Monday, March 24, 2008

Ojai

Wow! It has been three months since my last blog post. I guess that means I have not done much traveling. In a way that is true, although I did take the Megabus (www.megabus.com) to visit my daughter son-in-law and grandsons in Las Vegas. That is just the greatest way for me to travel; $35 round trip. It takes the same amount of time as driving, but I couldn’t even pay for enough gasoline to get there with $35. Plus, I do not have to concentrate on the road, I can read, watch a DVD, sleep or whatever.

Anyway, this entry is about a weekend trip to Ojai. Dianne and I stayed at the Lavender Inn (www.lavenderinn.com). It is one block off the main drag, near all the shops and activities, but it is still in a quiet and beautiful setting. The hosts were wonderful and the breakfasts are great. I highly recommend staying here. “Ray the electrician” retired to Ojai about 30 years ago and knows everyone and everything that goes on in Ojai. He had great restaurant suggestions and we were treated well by anyone he referred us to.

Dianne and I were able to ride our bikes all around the town, and we could even ride all the way to the beach in Ventura on a bike path, about 14 miles, and take the bus back from the beach. So anyone could ride the mild downhill slope to the beach and take a bus back. Most folks ought to be able to ride both ways if they ride often enough.

There was a lovely monastery we just dropped into and had a wonderful conversation with a man who was one of the brothers of the order. When asked why we were going to Ojai, like there was nothing there, I agreed. That is why we went there. Yes, there are stores, art galleries, thrift shops, a theatre, and restaurants, but the point was to get away from Los Angeles and have nothing to do. That’s all there is to say. Ojai is only 1 hour away from L.A., but a world away as well.