I am sitting at the desk of my mother’s hotel room downtown at the West Beach Inn on Cabrillo Blvd.

Not a bad little place – nothing flashy – but great location and cozy. She has a room with a semi-private garden, which I really like as a place to chat and have a cocktail (see photo below).

Last night we walked across the street to the harbor and ate at Brophy Brothers.

I’ve been before, but only for lunch, so we decided to give the dinner menu a try.

The harbor last night was beautiful, very peaceful and calm and it was really pleasant walking along the water and looking at all the boats. It made me think about Lolita and how happy I am I bought her.

I think I am going to save the review for my story on Santa Barbara for GoNOMAD. I knew there were reasons that I usually only stop in for a beer, chowder (best in town) and the occasional appetizer (Garlic Baked Clams are amazing) – and those reasons became very clear last night.

We did have an awfully nice bottle of Syrah from Summerwood Winery in Paso Robles – a place I stopped on my way back from Hearst Castle.

It is a beautiful day today in Santa Barbara.

Thank God – last time she visited it rained for five straight days.