“Time may change me
“But I can’t trace time” — David Bowie
Our first morning walk at the beach. There was something very different about it. See that rig in the ocean? Next we saw this sign:
There are oil rigs off the coast of Santa Barbara that are active — but you can barely see them in the distance. I believe they are at least five miles offshore.
On the beach below the house we rent, there are signs like the one above that weren’t around last summer. There are also signs explaining the work that’s going on. They are recapping 100-year-old oil wells a few dozen yards offshore. That’s what the barge with the equipment is for (see top photo.) They are capped but leak when storms hit. We watched two tug boats stop at the barge. Then we noticed tar clumps all over the sand.
The beaches here always have spots of oil and tar, but this year it’s much worse. We keep paper towels and “Goo Gone” next to the hose at the backdoor to clean our feet after our beach excursions.
The other change was our favorite spot for breakfast burritos in Carpinteria — which was inside a liquor store — is gone. We drove for burritos and were stunned. Someone bought the entire block on Linden Ave and demolished the buildings. I wonder what will be built?
On our morning walk on the tar blotched beach, I was relieved to see the driftwood sculpture condos were still in tact. I wrote about them on an earlier beach trip HERE.
There were a few additions this year that I enjoyed:
Words of wisdom: Be More Like My Dog!
Prince Harry lives to the left. That’s a fact. Montecito is to the left of this beach.
Kevin Costner’s $145 million home where his divorced wife refused to leave is to the right around the point.
Lots of changes going on around us. We can’t stop change. Another change: our son and his long-term girlfriend were getting married Thursday. We were flying from Santa Barbara to Oakland for the nuptials. Our son called today and has COVID. No wedding. Change of plans.
What is changing in your life?
Oh no ! Sorry !
Thank you!
Oh my goodness. Your sweet son and Covid? So many twists and turns in motion for all of you.
While I appreciate the chuckle of the signs pointing to Prince Harry’s place and Kevin Costner’s — too funny – it’s sad to see beloved places like your breakfast burrito spot POOFED. And the tar on the beach? Does it smell like tar?
I love that you’re rolling with all of this…accompanied by David Bowie (a perfect choice, I think) it’s still a lot. Sending hugs to all. 💕
I’m very relaxed about all the changes. There’s nothing I can do to change anything, right? Yes, it smells like tar. We drive a couple miles to Kevin Costner’s beach where it’s beautiful and pristine for our morning and evening beach walks. Good news is my son said this round of COVID isn’t as bad as before!
Yay for that news about your son’s symptoms! 😉
I’m thankful for that! 😊
Wow! That’s a whole lot to take in at one time EA- from all the local changes to now a shift in marriage plans as well thanks to Covid. I find that trying to go back to places that were once treasured parts of my life can be painful now. Logically I know that everything changes but it’s hard to let go of the way we spent time in special places. It’s like having to give up memories that we want to cling to.
It is a whole lot to take in. We are spending time walking at the beautiful beach where Kevin Costner lives. It’s a couple mile drive instead of walking from the house. All these things including Covid are out of my control, so I’m going with the flow. I was sad about the change in wedding plans, but I am thankful I’m not getting exposed to Covid, too!
The changes must be so frustrating but, as you note in your comment to Deb, the best we can do sometimes is go with the flow
I definitely have no control over what is going on. So what else can I do? Try and take care of myself and not fight changes.
Aww, that’s a bummer. I hope that he recovers quickly! And the plans are remade for a more convenient date.
I hope despite all these changes, you enjoy your vacation. Hugs
Thank you for the hugs. I do need them! The ocean vacation is soothing for all the uproar around me.
All the best for the future my friend 🤗🤗🤗
The signs are a hoot. I love anyone with a quiet sense of humor. I’m hoping that your son has a mild case of covid. What a bummer
I wish I knew the creative person who is building the structures at the beach. They are so fun. He or she has made people and dogs out of driftwood too. My son said this case of COVID is mild.
I’m sorry about your favorite burrito place. That would make me sad.
I love those handmade signs.
I hope your son recovers quickly. 💕😘
Thanks! I guess our job is to try more places for burritos until we find out new favorite spot. 😊
That’s true!
👍🏼
Oh no, about your son and COVID. That’s a bummer! I hope his soon to be wife is doing better.
It was another curveball, but fortunately they seem to have a milder case this time.
That’s good! A lot of people, myself included, are really tired lately. Heat, end of summer, COVID… don’t know. ENJOY your trip.
😊
That’s too bad about your son having COVID. It’s a good thing you are at the beach because you are having to surf a lot of uncertainty and changes. Sorry to hear about the tar on the beach. I love knowing your morning walks are beach walks this week. Sending lots of love to your whole family as you navigate! <3
Thank you, Wynne. I do believe that being at the beach is helping me. I feel much calmer in this environment. There’s always been tar in Santa Barbara, but the beach below our house with the remediation project is nasty! We drive a mile to where Ashton Kutcher and Kevin Costner live. The beach is beautiful and perfect for long walks.
Wow, that’s quite a cha-cha-cha-change to your plans. I’m sorry your son got Covid, but it sounds like he’ll get better soon. Hopefully they will be able to accommodate the interruption without too much problem.
Thank you! Now, instead of a quick trip to the Bay Area, we’re stuck at the beach walking and watching dolphins. 😊
That happened to my cousin last August! We went to Oregon anyway, even though we didn’t get to see the couple and the wedding wears postponed to October. The groom’s parents went ahead with the “rehearsal” party for family and our-of-town guests, so I got to spend an evening with my relatives.
How nice you got to be with family, if not for the actual wedding. I bet COVID has interrupted a lot of weddings. I went to two that turned out to be super spreaders, but I didn’t catch it. My son’s wedding was family only at the courthouse. He wanted to marry his longtime girlfriend (10 years living together) before she has surgery next week. Hopefully surgery won’t be postponed.
Oh, my goodness, I wasn’t expecting that. That’s too bad about your son. Ugh. Covid. I hope he feels better soon. And the wedding can happen when everyone is healthy. I hope you’re enjoying the beach!
We weren’t expecting any of this. We are feeling relaxed and settled at the beach. It’s soothing. We’ve rented this house each summer since 2018. I think it’s exactly what the doctor ordered. Both kids and future DIL were planning on spending time with us here. We’re alone and it’s very soothing –Facetiming kids each day.
Oh, sounds like a great vacation. Soothing. Have a great week.
Thanks!
I’m so sorry about your Son’s Wedding. I hope he recovers fully and quickly.
He’s felt sick for a couple days, but I don’t think it’s as bad as he had it before.
Our parents. It has its moments
I’m sure!
Oh no, your son got COVID, change of plans! I’m sorry. And the changes on your beach, lots to deal with. Hope you are still able to relax and enjoy your time on the coast. Hugs, C
Thanks! The wedding will be put off, but we’ll fly up spur of the moment on another day. We’re at the beach trying to relax. We have a few weeks here as a break from the desert heat.
Yep, the only thing constant is change….many times not for the better. I love the driftwood signs and hope they never leave! My heart sank at the news of your son’s wedding canceled. Seems like we all just have to pivot most of the time, doesn’t it?
Since 2020, it’s been one big pivot!