Day #6 Monday – August 12, 2013

We woke up to our perfect little campsite and the 5 of us headed back up to Treebones for some breakfast. They are a self sufficient location and fully functioning from everything to food to their own fire truck. Needless to say you can taste the difference in the freshness of their food. We had some farm fresh eggs, waffles, and their home made yogurt, granola, and fruit.

We took a drive, what we thought would be much shorter, to the nearest store of any kind to fill up our ice chest with some more ice. Then we drove back to our part of town and searched for surf most of the way back because we brought Justin’s surfboard but we have never seen there not be waves…. Anywhere! Believe me we have driven practically the entire coast in California and nada.

We decided to hike at Limekiln from the advice of our friends at Treebones and boy they were were right! GORGEOUS! Red woods, streams, and a waterfall; it was just absolutely breathtaking. Ok, ready for a lot of pictures? 

We again went on the hunt for surf and some new local friends who were just enjoying the beach (no surf) at one of the spots told us to check out surf at Pacific Valley. We headed up there and it was about 1 foot, but that was enough for this surf angsty guy! I mean come on, we have it with us the whole trip there better be at least one time of use with it!

This beach was so amazing. It reminded us of the pictures of coastlines in the Mediterranean. We also had the beach all to ourselves! It was justin’s first time surfing all alone in the water and he said the experience was unique due to the remote location and felt the eeriness of how small he was in comparison to the wildlife that was possibly around him. Each duck dive was like sticking your head in an ice bucket.

We made our way back to our campsite,  just the two of us now because Lee and Nicole left to visit her folks. We made our dinner and ended up talking and playing a new card game in our tent because it was getting so windy and cold outside. To Justin’s disliking we played a new game that I bought called Phase 10. He claims there is no strategy in it so he doesn’t like it because it is like a glorified GoFish type of a game. I don’t believe it was meant to be played with two people because it was just super difficult, but who knows. Maybe we can talk our friends into playing it with us and give it a second chance?

Day #5 Sunday - August 11, 2013

Splash Cafe is a must visit for good chowder!

Today we woke up and left the comforts of Ventura and started our 5 hour drive to Big Sur. We were excited that we finally felt like we were officially on the road.  We drove about half our destination and stretched our legs at The Splash Cafe in Pismo Beach. I'm a breakfast person, like I HAVE to have breakfast as my first meal of the day even if I wake up late. I just love it and my day feels off if I don't have a some sort of an item from the morning category. To show how good this chowder at the cafe was I didn't eat breakfast and saved my appetite for a delicious, creamy, warm bowl of the cafe's famous clam chowder. I'm telling you, its well worth it! ;)  We were able to eat and walk the peir and take some cool shots of the early morning coast line then back to the road we went.

Squints on the Pismo Pier.

On our way up we stopped by to see the elephant seals!

This picture just doesn't do it justice at how HUGE they are! The white ones are the pups!

So we kept on driving through some very foggy and windy seaside cliffs to finally reach Big Sur. We searched for a suitable campsite and claimed the best spot on the campsite, at the advice of the campsite hostess. 

We pulled into it and someone left us some flowers! We knew it was the one ;)

Just a crazy view in Big Sur. No big deal.

We made up our little makeshift home and headed to TreeBones Resort where they were playing that evening. This place is awesome! A family built up some land in the town for those who would like to stay in Yurts. They are large round rooms with beds and a sink. They have horses, a garden, a nest, and great vistas at every spot. They had the coolest stage for the guys to play on. It reminded me of a natural made amphitheater. We met some really genuine people and had fun battling the wind and very visible fog. We warmed back up in their restaurant to have some super fresh food and sushi then we all went back to our camp spot to cheers for being on the road together.

Thank you TreeBones for having us!

The dining room!

This one is called the nest.

One of the coolest stage areas. They put out cushions once the music started.

The boys, the stage, and the fog. Coming to you soon.

Oh just the cutest little baby bundle ever! I couldn't imagine this trip without this lil' one.

Day #4! Saturday - August 10, 2013

Today we woke up and took a jog mixed with some circuit training around the Ventura pier. We walked around a bit and then went back to our temporary home. We decided that this day we were just going to relax, but also had quite a bit of prepping to do for camping for the next 3 days in Big Sur. So our afternoon and evening consisted of us playing Rummy, doing some laundry, picking up the house, repacking, and grocery shopping.  But we would like you to meet Dave. He is our traveling companion and we hope to collect some more of his friends soon. Thanks Cheerios! We are huge fans of minions.

DAY #3! Friday - August 9th, 2013

I get coffee just for this!

Today we made ourselves some breakfast and had a relaxed morning, then drove north to Santa Barbara and found a sweet coffee shop called The French Press. We have been here on a recent trip for a gig and fell in love with the place. So we were able to sit down and write the previous two posts with the help of some awesome coffee!

View from SOhO's balcony.

After sound checking and prepping, at a great restaurant/bar/music venue called SOhO, we were able to once again meet some very sweet Ventura friends of the Kochs that came up to SB to watch them. The show went great and we were sad to see Jesse, the ripping fiddle player, leave us at this leg of the tour. He. Is. Awesome. 

As we were wrapping up the night eating some pizza at a local spot we get a plea for help from our travel companions that they are in great need of gas and are currently on the side of the highway. As we aren’t familiar with SB, it took us a tad longer than we would have hoped to find a gas station.  With the stench of gasoline in the car, after a minor spill from overflowing the portable tank, we kept our eyes peeled on the side of the highway for their Rialta home. We found them! Helped fill them back up, and followed them to the closest gas station for good measure. We sure are happy they are safe! ;)

Great Show!

DAY #2 Thursday - August 8, 2013

Today is the "first day" of a gig during our travels for the tour. Finally not being constrained by crazy work schedules, we were able to workout at the beach in the morn, do a little grocery shopping, drank coffee at Palermos and had some fun house hunting for our dream place in Ventura. In the evening the boys played at Paradise Pantry. They have just open for about a month at this new location. It was adorned via the eclectic stylistic eye of our hostess Carolyn and this comfortable atmosphere was supported with a very delectable menu made with fresh ingredients. You should definitely check it out if you are ever in downtown Ventura. The place was packed with friends and locals enjoying this venue's wine bar, food, and of course that night's music ;)  Again, we made more great friends and afterwards we hung out at a friends house. The six of us surrounded a late night bonfire, telling stories and making new memories until the wee hours of the morning. 

Rockin' out at Paradise Pantry

 DAY #1....... of 38!!   Wednesday - August 7, 2013

 The road trip has begun! Now it's not the first official day of tour, but it's the first of the travel days away from our home. They started with The Griffin in San Diego, Crush & Brew in Temecula, and then Santa Rosa Plateau in Murrieta. They were all incredible gigs, but its time that our cars are loaded up and our road trip/tour/adventure starts now!

For those who may have no idea what the heck is going on, Justin is the drummer for Lee Koch. He is an amazing vocalist, harmonica and guitar player that belts out soulful americana music that speaks truth to any heart.  We are privileged enough that we can put live's in Temecula on hold to embark on Justin's dream of being on tour. I am so encouraged, blessed, and beyond excited to take part of making my husbands dreams come true and can't wait to personally partake in this "journey to unfold."

Base Camp. This is our life for the next 38 days! {No, we are not sleeping in it ;) }

First Stop: VENTURA!!

We. Love. Ventura. Do I need to say anymore? Ok, ok I will. We love this small town, tight knit community. Everyone has everyone's back and well of course it is ON THE BEACH! We have been lucky to make connections with locals during past gigs here and have found our new friends to be nothing short of showing extreme hospitality. We are blessed to be staying at our friend Carolyn's house during our stay till Sunday morning.

Our first day of arrival included heading straight to the beach. Did you really expect anything else? It was a neat feeling to have everything in the car ready for any occasion. So we got in proper attire and walked, laid out, and played cards.

Silver Strand, Oxnard. Surf = Depressingly flat. Imagination workout; husband mind surfed for hours.

Once we got a temporary sufficient fill, we drove a short distance and checked in with our gracious host and she told us the fair is in town.  After finding out Justin has never been to the fair, we decided to the fair we go! Crowded and expensive but fun.  Check out some of our Ventura County Fair shenanigans: