Ocean Mesa at El Capitan, Santa Barbara, CA:  Decided to explore around some more today.  Drove up into the coastal mountains to a pretty little lake—well, probably a reservoir.  Then took a county road up over the mountains to get back to the 101 on a series of switchbacks.  The road was twisty and windy and very narrow.  Fortunately, we didn’t encounter another vehicle coming the other way.  We did encounter some skate boarders who were getting ready to go down this treacherous road.  It was 95 as we climbed up through the mountains—even started seeing Spanish moss in the trees, 65 when we were down in the valley, and 75 when we got back to Santa Barbara.  We saw a lot of fancy, electronic gates with a paved drive going off into infinity.  We must have seen 50 or more of these gated entrances to ranches and then even more when we drove through the wineries.  A pretty drive through the hills, mountains, valleys, and wineries.  Stopped at a little restaurant outside Santa Barbara and had dinner on their patio.  Back home.  Tired. 

Pretty little mountain lake

Bridge going over the lake

The old Hwy. 1 bridge.  I took this from the Amtrack railroad trestle.

Stunning coastline--from the railroad trestle

Back on the 101