we are now in santa barbara - wait, that is carpenteria, in a pretty little motel that is right by the freeway (unfortunately). we could have drive on down to l.a. to stay at dave's tonight but hey, this is a honeymoon! this motel is covered in blossoms falling from trellises and has a beautiful hot tub and swimming pool that we just used delightedly. other than that it is kinda - how do you say? - seedy? but we are having a blast nonetheless and the guy at the front desk was very sweet to us and also it is about as affordable as this right-next-to the ocean area is going to be. i was thinking about when mattie lived down here and we came to visit a couple times and our adventures. it was glen annie exit, right mattie?

today we went to hearst castle. it was amazing. we took a tour through the first floor of the "casa grande" and through one of the guest houses, "casa del sol" and saw the gorgeous statues and pools and terraces and views. and the indoor theater! it was truly lovely. our tour guide, a dapper gent by the name of ted merino, was quite taken by my outfit and told darin he is a very lucky man. we were pleased and felt like real true newlyweds. we have gotten lots of honks, waves, and shouts and we have tripped out on the fact that we are, in fact, newlyweds, and that weird word and the loveliness of now officially saying husband and wife - yippee!

big sur was dreamyland. we camped last night and ate wedding leftovers from our cooler and then walked over to the ocean to enjoy the sunset. it was unbelievably perfect. not cold, not too warm, not too windy, just relaxing and gorgeous and sky and sea all around us. coastal californians and the vibe over here is so nice too, just breezy chilling, artsy and loving. far cry from the east coast brand of tourism. which is indescribable.

we ate dinner tonight at a place called "the natural cafe," we shared tempeh tacos and black bean nachos and it was wonderful. we walked all around santa barbara's state street and bought "tom goes to the mayor" with our border's gift certificate. a splurge indeed. how will i ever explain this to al, the little old mel's customer who gave it to us?!!

we just learned that an "excessive heat wave" is coming...so wish us luck, at least we'll be at the beach!

oh we saw elephant seals today, all grunty and massive and serene on the coast.

i miss you all already. matt and amy, the time flew and i feel like i hardly got to see you!!! i miss you so much and i am thrilled jarom took the vest home. what a dashing little cowboy and hippie gypsy girl those two were! not to mention the farmer baby boy!

joey sorry again about the beanie.

pictures? anyone?

i love you guys all!!!!