Hej from Solvang

Sunday, May 22nd

Hello from Solvang.  The Boyfriend and I are here once again for a much needed holiday, albeit biking not wine tasting in the lovely Santa Ynez Valley, but, I forgive him.

Ah, Solvang, a quaint town if ever there was one.  Old world charm at its touristy best.  Years ago, I bought the creepy fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm.  Sigh, our favorite coffee place, The Bulldog Cafe, is no longer.  Still, I've lost track of the times I've visited Solvang but each time brings something new for me to appreciate.  Take the time to look at the Elverhoj Museum website. 

This time, I was able to do some shopping.  I bought souvenirs for co-workers from Rasmussen, in business since 1946.  I bought a Pendleton cotton wool blanket from the Pacific Northwest Trading company (not exactly Danish but hey, I helped the economy....).  I did eat a few danish pastries. 

One afternoon, I strolled along the boulevard and met two gentlemen who declared that my shapely legs were much too white to be from California.  Hmm. Okay. Sorry that I use suntan lotion because I don't want to get skin cancer....  I discovered an English pub that we would eat at later in the week and I also visited the farmer's market.  This market's produce is exquisite.  I should have taken photos.  I bought the best carrots I have ever tasted, for only $2.  And I also bought several lavender products from a swell looking farmer from Lucky Dog Lavender.  I did not have time, yet again, to visit Ostrichland, one of the treats of Solvang, a site we bike past on many a ride. 

Meanwhile, after settling into our hotel, we set off to do the Amgen Tour of California time trial (held several times in Solvang), a lovely 15 mile route that includes Ballard Canyon with its bison.  Here's one video to watch of the course.  Meanwhile, The Independent has a great page of rides to do while in the area.  Tonight we ate at the Solvang Brewing Company; I had a delicious ahi tuna kale salad.  Tomorrow we start our journey, and as you can tell, the weather for the week is a mix of clouds, sun, wind and temperatures in the 60s. 

Sideways in Solvang

Monday, September 22, 2008.

BF: Wake up Missy, time to do the Sideways and Amgen Tour of California time trial routes. 60 miles of glorious biking.
Me: What is this Boot camp or vacation?
BF: Got to get you in shape for the 2008 Low Key Hillclimbs!
Me: Will there be SAG support today with a Chippendale male dancer driving?
BF: Sigh. What to do with you, what to do with you?
Me: Well, there's a spa down the street ....



This route took us past rolling hills, U-Pick apple farms, wineries, exotic animals, and ranches - a sense of serenity hangs in the air. Thanks to the Santa Barbara Bike Coalition for providing us with routes. The time trial route was lovely; we did it a number of times throughout our stay. No wonder the pros train here. The weather is perfect, the locals are nice, and there is little traffic, though it would be even sweeter when the hills are green.






Lookey, buffalo!





Lookey, ostrich.





Lookey, another animal. Oh wait, that's The Boyfriend. Some view, eh!





I had 2 flats. The BF noticed my rim tape needed repairing so he applied a temporary fix with electrical tape. Now you tell me, does your man carry electrical tape? Could be a defining moment in a relationship. :)

Solvang Biking Holiday

Sunday, September 21.

Hello from Solvang (Santa Barbara County/Santa Ynez Valley, California); founded in 1911 by 3 Danish educators. The Boyfriend and I learned about the founding fathers from a placemat at a restaurant.



Our biking holiday here includes cycling the Amgen Tour of California Solvang time trial route and biking along routes that showcase scenes from the movie Sideways.