle bandanas and face coverings containing vents are not allowed.
Hawaiian Airlines says any mask must meet CDC requirements. Cloth masks should be made with two or more layers of breathable fabric, which do not let light through.
Jet Blue requires travelers to wear masks that do not have any vents or exhalation valves. The airline also states that personal face/body tents or pods, personal air purifiers, ozone generators, and masks connected to tubing or battery-operated filters are not allowed.
Southwest basically follows the CDC guidelines to a tee. Masks must completely cover the nose and mouth and fit snugly with ties, ear loops, or elastic bands that go behind the head. Clear masks or cloth masks, medical masks and N95 respirators are allowed, as well as neck gaiters with two layers of fabric. Masks may not have any exhalation valves.
Spirit states that masks must have at least two layers of fabric such as disposable non-medical face masks, or multi-layered cloth. Open-chin triangle bandanas and face coverings containing valves or mesh material are not appropriate.
United Airlines says travelers are required to wear a mask with no vents and bandanas are not permitted. Masks must be worn at customer service counters, airport lounges, gates, baggage claim, and on board during the entire flight.
Air France requires flyers to wear a surgical mask or an FFP1, FFP2, or FFP3 type mask without an exhaust valve. Cloth masks are not authorized.
Finnair says you must have a surgical mask or a valveless FFP2, FFP3, or another valveless mask following the equivalent standards, such as an N95. Masks made of fabric are not accepted. If you’re just flying within Europe, kids under 7 years old don’t need a mask, but all passengers above 2 years old must wear a mask when flying to/from the USA.
Lufthansa says you must wear either a surgical mask, FFP2, or KN95/N95 mask. Cloth masks are no longer permitted for flights to and from Germany.
Swiss requires these face masks, FFP2, KN95, or N95 standard, or surgical masks. When flying within Europe, children under 12 years of age do not need to wear a mask, but all passengers over the age of 2 must wear a mask when flying to/from the USA.
Are there any exceptions to wearing face masks when traveling?
The CDC lists a narrow subset of individuals who may be exempt from wearing a mask for medical reasons. This includes people with certain disabilities or requirements that would not allow them to wear a mask safely. Individuals who want to request an exemption must contact the airline for the procedures to be followed. Some airlines require you to fill out forms and send a physician’s signature up to a week in advance.
During a recent trip to the Santa Barbara area, we stopped to visit one of California’s 21 missions, Old Mission Santa Barbara. Stretching from San Diego to Sonoma, these missions are reminders of California’s and the nation’s past. Over a period of 54 years these were built, along with forts or presidios. Some of these evolved into major cities in California.
According to this mission, it is a community of many parts, but one spirit. The Mission has served as a gathering place and spiritual home for many since its establishment in 1786.
Santa Barbara Mission
Today the Mission operations include a museum, gift shop, cemetery and mausoleum, and several historic gardens, as well as being the home to a community of Franciscan Friars on about 15 acres. This is also home base for Saint Barbara Parish, which operates under the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the Santa Bárbara Mission Archive-Library, a separate Franciscan-sponsored non-profit, and a Novitiate which provides the first year of education for Friars in training from across the United States.
Santa Barbara Mission inside
We spent about two hours wandering through the multiple gardens and touring around the mission. Our self-guided tour allowed us access to the museum where historical artwork, artifacts, and information on living here many years ago gave us insight into the history of this area.
Santa Barbara Mission
The Mission church, mausoleum, and cemetery offered a calming effect as we reflected on life centered around a Mission. The grounds encompass 15 acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Peaceful is the best way to describe the visit.
Santa Barbara Mission cemetery
Definitely worth time to visit when you are in the Santa Barbara area.
If You Go: The Old Santa Barbara Mission is located at 2201 Laguna Street Santa Barbara, CA 93105.
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