Direct from Hadsten House In Solvang California: Sunny Meadows and Great Riding!
Sunny Meadows
Solvang means "Sunny Meadows" in Danish! However, it's not just the meadows that are sunny in disposition here. The people who live and do business in this shining spot of the Santa Ynez Valley seem to radiate contentment that makes one very comfortable indeed!
For example, comes across many items that are welcoming such as the brightly decorated and flag draped streets matched with the Danish architecture giving the feeling in some ways of a perpetual Christmas celebration. The lovely Hans Christian Anderson Park with a huge bust of Danish writer, Hans Christian Anderson sets off the many business and curio shops-----one would feel that he/she is in a Californian fairy tale.
Of course there are the street names such as Elverhoy, Copenhagen, Molle, Atterdag and business names such as the Elverhoj Museum, Viking Garden and Pavlov Garden! There is even a bench in downtown Solvang that is called the "Sladerbaenken" or "Gossip Bench" where people can sit down and-----Gossip! I imagine though that all the gossip in this fair town is just friendly gossip.
However, one does not need just to go to the Sladerbaenken to chat! Olsen's Danish Bakery is a favourite of locals who wish to discuss the day's plans or events and have a delicious pastry along
with a coffee! However, I warn you, the decadent pastries and other gastronomic items at this place can become very habit forming and I find myself salivating at the thought of tasting a new undiscovered morsel of their food.
Specialty stores such as the Olive House which sells---Olives, the Solvang Antique Center and Le Studio Ceramic Studio all offer the visitor many ideas for gifts and interest items. There are also many areas to test ones oenophile attributes such as Alisal Cellars, Five Wines Bar Trio Tastings and Honeywood & Old Mission Wine Co.-----all of which offer a special way to educate and please the palate of wine loving visitors.
Holistic Equestrians, Horse Shopping and A Great Meal!
Of course there are other venues in the area around Solvang that attract tourists and visitors from all over the globe. Two such spots were visited by yours truly and family yesterday. Having two teenage girls along on this trip can make being a host quite challenging. I can't imagine why after coming almost 5000 miles from the Greater Toronto Area, the girls would be quite happy at staying in their room and watching television and munching on Nachos. However, the challenge was met yesterday July 30th, when Darlene made plans to visit the Equestrian Pastures of Valley View Farms not far from Solvang.
Equestrian Susan Derr Drake is also known by another title of "Holistic Equestrian Artist". An artist she is and a gentle one at that. You could tell right away that this woman cared deeply not only for the way her horses were physically kept and treated but also for the way they were treated psychologically. My daughter Taryn and her friend Victoria Delsnyder who fancy themselves as accomplished competitive Hunter /Jumper riders were first treated to an educational seminar on the physiology of horses. The next was a lesson in the balance.
"People seem to accentuate the left and ride with the pressure on the left side and then wonder why the horse goes lame!"
The girls came out of there with a better appreciation of not just riding skills but also of the "do's, don'ts and why's" of horsemanship. The horses that they rode were an indication of the quality available here. Taryn rode "Dance With Me" a $50,000 filly and Victoria rode "Lucky Star" a fine stallion. A look at the marvellous horses and lovely pet Afgan dog that she had in conjunction with the spotless stables and stalls gave me a very good feeling about this place and this special woman.
Later on that day, we travelled to Jedlikas in Los Olivos where the girls spent an hour looking over the many horse products. Jedlikas is always one of my and now their favourite haunts and I am sure we'll be back there before we leave for Canada next week.
The Red Barn in Santa Ynez was our last visit for the day where we were treated to a fine meal at this very famous spot where many of film personalities who live locally go for excellent eating. Darlene and I had the "Flat Iron Steak" cooked to perfection along with a glass of Andrew Murray Syrah. The girls both had "Grilled Chicken Salad" which they seemed to enjoy!
Next: A visit to Rancho de la Florecita
Solvang means "Sunny Meadows" in Danish! However, it's not just the meadows that are sunny in disposition here. The people who live and do business in this shining spot of the Santa Ynez Valley seem to radiate contentment that makes one very comfortable indeed!
For example, comes across many items that are welcoming such as the brightly decorated and flag draped streets matched with the Danish architecture giving the feeling in some ways of a perpetual Christmas celebration. The lovely Hans Christian Anderson Park with a huge bust of Danish writer, Hans Christian Anderson sets off the many business and curio shops-----one would feel that he/she is in a Californian fairy tale.
Of course there are the street names such as Elverhoy, Copenhagen, Molle, Atterdag and business names such as the Elverhoj Museum, Viking Garden and Pavlov Garden! There is even a bench in downtown Solvang that is called the "Sladerbaenken" or "Gossip Bench" where people can sit down and-----Gossip! I imagine though that all the gossip in this fair town is just friendly gossip.
However, one does not need just to go to the Sladerbaenken to chat! Olsen's Danish Bakery is a favourite of locals who wish to discuss the day's plans or events and have a delicious pastry along
with a coffee! However, I warn you, the decadent pastries and other gastronomic items at this place can become very habit forming and I find myself salivating at the thought of tasting a new undiscovered morsel of their food.
Specialty stores such as the Olive House which sells---Olives, the Solvang Antique Center and Le Studio Ceramic Studio all offer the visitor many ideas for gifts and interest items. There are also many areas to test ones oenophile attributes such as Alisal Cellars, Five Wines Bar Trio Tastings and Honeywood & Old Mission Wine Co.-----all of which offer a special way to educate and please the palate of wine loving visitors.
Holistic Equestrians, Horse Shopping and A Great Meal!
Of course there are other venues in the area around Solvang that attract tourists and visitors from all over the globe. Two such spots were visited by yours truly and family yesterday. Having two teenage girls along on this trip can make being a host quite challenging. I can't imagine why after coming almost 5000 miles from the Greater Toronto Area, the girls would be quite happy at staying in their room and watching television and munching on Nachos. However, the challenge was met yesterday July 30th, when Darlene made plans to visit the Equestrian Pastures of Valley View Farms not far from Solvang.
Equestrian Susan Derr Drake is also known by another title of "Holistic Equestrian Artist". An artist she is and a gentle one at that. You could tell right away that this woman cared deeply not only for the way her horses were physically kept and treated but also for the way they were treated psychologically. My daughter Taryn and her friend Victoria Delsnyder who fancy themselves as accomplished competitive Hunter /Jumper riders were first treated to an educational seminar on the physiology of horses. The next was a lesson in the balance.
"People seem to accentuate the left and ride with the pressure on the left side and then wonder why the horse goes lame!"
The girls came out of there with a better appreciation of not just riding skills but also of the "do's, don'ts and why's" of horsemanship. The horses that they rode were an indication of the quality available here. Taryn rode "Dance With Me" a $50,000 filly and Victoria rode "Lucky Star" a fine stallion. A look at the marvellous horses and lovely pet Afgan dog that she had in conjunction with the spotless stables and stalls gave me a very good feeling about this place and this special woman.
Later on that day, we travelled to Jedlikas in Los Olivos where the girls spent an hour looking over the many horse products. Jedlikas is always one of my and now their favourite haunts and I am sure we'll be back there before we leave for Canada next week.
The Red Barn in Santa Ynez was our last visit for the day where we were treated to a fine meal at this very famous spot where many of film personalities who live locally go for excellent eating. Darlene and I had the "Flat Iron Steak" cooked to perfection along with a glass of Andrew Murray Syrah. The girls both had "Grilled Chicken Salad" which they seemed to enjoy!
Next: A visit to Rancho de la Florecita
posted by Chuck Byers - Wine Consultant | 7:32 AM
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