Santa Barbara

After Thanksgiving we headed to Santa Barbara for the rest of the weekend. We absolutely LOVED it! We did a handful of hikes to waterfalls and hot springs...thanks to my honey who plans all the hikes! We walked around the boardwalk, harbor, pier and shops. We had a blast walking down state street and did a little Christmas shopping. It was so festive and classy. Who knew we would fall in love with Santa Barbara? Well, we did.

I love Mexican food and Los Arroyos is my new fave...and fried calamari from Brophy Bros. on the harbor was phenomenal. Yum! And, the botanical gardens were spectacular...the redwood forest was a delight. Yes, they had 250+ foot redwoods. I am dying to make a trip to the actual redwoods with my lover. We have so many places we want to visit together. This is only the beginning! I love you honey.

Disneyland

We had to go to Disneyland during the holidays to see all the decorations! It was packed, but worth it! We actually waited in line for Peter Pan this time...the ride is like 30 seconds of feeling like a child again!

Prop 8 Won!!

This is a great article by Ron Prentice, Chairman of protectmarriage.com

This is a great day for marriage. The people of California stood up for traditional marriage and reclaimed this great institution. We are gratified that voters chose to protect traditional marriage and to enshrine its importance in the state constitution. We trust that this decision will be respected by all Californians.

The Yes on Proposition 8 campaign has been the single largest, most powerful grassroots movement in the history of American ballot initiative campaigns. We raised approximately $40 million from over 70,000 individual contributors. We recruited the active support of over 100,000 volunteers who gave tirelessly of their time and energies to our cause. We could not have won without them! These dedicated volunteers have visited millions of homes, made millions of phone calls, distributed over one million yard signs and displayed one million bumper strips. The silent majority is alive and well in California.

Proposition 8 has always been about restoring the traditional definition of marriage. It doesn’t discriminate or take rights away from anyone. Gay and lesbian domestic partnerships will continue to enjoy the same legal rights as married spouses. Our coalition has no plans to seek any changes in that law.

While it will take a few weeks to finish counting all the votes, Proposition 8 takes effect at midnight tonight. Just as it was before the Supreme Court’s ruling, only marriage between a man and a woman will be valid or recognized in California, regardless of when or where performed.

This has been a hard-fought campaign on both sides. Now that the people of California have decided this issue, we hope there can be a healing among all and a continued respect for the diverse views that have been expressed during this campaign.

The outcome of this race is being closely followed in every state in the nation, and in countries throughout the world. California’s vote in favor of traditional marriage should give the silent majority comfort that they do have a voice and can and should stand up for this precious institution in legislatures throughout the world. Marriage is between a man and a woman.

San Diego

We went to San Diego today and went on a few hikes. Our favorite so far is Torrey Pines. We also tried another "dive". It's called Tioli's Crazy Burger. Scott got a venison burger, 1/2 beef 1/2 lamb burger and a German bratwurst. I got the nasty Alligator burger. I wouldn't have ordered it if I knew how hard to chew it would be. Man, it was bad...the flavor was like chicken, but the texture was like grissley chicken. Sick.

After that misadventure, we decided to go to Coronado Island again. We got ice cream and watched the cruise ships and airplanes go by the most gorgeous orange and red sunset. And we found this great little bookstore. We love Coronado Island.