Santa Ynez Rainbow

Thunderstorm and Rainbow
Originally uploaded by Barbara Stock

Santa Ynez was graced by several rainbows this afternoon, including one that kept appearing and disappearing in my pasture. Every time I went out with my camera, the light changed and the color prism was gone. Rats! You'll have to settle for this rainbow from flckr.com. Unfortunately, it doesn't have the panoramic view, but it does have an interesting sky.

It's raining again tonight. I visited a friend's house here in Woodstock Ranch to watch a movie and I was freezing -despite a sweater, turtleneck, jeans and a scarf. I came back into my rastra house 10 minutes ago and had to take off the sweater I got so warm. It's not that I have the heat on. This house is so energy efficient it maintains a very even temperature most of the year. Green construction is a real marvel!

Bedtime. More tomorrow.

Santa Ynez Scenery

Santa Ynez has such gorgeous weather today (mid-70s), I decided to go for a ride while Fritz and Anke were at the groomers. I picked up a Cachuma Chicken sandwich at Los Olivos Grocery and headed up Figueroa Mountain. Wildflowers blanket the roadside, and the panoramic view from the top is spectacular. Although the area is now mostly protected wilderness, a few homes were built in the last century. Some are second homes, some are retirement homes. A few homes, like ours, were built to converse energy and qualify as "green construction." These are rare properties. 

Unfortunately, I'd depleted the battery in my camera by the time I got to the top so I'll share with you a shot of Grass Mountain, also in the same mountain range. You'll notice orange splotches on the mountainside which are masses of California poppies. Spectacular!

For a number of years, Lance Armstrong and his team trained on Figueroa Mountain for the Tour de France. The Santa Ynez Valley is full of biking enthusiasts. The Amgen Tour of California has held its time trials in Solvang the last two years. There are also events for amateur riders - albeit serious amateurs. The Solvang Century (100 miles) was held last month.

While these events are interesting, I'm glad that none are scheduled - or will ever be scheduled - in Woodstock Ranch. My home is on a relatively short (1.5 mile) road that deadends so we have very, very little traffic and no noise. The tranquility and seclusion is marvelous.