SANTA BARBARA (Day 6 - part 5)

... The Camino Real continues.

Between 1850 - 1930, many Danes left Denmark for the US due to poor economic condtiions. Solvang (meaning sunny field) was founded in 1911.

In real life, white storks are often found nesting on the rooftops of Europe and Africa.

We popped in for some refreshments a the Solvang Brewing Company.

A short ways outside of town, just before Buellton, we came across Ostrichland USA! There were still open for a bit longer, so we couldn't resist a short visit.

The place was created in the early 1990s by a South African couple but was purchased in 2003 by a new owner who expanded it into what it is today.... the home of over 100 ostriches and emus. While you can't snuggle with them (and probably wouldn't want to), you can feed them.

Ostriches:
- native to Africa
- grow up to 9 feet tall and weigh 250 - 400 pounds
- males have black & white feathers; females are brown

Emus:
- native to Australia
- grow up to 6 feet tall, weigh 90 - 15- pounds
- both males and females are brown

... Each ostrich egg (which weighs up to 4 pounds) is equivalent to 18-24 chicken eggs , and each emu egg (1 1/2 pounds) is about 10-12.

The ostriches

Yeah, they were fairly aggressive.

In Oudtshoorn, South Africa, you feed them from your hands. Ouch! But here you got a pan of food, which was far less painful... or scary.

The emus

They were far more friendly and calm.

As we were driving out of town, we happened to look over and see the Barrelworks facility of Firestone Walker Brewing Company. We were helpless to refuse a visit.

So many lovely choices, so little time! It was so hard to choose! These are a few made with delicious ingredients such as nectarines & peaches, strawberries, orange & cacao, and cherimoya & kiwi.

We ended up arriving at our motel in Pismo Beach far later than intended... but it had been worth it!

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