solvang with a bang

if it were up to our i-phone guided directions we would have ended up at a very different cold spring tavern...somewhere in malibu rather than santa barbara, but thanks to a timing perfect text from lea, we made it to the right tavern just a little late [an hour behind schedule].

after a delightful breakfast we headed to solvang to start our weekend wine tasting in celebration of lea's birthday.  the wineries were plenty, and the group was prepared to take in as many of the sites & tastes as we could fit into our day.
we enjoyed the beauty at sunstone, as well as some delightful organic wines.

we loved kalyra for it's easy going "australian" inspired atmosphere paired with delicous wines.
foxen topped gary's list as the "hot spot", although calle & i were more impressed by the temporary rub on anchor tattoos...

the rest of the wineries that day are a blur...
teni finally made up with the big guy at saarloos & sons, against her better judgement and our overall resentment towards his unfriendly attitude...
and calle disliked this man so much that he preferred to sit outside eating chocolate cupcakes rather than stand at the bar to enjoy the wine...
at blackjack calle noticed a sign that offered espresso & a puppy to all unattended children...and we all had a good laugh.

trevor & calle, although on opposing bocce teams, demonstrated their individual "spider pig" toss.

on sunday we had a picnic at rusack & enjoyed every minute of it!

happy birthday, lea!

and to our very dear mama lisa & papa toots, along with anna & christian - we look forward to spending a weekend with you in santa barbara during your next visit here; to share a very south african style celebration in a town just a few hours from our home.

lots of love,

nicole & calle