Journey From Ojai

[keyan_bowes]

Continuing the story of our Ojai visit...

Driving down to Ojai we'd taken the 101 freeway, paralleling the coast but usually not close enough for a sea-view. It had no surprises save for an Elvis-themed McDonald's somewhere along the way.

On the way back, we took Hwy 33. What a difference!  
It was a journey somehow reminiscent of LOTR, though we drove not rode and carried no fearful token.

The road climbed quickly once we left Ojai Valley, winding through the forest, crossing a waterfall, diving through several tunnels including two that were back-to-back, ever upward. And then, like magic, at about 5,000 feet: Snow! Not a lot, just a dusting on the pines and a frosting on the shrubs, a shadow under the plump gray clouds (East Coasters may stop snickering now. It's been two years since I've seen snow. I still find it entrancing.)

And then we were rapidly descending. Now the terrain changed quite suddenly. The road ran along a valley floor walled by deeply eroded mountains. Between the road and the dry river bed, the plain grew chaparral including that iconic wild west plant, the tumbleweed.

The valley was empty, the road straight and flat. This was the day before Thanksgiving, and only a few miles away, the I-5 was undoubtedly crowded with cars.  We saw few vehicles, no people, no buildings.

Until we came to Beautiful Downtown Ventucopa.

(Next post: The Place in Beautiful Downtown Ventucopa.)