Michele & Paul: March 2005: Santa Barbara

Back in March of 2005 we went on a vacation to Santa Barbara with our friends Daxa and Ashwin (Michele's schoolmates from college). Paul managed to lose the files and then found them (though he still can't recover alot of the MPEG's he shot on the trip). Over the years we've gone on numerous trips with them and always had a great time.

We consider Santa Barbara one of the most beautiful cities we've ever seen. It's terribly expensive to live there, but Paul would be willing to live in the streets there...because it really is gorgeous out there.

We arrived in Los Angeles, drove up the coast (well as far as we could go) and stayed at the Casa Del Mar (a 21 Mediterranean style inn only 1/2 block from the beach). Here's some pictures of where we:

saw the sights in beautiful Santa Barbara
ate at Fat Burger (perhaps the greatest burger joint...in the WORLD...Magic Johnson owns a few franchises)
introduced Ashwin/Daxa to Chipotle
went to reenact "Sideways" at the Firestone Vineyard (remember that silly Bachelor show?). Note: This vineyard was in the movie.
had a great time at Universal City

Aswhin, Daxa, Paul & Michele on the West Coast

Some birds on the coast.

Casa del Mar...where we stayed a few nights....
...the room didn't have the flat-screen tv when we were there!

Ashwin & Daxa...
...is she hugging him for what he just bought her inside?

Paul and Michele on hills overlooking Santa Barbara

Daxa and Michele at an old Spanish mission in Santa Barbara

Tour guide, Ashwin, and Michele reading the map.

Paul is convinced these trees grew this way by chance and chance alone.

Fatburger...Paul's Mecca for hamburgers!!

2 things that make Paul happy: Michele & a Fatburger

The beach at Santa Barbara.

Daxa & Michele on State Street in Santa Barbara

Paul & Michele

Universal Studios...Ashwin, Daxa, Michele & Paul

Daxa & Michele overlooking what must be Los Angeles from Universal Studios...
....is that an overcast sky or just smog?

Paul & Ashwin unsuccessfully audition for the movies....
...All right Mr. De Mille, we're ready for our close-up!

Daxa always exceeds the requirements.

It's a fake backdrop...right?

Life imitates art...

...or is it art imitating life?

The vineyard, but no "bachelor" in sight...
...is that because we didn't see him...
...or because he is now married and thus there is no bachelor in sigh?.