The OAKS Summer Picnic

I know summer has arrived when it is time for the Oaks annual summer picnic, a wonderful neighborhood tradtion.   Gerry and I have lived in The Oaks for 27 years.  We think it is a special neighborhood, with a tight feeling of community.    People look after one another in The Oaks.  Many of the homes feature interesting architecture and beautifullly landscaped yards.  I never get tired of walking the streets in "the hood." 

Last Saturday at the well-attended picnic, we celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Oaks HomeOwners Association.  Many of the Oaks former presidents attended the picnic, which featured delicious home-made food from local Oaks resident and chef extraordinaire Joan Young  (The picnic menu included BBQ Chicken, Teriyaki Chicken,  gourmet macaroni & cheese, baked beans, corn bread, salads, quesadillas, and the cake pictured above.)  Thank you, Joan!

Current President, Caroline Schweich and many other past presidents (including Gerry Hans, immediately behind Caroline on the right.) 

We even had our council member Tom LaBonge drop by.  After all, it was a photo-op!

Councilmember in his casual picnic attire, to the left of Caroline.

Families flocked to the picnic.   There's much fun and games for everyone to enjoy!

Thanks to the fabulous Oaks Board who made it all possible.   We love The Oaks!

OJAI Weekend - Ride & Relax

Who Knew?  Certainly not us, shamefully.  Now we do and we'll be back.

Ojai is a small town, located in the Ojai Valley, northwest of  L.A. and souteast of Santa Barbara.  It is about 12 miles north and inland from Ventura.  We finally visited Ojai this past weekend, over 20 years since we have lived in L.A.

The inspiration for the trip was to ride our bikes in the Ojai Metric Century Ride on Saturday June 1st.  (Gerry's 62nd birthday is June 7th, and I had the brilliant idea of celebrating by riding 62 miles, even though neither of us have done so in the last 20 years.)  Gerry did long distance cycling many years ago in his "pre Mary days."  Me?  I'm relatively new to the sport, but did do a Half-Century Ride in Solvang in March and got hooked.

We stayed at the Pepper Tree retreat. Specifically we were in the Bodhi Tree Room, which  was splendid.  At the Pepper Tree, there are no TVs, no Radios, no Phones, no distractions.  There is WiFi and also writing desks in each room, and plenty of communal places outside and inside to meditate, reflect and relax.

Bodhi  Tree Room is on 2nd floor of this cottage

Not a good picture, but these are Orange Trees aligning the path on either side.  We were welcomed to pick as many as we liked!

So, Gerry and I both enjoyed the ride on Saturday.  It was very scenic!  The ride took us from downtown Ojai over to the Casistas Pass (over Lake Casitas) and then toward the coast and Ventura. The final 15 mile stretch was along a scenic bike path back to Ojai. 

Would I do this again?   YES !    

 It was 64.2 miles.  Fun on the saddle, but happy to be off.

Great ride Sat.   Sun am we awoke and hiked behind the Thacher School.

We  finished the weekend with a stroll through the Farmers Market - quite the authentic market. 

  Yes, Hoo-Ray for OJAI!