Anytime I hear "Santa Barbara", it makes me think of The Graduate, when Ben is searching for Elaine at her college and he shows up at her fionce's frat house and asks about the location for the wedding.
"Where's the makeout king getting married?"
"Santa Barbara!"
That's where we headed for our final stop for a few days... to Mere's parents house. The drive down along the coast was really beautiful and we couldn't get over how blue the water was.
It was a long drive, though... like a really slow rollercoaster... up and down and around... Don't plan on averaging any more than about 35 or 40 down the coast when all is said and done. Plus, you'll want to stop at every scenic overlook, too... and you probably should!
We finally made it to her parents house on Sunday afternoon, just in time for dinner. Her dad is really amazing with their outside grill, but even more amazing as project manager for the construction of their house. He planned and built their house from an empty patch of land at the top of the hill, and while they're still doing little things like putting in doors and furnishing, its really amazing.
If I had this pool, I'd be in it everyday... drifting.. here in the pool... Ben Braddock style.
Maybe one day we can get Mere's dad to do a video tour Bob Vila style, because knowing her dad, there's a story behind those lights, the fences, the arch, and every stone... the attention to detail was really impressive.
Mere at home... finally!
Getting to stay in one place for a few days, as the driver, was a welcome rest. Her parents were gracious hosts and joined us for a Dodgers - Phillies game, too.
In the end, the EuroPod (Subaru Tribeca), made it 5594.3 miles, and did 20.9 MPG over that span. The... ah-hem... two speeding tickets have been paid for (my mom, who is now reading this blog, and, to her credit, sent me a Plugoo message the other day... didn't know about the second one...) and will not show up on my insurance b/c such is the out of state policy for the New York Department of Motor Vehicles. It was a little short on pickup, but then again, I'm used to driving a car with 300HP. It was a very comfortable drive, though, and picking up a portable XM radio was a clutch decision.
Oh, and for those of you that took bets in the pool... there were no arguments. None. 5594.3 smooth miles.
So thanks to everyone who housed us, fed us, met up with us for lunch, brunch, etc... We had an absolute blast and will be sure to visit you all soon again... and fly there... and stay longer.