I found this bunny at Hobby Lobby last year. I fell in love with it's one ear up and one ear down.
Had to ask someone to climb a ladder to retrieve him from a top shelf for me. He's my very favorite springtime thing. I couldn't wait to pull him out of the box and put him out again.
It's always so good to finally put away the darker colors of winter and lighten things up for spring ...
We don't have a mantel, so the hearth is our focal point. That's my digital photo frame inside the (cleaned out) fireplace ... it shuffles through family pictures going all the way back to 1999 and it's nice to have a light source in there while we don't need the warmth of a fire.
Here's some of my favorite springtime decor ...
And in the kitchen ...
I added the three chalkboards above the buffet counter this season ... I found them at Michael's.
They're covering three awkwardly placed plugs. I'm always looking for ways to cover them up ...
They're really candle holders, but I thought it would be fun to use eggs for spring.
Hope you agree ... it's a wonderful life ... and hope you're enjoying spring, too!
Just about time to put away the winter décor and brighten things up a
bit. The spring color palette is my
least favorite, so inspiration from outside always helps to get things going.
We have one dogwood tree at the JustB, and it's all gloried out ...
These blossoms transform into vibrant green ...
Last summer was extremely long and extremely hot. The trees don't seem to be in a hurry to come out of winter hiding ...
But we're getting there ...
The grass (and weeds) are up and growing though ...
Does that make you want to take off your shoes and go for a springtime stroll?
Springtime means spring rains. It's nice to see a little water in the creek ...
And some raccoon tracks ...
My favorite cottonwood tree is beginning to bloom out ...
And other things, not so pleasant, are blooming out ...
Three leaves coming from the same stem mean don't touch me; don't let the lush and beautiful fool you ...
There's lots of other that's lovely ...
The beehive sounded like a box fan. The bees are gearing up for a busy season ...
These are perfect days for gazing out open windows ...
On this day storms are brewing ...
And the wind is kicking up, much to Blanca's annoyance ...
this land locked Texas girl forgot to pack beach walking shoes for her trip to California.
But that's okay.
Because you know there's always one of these right around the corner ...
... well, unless you happen to be in Cambria, California.
Then, pretty much no, there is no Walmart.
For Walmart, you have to go to Paso Robles.
But that's okay!
Because the road to Walmart looks like this ...
... and the IPod is playing Born is the King, the theme song for our little excursion (it was December :o). Have you heard this song? It's the perfect accompaniment for a windows down, heart swelling Christmastime drive through the hills of California. This song will make your heart sing and your toes tap no matter what the season ...
There are several wineries between Cambria and Paso Robles ...
and always, always, 360 degrees of grandeur ...
Beautiful, no?
Could a road from here to there be more lovely?
Yes!
Yes it could!
It could when you have an adventurous sister who knows a backroad!
A one lane backroad!
A one lane backroad of
drop.
dead.
gorgeous.
See the darker blue in the distance below, on the left?
that's the ocean :o)
If I were a raccoon, I would live in the hollow of this tree ...
because this would be my view ...
We're only half way to Cambria ... and I'm glad we took this route on the way back from Walmart. Because if we'd taken it on the way to Walmart, Duct Tape would probably have been in my sister's cart. And that Duct Tape probably would've gone right over my mouth, because my brain was on gorgeousness overload and my mouth was on a continuous loop of
IT'S SO PRETTY!!!
This is the road ahead - or below, as the case may be ...
Want a video?
First, let me say I sound terribly goofy ... just be happy I only said "so beautiful" twice in 40 seconds and be glad you're not my sister, who, being short on DuctTape, probably would've loved to at least throw a thesaurus at me ... quick! give me 10 synonyms for beautiful!
Although the road feels remarkably secluded, there are several residences along the way.
How about this little house on the hill ...
or if you prefer a more traditional farmhouse ...
or perhaps the cottage look appeals to you ...
can you stand it??
Oh yes, there's property for sale ...
A cool 1.7 million gets you an address on this road ... give or take a couple thousand :o)
We saw a flock of wild turkeys ...
They were kind creepy. I kept thinking about Jurassic Park.
Definitely one of the strangest things I have ever seen!
I couldn't put my camera down. My heart aches even now for all the beauty. It was
just
so
pretty!
I sure am glad I forgot my shoes :o)
You can take this backroad drive, too! it feels quiet and secluded and you will feel
like you've discovered a secret passage to Heaven. The abounding peace will fill up your soul,
guaranteed.
From Cambria and Highway 1, take Main Street to Santa Rosa
Creek Road. Santa Rosa Creek Road dead
ends into Main Street, quite close to Fog's End Bed and Breakfast. At the other end of Santa Rosa Creek Road, you'll come to Highway 46 and can head to Paso Robles or back to Highway 1 and Cambria.
From Paso Robles, take Highway 46/Cayucus Road toward Cambria. Go approximately 10.5 miles and turn right on
Santa Rosa Creek Road. This turn is
almost half way to Highway 101 from Paso Robles. The turn is pretty nondescript, and there is
no sign saying "This Way to Heaven", so watch carefully for it.
Now ... as if this Backroad for the Bucket List isn't enough,
guess what our next stop is?
a castle!
This One for the Bucket List California Road Trip is a Six Part Series.
