Fab day.  Started off checking out the random little town of Solvang - totally and utterly Danish, and very touristy.  Ate a big Danish pastry of course.  Brent went to the vintage motorbike museum which made him quite excited...haha...even had the only unraced Britten in the world, on display.  I thought they were all very shiny and pretty colours!  :-) To be fair, it was a pretty ahsum collection.       
Then headed off to the hills, and to a remote mountain bike ride near Cachuma Lake.  The guidebook said it was a big climb...but we thought...we are tough kiwis, this will be cruisy compared to climbing at Eskdale.  Ummm...we were so wrong. Climbed 1000 metres for 2.5 hrs on gravel road (shouting on every corner to try and warn bears we were coming - found out afterwards that they're not a problem here ..oops) - got up to 1850m elevation with stunning views.  Then started the knarly descent - a bit sketchy in places but think it took us 1.5 hrs to get down!!!  Woohoo!  Few little surprises on the way down. 1st was a couple of slips that we had to run over in order to avoid the avalanche of stones down the steep hillside. Passed that one.  Then Brent literally came within 12 inches of a long snake - skidded to a halt - see photo - I came around the corner, whistling away, to find him cowering (he says it was more like 'backing away'  :-) ) away from this snake.....it wasn't going to move anywhere so we did a detour through the bush on

the edge of the hill.  Susbsequent research on the net shows it has similar markings to a rattlesnake.....although maybe we're just being paranoid!!  

Brent flicked away another tick too, which was preparing itself for a feed (caught it before it dug itself in).  Then, finally had to negotiate some thick bush at the bottom with heaps of Poison Oak in it.  Seem to be free of it this morning though.  phew.  Nerves were a little rattled (no pun intended) by the end of this ride.  Such a cool adventure though.  Was stuffed afterwards.

Rest day today in Santa Barbara!!  Went out last night to a very manic and vibrant bar/restaurant and propped up the bar for them (actually it was propping us up after that ride). Thought I saw Keanu Reeves in there but think I was just getting imaginative.  Apparently lots of stars live here and nearby Montecito!! Inc Oprah!!  (I want to check out the Op Shops here - I reckon they'll be even better than the ones in Havelock Nth haha). Exciting (Emma's comment, not Brent's)! Gone all luxurious and shouted ourselves a motel too.  Off to check out the town shortly..... 

Ojai town tonight to check out their famous sunset, and then staying in West Hollywood on Sun night....

Adios amigos.