East Coast/West Coast Vacation V.3:Santa Barbara

One of the main reasons I have wanted to go to California for years is to go to Santa Barbara. Growing up, my dad always shared stories of my Great Grandfather's house here. Dad, Jeff, Kurt and I took a day trip down to dig up some of our roots. Joshua stayed back to lounge at the pool with his cousins.

My great-grandfather, Ray L Skofield, purchased the area known as Rattlesnake Canyon in Santa Barbara. It is now a park and the trails have been maintained and are used frequently. He began building quite a home there but the stock market crash of 1929 halted the construction and sadly, he never did complete it. It must have mostly been completed as the design and layout is much the same with some small additions. The property is amazing with a view of the ocean on one side, rattlesnake canyon on another, and continuing hillside behind. The steep hills all around have development popping up, but it's still very green compared to the hills of Austin. In 1947 my uncle Hobart sold the property to the Holy Cross order of the Episcopalian Church. Today it remains a monastery and retreat house known as Mount Calvary. Brother Lawrence Arms was kind enough to show us around. He told us he was friends with Uncle Hobart so it was fun to hear some new stories about the family and the property. I felt a little sorry that we were trouping around talking among people trying to "retreat" but no one seemed to mind. On our tour we walked past an office and a man was sitting there with traditional monk garb on-I was so surprised and delighted that I was seeing a real monk. Then I realized later in our tour that it was just a hooded brown sweatshirt. Bummer.

Next on our tour de roots was Skofield Park. My great grandfather was a founding member of the Rancheros Vistadores, an elite riding group. The Rancheros began their rides in Skofield Park, then Ray L's land. In the 50's, Uncle Hobart sold the parcel of land to the Rancheros. Once housing began developing in the area, the Ranchero's moved their starting point for their annual ride and donated the land to the city of Santa Barbara; thus yielding Skofield Park. There is a flag pole their dedicated to Ray L. which was fun to see. We had a picnic lunch there and listened to more stories. We looked at the original houses where the family lived that are still remaining today on the road to the park. Dad reminisced about his summers there as a boy. Then we took a little hike up the trail at Rattlesnake Canyon. Fortunately we did not see any rattlesnakes. My dad and grandmother used to ride the trail on horses during their summer visits. The small part we hiked was beautiful. It was nice to be on a real hiking trail rather than the "walking" trails that are found in Central Texas.
We loaded up in the car and drove around a little more. We headed further up hillside past the mission. Talk about winding roads and steep inclines. And the pictures on the news of all the California mudslides kept running through my mind. Thankfully, we finally started heading back down the mountain and into civilization again.

It was a quick trip, but a great day. I thought about what could have been if only the family had held onto the house and the land. But it's great to know that so many people make use of the land and the retreat house. I'm sure not many who visit know the history, but I'm proud of my family for leaving a legacy of memories. For themselves and for the generations of families that will enjoy it in the future. I feel fortunate to have been able to go there with my Dad to narrate. And my brother to pick on. An my husband to hold my hand. Hopefully someday we can take Joshua there and hike up the canyon.
Thanks goes to my brother for the pictures-the settings must have been messed up on my camera that day as all my pictures are tiny.