Gina and I took an impromptu trip to Santa Barbara over the Final Four weekend. aka, my birthday weekend. We had booked a bike tour for Fri. and Mon. with an outfit out of Santa Ynez. The wine area, made famous by the movie "Sideways". We just wanted a good 25 mile ride, a hard workout, no stopping at wineries. We'd have wine for dinner. And it was a great ride ! 35 miles ! our personal tour guide, Robert, led the way. Unless Gina was leading on a breakaway, or me, up a hill. Our Monday ride got rained out. And we were not wimps, it was POURING !!!
We saw Bo Derek riding horses. Well, she lives in the area, and I'm sure it was her. At 500 yds. everyone is a celebrity. Robert told us Bernie Taupin lives in the area, and Doc Severinson. OK, so maybe it's the "B" list of stars, but... hey top this.... Dr. Laura Schlesinger has a condo next door to the hotel.
We stayed at the Fess Parker Doubletree in SB. Kept our eyes peeled for Fess, but never saw him. darn. Loved his show.
However, that night at the hotel, Al Franken, one of my mom's favorites (just kidding), was giving a show for a local charity. For $250 you could go to the "meet & greet", or $50 for the show. When we got back from dinner, we moseyed down to the ballroom, bought a glass of wine, and well, you've heard of the Wedding Crashers, we became the "meet & greet crashers". I'm sure we fit right in, esp. me carrying my plastic drug store bag with water bottles and tampons. While Gina raided the cheese table, I channeled the spirit of Dick Rinehart and started talking to strangers. When G turned around I was chatting with the mayor of SB. We had a nice long talk. Her husband (yes, the mayor is a woman) was most interested in any "Bill" stories Gina had. and she has one that he loved. Then we mingled a bit. Got our photos taken with Al Franken. My, he's a short guy. Not on my camera, darn it, and I'm not sure I want to track down the photographer, might get charged $250 each. Then we split, our work being done.
2 comments:
Oh, yeah? Well, I saw Julia Roberts and Tony Danza in New York during spring break. Of course, I wasn't smooth enough to get my picture taken with either one, but we did get invited into the VIP "green room" at the Tony Danza Show ( a high class bit of daytime entertainment). I tried NOT to channel the Rinehart family way of loading up pockets with the free food, although I admit to thinking about it.
Joan
Sounds like a lively trip. Except the rain part. Not surprised about the channeling of Dad. Once a Rinehart, always a Rinehart(and proud of it!) It's in the blood.
Maureen
Post a Comment