Ojai, CA

I left the Pacific California Highway quite early this morning as traffic was really ramping up. Its Monday rush hour traffic, oh my. I spent this really special night luckily undisturbed. Even though traffic was a bit loud, the ocean's crashing waves were even louder. 
I drove just a little bit up the road and found a large open parking area right across from the entry of Pepperdine University, in Malibu. It was as good a place as any to prepare breakfast and make coffee. From there I made a quick pitstop to Target. I've been meaning to buy a raincoat. I have not owned a raincoat since 2006, when I moved to Arizona, where it rarely rains. So I haven't found a reason to own one. However, there's been plenty of downpours over the last few days, and I managed to find one that was a windbreaker as well as rain resistant, in my favorite teal color. Score! I anticipate needing it in Oregon, and Washington.
I wore it to Marina Beach, a dog friendly beach, outside of Ventura, California. I drove past the cutest, and most adorable homes. It was so windy here, I could barely make the trail to a wonderful sculpture and back. It was 64°. From there I went on to Ojai, California a mountain town inland, about 30 minutes from Ventura. I had a lovely scroll through town and visited several shops, including an artist co-op, and some galleries. It was nice to get a taste of the local artists, here in town. I continued on another 15 minute drive into the Los Padres National Forest. I am staying at Weller Creek, actually right on the edge of the creek, for a night in a very peaceful and serenely beautiful forest. I hear birds, and falling water. And I have the joy of some visiting black flies. It is May, and in a New York,  black flies visit us in May. And in May, black flies also visit us in Arizona, for about a week to 2 weeks. I'm in California and now. I'm also dealing with black flies. Seriously, these pesky bugs seem to be everywhere. I guess I will just have to put up with them, or get some bug spray.














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