Road trip! Solvang, CA (July 12-13)

There's a little town about 3 hours north of us called Solvang.  It was founded in 1911 by a group of Danes who traveled to the west when they wanted to establish a Danish community far from the winters of the Midwest.  Solvang began its development as a themed town when it attracted national media attention in 1947.  So we figured it would be a fun little overnight trip.  I wish I took a better photo of this, but Graham rolled up his clothes in the suitcase.  How funny!

Almost never a road trip without snacks!  We're still making Graham patch his eye occasionally:

The funny sights when you see on the road - Chewbacca tied to the back of the windshield wiper??!

I'm glad our portable DVD player is still working.  It has definitely paid of itself after all these years:

A little change in scenery from the Pacific Coast Highway:

We get to Solvang in time for a late lunch.  I'm glad we got to this place because it was closing as we were finishing up:

The boys shared a Belgium waffle.  Nothing like putting syrup in every little square of that waffle!

I think Charlie's face says it all... YUMMM!!!  The Danish pancakes were yummy too by the way!

The only issue I had was just these big trucks/vehicles that were going on this same road.  Looking at the map, it seems that it's one way in and one way out of this place.  Oh well!

And there were all these cute little vehicles for rent.  We didn't get one since we had the car.  Plus our motel was within walking distance of the main street:

Graham and Charlie are trying to "lift" the windmill :-)

We finally made it here!  I've been wanting to visit Solvang for a while now:

There were these horse-drawn trams that went around the city.  We decided to skip it and just walk around on our own:

Water break!

Check in was so easy. And the motel's bedding was so cute:

Time for a little snack - can't leave Solvang without having a Danish pastry and some other yummies:

I guess everyone loved it :-D

After taking a little break in the room, we head out on our little adventure around the town.  Looks like a good spot for breakfast tomorrow:

Some interesting history around here:

I believe this Atterdag Square is to commemorate Valdemar Atterdag, who was the king of Denmark (1340-75):

And here are the founders of Solvang:

By the way, Solvang means "sunny fields" in Danish:

One of the stores had this Lego man by its window.  Of course I had them pose in front of it:

And it also seemed that so many stores were hiring!  I'm guessing a lot of people were laid off during the peak of Covid and now the stores are hiring again as more people are traveling:

Got to have the family we-fie in front of the windmill.  I'm just going to have to pretend that we are in Denmark :-P

We had some time to just visit the grounds of Mission Santa Ines:

These long wood-beamed corridors and arches seems to be a theme of Missions:

And there are always bells!

So beautiful out here:

Okay, time to go hit the shops.  I'm surprised the boys were very patient with me while I looked in a clothing store.  Ha ha!

I love the brick structure of this building.  Although I don't think those bells work:

Time for dinner!  The portions are so huge at this Italian restaurant!

Thankfully our motel was just a little wedge shot from the restaurant.  And how funny are these two little stuffed animals. Looks like they made the trip too!  Charlie calls the left one Leo and the right one Mr Sparkly Face, if I'm not mistaken.  Ha ha!

The next day, we walk over to the pancake house across the street.  Except it is super busy!  So... Graham and I walk over to another restaurant back across the street again and find this other restaurant.  Ahhhh, nice and quiet although our breakfast is probably going to cost 2 to 3x more expensive.  But Charlie is happy with his cast iron pancake!

Charlie's meal was probably the most expensive because he also ordered a side of eggs and a side of bacon with his fancy skillet pancake.  Ha!  

Yummy in my tummy!

I mean, look how delicious that looks:

Happy bellies and safe from not having to be over-exposed with so many people at a packed pancake house!

After breakfast, we decided to walk over to the Elverhoj Museum:

It is built in a style that is popular based on large farmhouses in the 18th century Denmark. Unfortunately, it is closed on Tuesday!!!  But at least we got to see its nice fancy door:

And look at this fancy dragon signage.  Too cool!

So maybe we'll come back??!  Anyway, time to leave Solvang.  We headed to a small town nearby called Los Olivos.  Looks like it's wine country around here:

Scare crows!

Almost every restaurant here is a wine-tasting one. We did find this huge lemon stall though!  I did see this same lemon stand in a magazine and supposedly you can rent it.  I wonder how much lemonade you have to sell in order to break even on the rental fee.  Hmmm....

Another family we-fie!

I'm not exactly sure what this building is for.  Water on the top, storage at the bottom? Sort of cute though:

Okay, quick ice cream and we are off for home.  Halfway through and there are people para-gliding by the hills near the freeway.  Yikes!

Fog in the middle of the afternoon??!

There's rows and rows of these white covered "something".  Still have no idea what they are:

One boy down!

Two boys down!!!

Well, another successful trip.  Glad we are able to tick Solvang off our to-visit list.  And I scored myself a fancy pair of leather shoes :-D

And also a metal Welcome sign.  Love it!

I'm so far behind updating my blog.  Next one should be our trip to San Diego.  More adventures to come! :-)