Lake Cachuma, surrounded by the Santa Ynez and San Rafeal mountains, is not far Santa Barbara and benefits from the nearby Pacific Ocean.  This is where we have been camping the last 5 days and will stay through the July 4 holiday weekend.  The weather has been ever sunny and temperatures range from a low in the 50’s and a high in the 80’s.   The lake serves as a reservoir and no human touch allowed.  So there is boating but no swimming.  And the CA drought is so apparent here.  Only 25% of the lake remains and it will be down another 8 feet if no rain by October.   Water is such a precious commodity!  Pictures below reflect the lake’s low levels.

So much learning and newness in process..   Steve is getting more and more comfortable driving the RV with a car in tow and has managed exceptionally well through some incredibly tight places.   I’ll take a stab at this on next trip perhaps.   And I’ve become aware of the comfort routines that have been a norm in my life;  knowing how to operate everything around me, where to find items in the grocery store, yoga class schedule, WIFI, coffee shops in walking distance……   They are not here any more.   Sometimes unsettling;  sometimes frustrating.   I am building norms – walks early in the morning, writing at both ends of the day.  I wonder if people ever get to not having routines as their norm??

And interesting incidences abound…         Having the black water hose spring a leak while pumping out ‘crap’….    Trading a bottle of wine for crystallized coyote urine (which wards of certain critters from making homes under the RV, in the generator)…..   When hiking solo, being prepared in case of a mountain lion encounter.

People make such a difference….  The ‘home’ family and friends who continue to be there, check in, keep us in the loop, support/help out.  The    new people, friends we make along the way…..    Receiving a lavender bouquet from Bea, new friend and campground host;  Dave and Mario, from PC Mechanical, working over and beyond on a problem with our RV/car braking system.    And a very special thank you to our home neighbor and friend, Janet, for working through the mail forwarding morass.          We’ve had dinner and after dinner guests;  people stopping by with maps, recommending places to go;  people walking us through a campground to find good spots,  offers to keep an eye on our laundry at the laundromat.     Keeping an open heart and open door brings about great and unexpected returns.