Ventura 2005 - Hobie Nationals & Wine Country

Friday, July22. I email Bill Pearson, saying I have a bed in Ventura if he is traveling there over the weekend. He counters with a conference call w/ his sister. Lynn’s crew needs a ride to LAX for Sunday evening, and also a place to stay Saturday evening. Booked it. I travel to Ventura. I departed at 12:15pm and arrived over 4 hours later. Traffic was fine until I pass LAX on the 405. Slow all the way to Ventura. I get to the room and immediately lock myself out. Three trips to the front desk and they finally provide a working key. I run into Lynn and Christy – they are my neighbors.

Theresa and I speak on the phone, confirming the dinner is at the Marriott (where Theresa is staying tonight). I arrive early and speak with Wrinkly (Bruce Fields). During dinner, I speak briefly with Steve Leo, Debbie Brown, & Terri McKenna.

After dinner, Theresa and I retired to the Marriott bar for a quiet glass of wine and then were followed by the adult Hobie crowd. It was good to see some people that I hadn’t seen for a while. Theresa and I escaped for a walk to the beach.

Saturday. I got up early to investigate the surf scene. Quiet and no waves near the yacht club. I met Theresa at her breakfast at the Marriott. Our plan was to see the Getty. And it was a relatively quick ride to there.

At the Getty

Rembrandt’s late religious portraits were the headliner at the Getty. Sixteen paintings were in one room. Stunning. My favorite was Man In A Red Cap, Possibly An Evangelist. We also enjoyed The Photographs of Paul Strand: Three Roads Taken. These were photographs in New York and later in life in France.

Theresa and I paced ourselves through the Getty, having drinks when needed, and enjoying the views. Although very warm, the gardens were beautiful. Several Latin bands were to start playing at 6PM, so we stayed for them. However, they were disappointing, so we took off in search of a Mexican restaurant on PCH via Sunset Blvd. Dinner was marginal. Continuing the journey home, I took the wrong turn to get to Ventura Highway. We spent about 45 minutes on a curvy and dark road, finally getting to the highway.

Sunday. I got up early and found surfable waves up north of the Hobie area, past the pier. I was one of the few in a shorty suit, and some surfers had bootie and gloves! The water was cool but not cold. I caught some nice right turns.

Theresa and I had breakfast at Denny’s. Then it was waiting until the 1PM registration for Theresa. Once registered, it was off to the wine country! Our first stop was Gainey Vineyard. Here I first learned about Theresa’s glass collection. The building and landscaping were beautiful. This should be the picnic spot for future visits. The next stop was the village of Los Olivos. The Los Olivos Café was closing, so our first stop was the Los Olivos Tasting Room. Theresa bought several bottles; I bought a dessert wine, and the glasses. Great posters on the walls. We got some Brie, crackers, and water at a village store, and enjoyed in outside the Epiphany Tasting Room. Of course, we stopped in the Epiphany tasting room, and I found a chardonnay I liked.

We wisely decided it was time to get back to Ventura. I had to get Christy, Lynn Myers’s crew to LAX for a late flight. We got stuck in the usual Sunday late afternoon traffic to Santa Barbara, but it flowed after that.

We returned to Ventura with just enough time to pack the car, take Theresa to the evening’s function, and get Christy to LAX on time.

Ventura 2005 Pics