The Ojai Chronicles Day 3 (Day 2) (Day 1)By Cousin Kim
Surprising myself after a night of wine and cheese on a lactose intolerant stomach, I awoke in time to join the 7am brisk walk. Once again I duck-walked along the residential street of Ojai with other Oaks guests. This time we took a different route, which afforded us the opportunity to see the house of "the duck lady" or what one walker described as "a cute idea that got way out of hand."
The front yard was littered with every kind of duck imaginable -- from stuffed animals to ceramic specimens; even the mailbox had yellow ducks painted on it!
The front yard was littered with every kind of duck imaginable -- from stuffed animals to ceramic specimens; even the mailbox had yellow ducks painted on it!
Our guide informed us that "the duck lady" had applied for a business license recently to which one walker drably replied, "she probably plans to sell all that crap."
Upon my returning, I met up with Cousin Jana in our room where she'd just exited the shower. The divorced mom of four little ones was watching the film 'A Time to Kill'. Although she left for breakfast, I got so sucked into the movie that I decided to skip the 9:15 am stretch class. Jana's idea of relaxation finally took hold of me as well.
After Jana finished breakfast and the movie concluded, we decided to walk through Ojai's Farmers Market before heading back to LA. We stopped briefly at the lavender table to smell the sachets as we discovered that lavender is a favorite scent for both of us.
Upon my returning, I met up with Cousin Jana in our room where she'd just exited the shower. The divorced mom of four little ones was watching the film 'A Time to Kill'. Although she left for breakfast, I got so sucked into the movie that I decided to skip the 9:15 am stretch class. Jana's idea of relaxation finally took hold of me as well.
After Jana finished breakfast and the movie concluded, we decided to walk through Ojai's Farmers Market before heading back to LA. We stopped briefly at the lavender table to smell the sachets as we discovered that lavender is a favorite scent for both of us.
We salivated to the smells of homemade tamales, cookies, and pies but did not give into temptation. Our last stop was a feature of the market I'd never seen before--a booth with bowls and kitchen utensils made from very strong bamboo.
Deciding not to transport any fresh fruits and vegetables for our ninety mile drive home, we headed back to the Oaks to settle our bill. We said goodbye to the wonderful staff and I headed out to warm up the car while Jana purchased some agave nectar from the gift shop.
As we rode highway 33 heading toward home, I felt a sense of remorse pulling at my heart. "Ojai is a hard place to leave", I confided to my girl. Jana thanked me for driving her up there and promised to do more activities next time. I contemplated how at 36 and 40 years old we are no longer kids, but we will always be connected by our childhood experiences. The weekend gave me a chance to get to know my "little cousin" as the wonderful, strong, beautiful Black woman she has grown to be.
For that, I am eternally grateful to my magical home away from home Ojai, California.
Deciding not to transport any fresh fruits and vegetables for our ninety mile drive home, we headed back to the Oaks to settle our bill. We said goodbye to the wonderful staff and I headed out to warm up the car while Jana purchased some agave nectar from the gift shop.
As we rode highway 33 heading toward home, I felt a sense of remorse pulling at my heart. "Ojai is a hard place to leave", I confided to my girl. Jana thanked me for driving her up there and promised to do more activities next time. I contemplated how at 36 and 40 years old we are no longer kids, but we will always be connected by our childhood experiences. The weekend gave me a chance to get to know my "little cousin" as the wonderful, strong, beautiful Black woman she has grown to be.
For that, I am eternally grateful to my magical home away from home Ojai, California.