Main Street Ojai is just a couple of blocks long, but it does have some interesting things to look at. (Aside from people happily sitting outside eating and drinking).
The Old school bell. I think the building is now the administration building for Ojai schools, but they put the bell out front. The base says Ojai Elementary, so maybe it still is a school. The brace that holds up the bell is inscribed: Steel alloy school bells. How cool is that??
I love how small town America doesn’t forgets it’s fallen soldiers. I think ours was the only house on the street with an American flag up this weekend. Oh and by the way, Memorial Day honors those soldiers who died in the line of duty. Veterans Day, another important commemoration honors all veterans. There is a difference.
Had to spend money, not just on food. I love owls, but they have to be very unique. I think this guy fits the bill. There were others, but this is the only one who is winking! Yup he came home with me.
First I put in flowers, Ok, but not great.
Then I put in this wacky fern, much much better.
We drove the long way home, the really long way. If it was 60 miles out, it was over 100 going back. We stayed on CA 33 and climbed up into Los Padres national forest.
Stunning views and once again, people everywhere enjoying nature.
On the ocean side of our drive, the hills were full of Scotch Broom. These bushes are quite large and yellower then yellow. On the San Joaquin side of the mountains, we saw less and less of these, but there were other plants to compensate.
You can see how much drier it is on this side. We ended up in an area called Longwood Valley, there were some ranches and the ‘big’ towns are Frazier Park and Gorman. People traveling the 5 will recognize those names from the beginning of the section called the grapevine. It was all so beautiful and peaceful, a wonderful day. A lovely weekend.
Leah