~by Dena Burroughs

LOMPOC, CA – LABOR DAY WEEKEND 2007

Day 1 – September 1, 2007

     It’s now the end of our first day in Lompoc (pronounced Lom-poke,) a small town in Central California, just off the 101 freeway and about 20 minutes west of Solvang.  Lompoc has most of our average American “necessities”: supermarkets, Starbucks, Walgreens, Carrows (no Dennys!), and so forth, but it is still relatively quaint with no much excitement going on.

Its history says that the first inhabitants of this area were the Chumash Indians, who eventually, luckily or not, got a visit from the Europeans who built the Mission La Purisima that we visited today.  The growth to today’s 46,000 population came as a result of the Vandenberg Air Force Base, which is just a few minutes away from town.

The best part of Lompoc is that, although closer to the beach, it is wayyyy more affordable than its sister cities of Buellton, and Solvang, and at the same time not very far away from them.  Therefore, here we are, enjoying the last weekend before schools start.

Besides visiting La Purisima, today we made it to Solvang, shopped its stores and had a Danish lunch, hiked up to the very dry Nojoqui Falls, checked out the Chumash Indian Casino (they turned us away at the door though – no minors allowed past the door –bleh-), and even sneaked in one wine tasting!

Now we’re back at the hotel and everyone in my family has an agenda – for one it’s a nap, for the others it's King Kong the movie, for me, it’s always VidaSalsera.

Day 2 - September 2nd, 2007

     It was hard to get up this morning.  By the time we left the room it was almost 11 am.  We drove North 40 minutes or so on the 101 freeway towards Pismo Beach, in search of Shell Beach, specifically the Dinosaur Caves Park, where an art festival was scheduled.  The festival ended up being nothing much to talk about, but the view from the cliffs at Shell Beach was incredible.  The heat was equally incredible: 109 F! and right by the water!  Chelsea's cheeks looked like tomatoes for a while, until Avila Beach, just north of Shell Beach, came to our rescue with a cold ocean that was perfect against the high temperature.

     One odd, yet good, thing about California is that the temperature changes from one spot to another impressively, and from 109 F we went to 69 F at Morro Bay, with only a 20 minute drive.  Morro Bay is nice.  The rock reminds me of its papa Gibraltar in the other continent. 

     A group of seals were going crazy right behind The Coffee Pot Restaurant across the rock.  That was unexpected fun.  Seaworld would be jealous. 

     Not surprisingly, I am sun burnt.  We are back at the hotel now - one to take a nap, the others to watch a movie, and me, to VidaSalsera.  Deja vu!

Day 3 - September 3rd, 2007

     We're back home now.  The house felt like an oven as we walked in.  How hot has it been in the San Gabriel Valley!?!

     I wish our little vacation wasn't over, but c'est la vie.  Today we did one more wine tasting, drove by Los Olivos, and down the scenic drive from Lompoc.  The scenery was fantastic: the flowers, the vineyards, the fields in all shades of green.  Discovered Jalama Beach on the way between Lompoc and the 101 freeway:  nice beach, away from everything, with a busy campground. 

     Vacations are so nice!  but now back to real life...