The morning starts with a detour for the roads blocked off for a race. The Ojai Marathon has no stragglers, and we park at The Dutchess for some coffee and breakfast to go.
My Cappuccino is correct, pretty foam over an espresso that is smooth, not bitter.
A splendid slab of toast touts the Veggie Croque Monsieur, a mix of cheeses both creamy and chewy-crust covered with the juiciest mushrooms. The overall flavor carries a garlic savor that’s beautifully bold.
Switching to the sweets, and the first amazing-looking thing I see is a Sticky Toffee Date Muffin. That crumbly top is crusty, and there is a harmony in the simultaneously sweet and sticky notes of toffee with gooey dates.
The Passion Fruit Chiffon Cake is as airy as the name would suggest, with prominent sweet-tart notes.
Their seasonal Crumb Cake has chunks of gooey fall fruit combined with a moist crumble that is absolute perfection.
Post breakfast takes us to Santa Barbara, with a stop at the Alice Keck Memorial Garden.
The beauty is indescribable, with a center pond full of turtles and ducks.
My personal favorite was this tree of trumpet flowers.
Lots to see and lots to do, a veritable wonderland for a toddler.
There’s a beautiful playground across the street, but nap time takes priority. We do, however, stop for some street eats.
Two similar stands sit right at the entrance of the park, and Ed and I devour our Elote (con todo, of course). Even the world’s pickiest toddler tears the kernals off an entire ear of corn.
We get a bag of ripe mango with chamoy for later, but that doesn’t last long either.
The day ends with trying to catch one of Ojai’s famous pink sunsets.
No pink but I’ll take any sunset with so much beauty.
This Cinnamon Raisin Loaf by Kate’s Bread is dinner for four as we spread on some cheese and devour every slice.
The crust has a crunch like music and the chewy yet impossibly pliable core is like plush. The finish is a finale of sweet and gooey raisins.
Every day is perfect in this place. The house, the mountains, the view from the valley. Best of all…the bread.
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