santa barbara

: bougainvillea :

i had hoped to stay in one special place during our 5-week journey cross-country, some sort of boutique hotel in an idyllic spot or charming town during the NC to CA leg of our trip. just a little break from the super 8s. something that would bring at least a night of vacation into our semi-grueling journey from east to west coast. but resources & the desire to simply make it to cali, as quickly, cheaply, and effortlessly as possible, prevented us from doing so.

but one thing we have been learning about on this trip is God's provision. and His plans to provide things for us as gifts, if we don't get ahead of Him, trying to provide things for ourselves, acting in impatience. not only has God provided countless little things for us on this journey, but yes, even sort of a boutique hotel stay. and for two nights, not just one.

the guy hosting the santa barbara show was house-sitting for some oil industry millionaires (he pointed out their rigs, six miles off shore, from the front balcony). he asked the owners, and they were fine having us house-sit for him for those two days we were in town. so josh, heron, and i enjoyed two nights in a villa in the hills of montecito (one of the wealthiest communities in the country, apparently), overlooking the ocean. a pool + hot tub + sauna + firepit + outdoor fireplace + amazing kitchen + ripe tomatoes in the garden + a freezer full of ice cream!


when we first saw our accomodations, having turned down the option of a host-home in favor of privacy, we were a bit startled. it was SO nice, and our lack of desire for riches made us feel uncomfortable. a bit guilty even, when josh is singing songs like "zion and babylon". but we prayed about it, and were soon able to simply accept it as a gift & enjoy God's kindness.

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heron is rapidly accumulating material for her first book, entitled, "bathrooms i've slept in: my life as the daughter of a traveling musician." here's the luxurious bathroom she slept in during our montecito stay. three shower heads to choose from! a heated rack for towels!

: josh enjoying coffee at the outdoor den + fireplace :

: flying around the spacious kitchen :

: living room + mitchy self-portrait :