Camping & __________ @ Santa Barbara / Solvang [rescheduled]
Details
Hi.
If interested, please read carefully.
This trip was originally planned for October, but our campground reservation was canceled because a campground had an issue/problem (plus, Los Padres National Forest was closed in Oct due to wildfires), and later rescheduled to early November, but one forecast for Nov 6 - 8 says rain is possible, so now we'll try for Nov 13 - 15, and hope for warmer weather.
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If the presidential election results and possible fight about mail-in-ballots and lawsuits doesn't result in an American civil war or other chaotic craziness, I'm thinking of going to Solvang & Santa Barbara to rest and recover from all the political arguing, division, anger, hatred, animosity, etc.
Others might want a break from the crazy political news, so if a few people want to to do a smaller camping trip & weekend get-away before winter arrives, we can stay at another campground in Santa Ynez Mountains. However, parking space is a concern, which will limit the # of people who can attend (compared to our earlier campsite reservation that could accommodate more vehicles).
If this trip happens, here's a general overview:
This can be a short trip...such as starting Saturday morning...and staying overnight until Sunday (Nov 14 - 15)...
...or it can start on Friday, and we can camp for two nights until Sunday (Nov 13 - 15).
This trip is flexible, so you can choose when to arrive/leave.
Parking space is an issue, and COVID-19 is still a concern, so this will be a small group trip, and we should have plenty of space to set up tents at a safe distance. My guess is 4 - 10 people might attend. If anyone prefers a large group or a super-spreader event, other people/groups plan bigger trips you might enjoy more.
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Options of things to do:
A) Exploring Santa Barbara
B) Visiting the Danish-inspired town, Solvang
C) Wine tasting in Santa Ynez Valley, Solvang, or elsewhere
D) Hiking
E) Or whatever else you want to do/see
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Santa Barbara is around 2 - 2.5 hours away from OC - https://goo.gl/maps/RbDERjksJ2r
Solvang is about 2.5 - 3 hours away from OC - https://goo.gl/maps/qvzRD57adh22
Santa Barbara is around 1.5 - 2 hours away from LA - https://goo.gl/maps/WyzFnRLLnaQ2
Solvang is about 2 - 2.5 hours away from LA - https://goo.gl/maps/pqzE5xbww162
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One idea is to spend a day in Solvang (Saturday) and another day in Santa Barbara (Sunday).
For example, have lunch at Solvang, and check out the various shops/stores. In the afternoon, go wine tasting, visit some mini-horses, or feed an ostrich.
On Saturday night we can have dinner together at the campsite, or you're welcome to dine at a restaurant.
On Sunday, you can go to Santa Barbara to walk around downtown, go to the pier/beach, go hiking, or do something else.
If anybody has other suggestions on what to do/where to go, feel free to share your ideas.
https://www.daytrippen.com/solvang-danish-village-day-trip-santa-ynez-valley
https://www.daytrippen.com/santa-barbara-day-trip-things-to-do
https://www.tripsavvy.com/getaway-to-santa-ynez-valley-1478361
https://www.10best.com/destinations/california/santa-barbara/tips/10best-day-trip-explore-solvang
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Photos: https://www.meetup.com/SoCalVolunteers/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=27409099
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeeR8jvu56Y
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The posted start time of 5 pm on Friday is arbitrary.
This trip is flexible. You can arrive any time on Friday or Saturday (your choice).
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Examples of things to do:
— Wine tasting:
http://www.solvangusa.com/wine-country/wineries-vineyards
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g33103-Activities-c36-t132-Solvang_California.html
http://www.sbcountywines.com/wine-tasting-routes.html
http://cdn.solvangusa.com/digital_files/533/sideways_map-solvang-2014.pdf
— Walk around Solvang:
http://www.solvangusa.com/things-to-do/itineraries/a-solvang-walking-tour
https://www.yelp.com/biz/city-of-solvang-solvang
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g33103-Activities-Solvang_California.html
http://www.carolmendelmaps.com/mapsb/sb4.html
http://www.solvangusa.com/?ACT=25&fid=5&d=565&f=solvangwalkingmap.pdf
http://www.solvangusa.com/?ACT=25&fid=5&d=565&f=solvang-sweet-treats-030814.pdf
— Walk around downtown Santa Barbara, go to the beach/pier, or do something else:
http://www.visitcalifornia.com/destination/spotlight-santa-barbara
https://www.tripsavvy.com/santa-barbara-day-or-weekend-trips-1478765
http://travel.usnews.com/Santa_Barbara_CA/Things_To_Do
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g33045-Activities-Santa_Barbara_California.html
— Hiking in Santa Barbara
https://santabarbaraca.com/itinerary/best-hikes-in-santa-barbara
http://everydayrunaway.com/travel/the-best-hikes-in-santa-barbara
http://www.alltrails.com/us/california/santa-barbara
http://www.hikespeak.com/central-coast/santa-barbara
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Dogs are allowed at the campground.
Dogs appear to be welcome in the town of Solvang and the city of Santa Barbara. However, I need to check if the beach/pier allows dogs...and also some hiking trails.
https://www.facebook.com/SolvangUSA/posts/3491491974204467
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General Intro:
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This is a car camping / tent camping trip.
If anyone has never camped before, as long as you're open-minded & adaptable, then this trip can accommodate brand new campers.
Several first-timers have attended our trips, so we're happy to help.
However, due to coronavirus and social/physical distancing issues, we need to keep the size of this group trip manageable, so we're sorry if many who RSVP'ed cannot be accommodated.
Most people should stay home until an effective vaccine/treatment for COVID-19 is available...but some people are also tired of staying indoors for months, and want to get out...so we'll try to accommodate as many as we safely can.
Your understanding and cooperation is needed.
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For this trip, a $30 contribution is appreciated (per person/adult). Any who attended a past trip or volunteered with me can contribute less, like $20 - 25.
Kids are usually free. *
Some other camping events on Meetup might prohibit kids. I admire parents who introduce their child(ren) to the outdoors and respect parents who encourage kids to take a break from tv, video games, phones, computers, etc..
So parents and kids are welcome to join.
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Hiking is a popular group activity.
However, if hiking doesn't interest you, feel free to do something else.
Bring a book to read.
If you're artistic, bring art supplies and draw/paint.
If you have a novel, screenplay, biography, or poem to write, find a relaxing area and enjoy nature while you compose something.
If you are spiritual or stressed from work / life, find a scenic & peaceful spot, and do some yoga, meditation, or introspection.
Hiking is not required nor expected.
You choose what you want to do.
Some people might want to hike a lot or do another sweaty, physical activity. And some might want a casual, lazy, and relaxing weekend.
It's up to you.
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––– Important for new, first-timers –––
You are busy, and your time is limited...
...but this section is worth reading.
A weekend camping trip is different from other events that meet at a restaurant, bar, movie theater, museum, bowling alley, etc...
People are hundreds of miles away from home, and often far from a Walmart, Target, Walgreens, hospital, etc...
...so that's one of various reasons why our event descriptions tend to be long and detailed.
Another reason is I'm sometimes picky.
My preference is to have small-to-medium size groups.
And oftentimes, we have more people who want to go than space is available.
So the long, detailed descriptions are intended to provide helpful & relevant info, but also to weed/filter some out.
Our desire is to have a group of friendly people who are prepared, equipped, self-sufficient, and serious about attending.
Believe it or not, many people thank me during and after our trips end. Apparently, some have a positive and enjoyable experience.
My response is it's the people who go that make the trip fun.
It's a group collaboration and team effort.
The majority of participants are social, friendly, open to making new friends, and willing to hike together, share food together, and help each other.
If you don't believe me, check our photos from previous trips:
LA group - https://www.meetup.com/LA_Camping/events/239368546
OC group - https://www.meetup.com/OC_Camping/events/239368574
Another important thing to know:
I'm not a professional organizer, expert camping trip planner, nor group hike leader.
Some analogies are:
-
a bouncer at a club who screens & checks people before allowing them to enter
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an admissions officer at a college/university who approves or rejects student applications
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a Human Resources manager who decides who to hire
-
TSA security agent at an airport
In all these examples, most people don't become friends with them.
Once you enter a nightclub, you dance with other people inside the club. You don't dance with the bouncer.
Once you get into a college/university, you choose which classmates to be friends with. You don't hang out with the admissions officer.
Once you start a new job, you choose which co-workers to be friends with. You normally don't spend time with anyone from HR.
If there is a serious problem/conflict, then sure, maybe the bouncer/security guard or HR official steps in and intervenes, but for the most part, there is limited interaction.
Before a camping trip starts, I'm busy coordinating and communicating with various people, answering questions, facilitating carpooling arrangements, providing relevant info & details, so that everybody is prepared for the trip and ready to go.
But once a trip starts (after you enter the club, get accepted into college, start a new job), then my role is diminished.
Oftentimes, I just want to relax. I want some peace & quiet. So sometimes I hike by myself. I always try to meet everyone and chit chat a little, but sometimes I'm exhausted and stressed, that I need some alone time to unwind.
Therefore, I don't lead group hikes or group activities. Of course, I'll share recommendations and provide tips/advice on various hikes/activities, but sometimes I'm stressed & tired and do my own thing.
Our group usually has smart and experienced people, so we rarely ever have a problem with group activities, and many people can find others to hike with or hang out with.
Last year, at least 3 trips, I stayed up until 1 or 2 am, waiting for people to arrive. One trip, someone got a flat tire, and arrived the next morning, and while some wanted me to join them for hiking, I stayed at the campsite and waited for the person with the fixed tire to arrive. Earlier this year, someone who needed a tent, arrived around 2:40 am, and I stayed up, (no problem, I'm happy to help...but I was so tired in the morning, I couldn't go hiking with the rest of the group).
I'm not complaining...I'm merely explaining, that once a trip starts, I tend to be stressed and tired, so I'm sometimes unavailable...but other group members step up, and they are very friendly, helpful, and proficient at bringing people together for hiking, meals, bonfire, etc.
So if you're brand new to our trips, I feel it's important to disclose this...and you should know this before deciding to join our trip or not.
What makes our group trips awesome...is the group members...not me.
You will enjoy meeting them...not me.
Other people/groups plan trips costing $60 - $100+, so their trips are probably professionally organized, and way better than our trip.
If you need someone to hold your hand, babysit you, or coddle you...then this trip is not for you.
Other groups plan bigger & better trips that you might enjoy more.
But if you are friendly, open-minded, flexible, and willing to meet some nice and fun people, then our group trips attract several quality individuals, so you have an opportunity to have an exciting weekend in a beautiful environment.
Here's a link to the Google Doc that will have more info/details, and should scare most new people away:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FwdlSDFCyCXKV8T4XOQoBhmYXBUNBJZCLEXT2GReGEk
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I'm not a mind-reader, so if anyone is seriously interested in attending, please contact me directly (message me via Meetup) with a quick message to inquire about the trip.
If using the Meetup app on your phone, look under Attendees, and tap on wise|man.
If using a computer / laptop, you can also look under Attendees for my profile/account, or you can go directly to
https://www.meetup.com/LA_Camping/members/69743242
or
https://www.meetup.com/OC_Camping/members/69743242
and click on "message" and answer the following:
(1) Do you understand coronavirus / COVID-19 is contagious and highly transmissible? Do you understand many health/medical experts believe those who are obese, older/elderly, are immunocompromised, and/or have comorbidities are more susceptible to serious health issues & complications, such as death? If you have bad health, a weak immune system, or a chronic disease such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, lung or asthma problems, atherosclerosis, or any other health issue, please consult with your doctor or healthcare provider. I don't want to discriminate anyone for their age or health, but staying at home might be safer for you. Thank you.
(2) Are you an essential worker? Do you live with anyone who is? What have you been doing for the past few weeks/months? Other than going out for food or exercising around your neighborhood, have you gone anywhere else? If yes, where and when/how often?
(3) In other words, have you mostly stayed at home (self-quarantine and isolation), or have you been going out? Whenever you left your home, did you wear a mask? Have you been exposed to large groups/crowds?
(4) Have you been exposed to anyone who is sick or tested positive for COVID-19? For 2-3 weeks prior to this trip, can you abstain from going to any bar, restaurant, gym, protest, and any other indoor gathering that is not work-related nor essential (church or religious gathering, party, etc.) ? Basically, can you please avoid getting sick / infected?
(5) Do you understand we cannot promise nor guarantee a coronavirus-free environment? We don't know nor can control if other attendees, other campers at the campground, previous person who used the restroom before you, someone you walk by on a hiking trail, etc. is infected/contagious.
(6) If our small group trip has room for you, do you plan on bringing and wearing a mask? Would you wear a mask while at the campground?
(7) Can you bring your own cleaning & disinfectant supplies (e.g. alcohol-based, bleach, or Lysol spray or wipes, paper towels, wet naps/baby wipes, hand sanitizer, soap, etc.) ?
(8) If you feel sick or experience any symptom (e.g. fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.) or any other unusual irregularity or symptom, do you agree to voluntarily not attend this trip, or if after the trip begins, you start to feel sick after arriving, then you will leave immediately? In other words, will you do your part to make sure nobody is exposed or infected by you?
(9) Did you read this Google Doc?
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FwdlSDFCyCXKV8T4XOQoBhmYXBUNBJZCLEXT2GReGEk
(10) Do you want to drive or ride with someone else? If you can drive others, how many passengers can you accommodate? Please keep in mind space for backpacks, camping gear (tents, sleeping bags, etc.), food/cooler, clothes, etc.
It's totally fine if you want to drive alone/solo. My sense is most/all will want to drive separately, but sometimes people don't have a car or some drivers don't want to go alone. I'm merely asking in case anyone is comfortable with carpooling. If you're a driver, you'll have 100% decision-making ability in who rides with you. In other words, you can decide/choose if someone else goes with you or not.
(11) What day & time do you want to leave SoCal? What city/area are you leaving from?
(12) Have you camped before? Do you have your own camping gear (e.g. tent, sleeping bag, mat/pad/cot, etc.) ?
(13) Do you understand you are responsible for bringing / buying your own food?
(14) Do you understand parking space is limited? If you want to drive, are you okay with parking in an overflow parking lot or elsewhere?
(15) Do you understand space is limited and not all who RSVP'ed can attend? Why would you be a good addition to our group trip?
(16) What activity are you interested in doing?
(17) What is your personality like? Can you get along with others (new people)? Are you friendly with diverse individuals of different demographics (e.g. age, ethnicity, background, lifestyle, politics, religion, socioeconomic status, etc.)?
(18) Do you understand we can't control the weather? Do you understand it might get cold at night and in the early morning?
(19) Can you let me know if you want to bring a pet/dog, child/minor, or guest/friend?
(20) Do you understand Wiseman is not your tour guide, babysitter, waiter, maid, servant, or employee?
(21) Do you understand and accept if you do/say anything inappropriate, disrespectful, offensive, illegal, egregious, and/or annoying, you will be asked to leave, and you will comply?
(22) Do you understand and accept you are responsible for your safety, yourself, all your belongings/property, and anyone (pet/dog, child, friend/guest, etc.) you bring, and you will not hold anyone else (i.e. Wiseman) liable nor responsible for anything that happens to you, your body/health, your possessions, and/or anyone you bring, and do you agree and accept section 6 of Meetup's TOS? -
(23) If you're female, can you let me know if any guy harasses you or makes you feel unsafe/uncomfortable?
(24) If you're male and we've never met, can you send a selfie/photo of yourself holding a piece of paper with my name (Wiseman), your full name, and the date to wisejunkemail@gmail.com or text it to 424-246-6042 ?
(25) If you're male and we've never met, when we meet at the campground, can you show me your Driver's License ?
FAQ
Q: Why don’t you ask women to send a photo?
A: Because I’m sexist. After 40+ camping trips of encountering hundreds of people, I don’t remember any woman harassing a man, but a few men have bothered women, so now I take extra precaution with just guys.
Q: Why do you want to see a guy's Driver's License?
A: Similar to a bartender/server/bouncer checking ID when someone enters a bar or buys alcohol; or some store cashiers check ID when a customer uses a credit card, I want to confirm names. This is my way of deterring bad guys from using fake names. Sorry, but believe it or not, some creepy guys are out there...so this should discourage some weird dudes from attending. Thank you for understanding and cooperating. We want this to be a safe trip for all women and men.
If anybody is new to camping and doesn’t have some camping gear/equipment, or wants help coordinating carpooling, just lmk.
After messaging me your answers, and if I feel okay about you attending, then a $30 contribution will be collected via Paypal, Venmo, or Zelle. Those who attended a past trip or volunteered with me can contribute less, like $20 - 25.
More info on the campsite & final details will be sent to those who confirmed & donated.
Money collected will help with Meetup fees and group supplies/expenses incurred for this trip.
Leftover money will be used for planning future trips and also to buy some items to help a few homeless individuals.
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Examples of recommended items to bring:
Face mask / covering
Disinfectant spray/wipes, cleaning supplies, paper towels, toilet paper, etc.
Sleeping bag (or bed sheet & blanket)
Pillow
Sleeping pad / mat or air mattress
Tent
Tarp, stakes, guy lines, and rain fly for tent
Appropriate clothes, socks, & shoes
Sweater/Jacket or blanket just in case it gets cold at night
Toothbrush, toothpaste, & other hygiene items / toiletries
Lip balm / chapstick
Hand sanitizer or baby wipes / wet naps
Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat
Earplugs
Flashlight / Headlamp / Lantern
Portable chair
Cell phone charger cable (car adapter) or portable charger
Water (or water filter)
Water bottles or hydration pack
Food (and cookware)
Music or games
First aid kit & whistle
Misc items (e.g. bowl, cooking utensils, cup, eating utensils, foil, napkins, paper towels, plate, trash bags, ziploc bags, etc.)
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/family-camping-checklist.html
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- Some other camping events in other Meetup groups might prohibit kids. I admire parents who introduce their child(ren) to the outdoors and respect parents who encourage kids to take a break from tv, video games, phones, computers, social media, internet, etc.
So parents and kids are welcome to join.
I usually ask for a payment per adult, so kids who attend are free. As long as there’s space/room at the campsite, and your child genuinely wants to attend, and it’s not a large # of kids (boys/girls scouts, youth group, your child's sports teammates, etc.).
Some people don’t want kids to attend, but I try to be cool, understanding, and supportive of parents. However, we want to avoid a situation where a kid is dragged to camping trip and doesn’t want to be there (foul/negative mood, tantrum, drama, crying, etc.)...so thank you for your cooperation.
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https://www.tastecooking.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/shutterstock_1127853005.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/0c/8a/a5/0c8aa5d864f0ace7184137f0c81b77d7.jpg
https://santabarbaraca.com/content/uploads/2015/08/santa-barbara-waterfront-harbor-jsinclair-1.jpg
https://gettingontravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/photo-Hotel-Californian-759x444.jpg
Photo Source/Credit: California Beaches, Getting on Travel, Golden Horizon Tours, Pinterest, Solvang USA, Taste, Visit California, & Visit Santa Barbara
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