Day Zero aka day before coffee ride

Today was a bonus day in Santa Barbara for some. We assembled those that got in early and rode a rather peaceful coffee ride up and around Santa Barbara taking in the incredible views and checking the equipment to make sure everything is ready for the main event.

We are staying in the new Hotel Californian, right at the base of State Street in Santa Barbara, steps from the beach. I think the hotel opened less than two weeks ago, and the service is amazingly over the top. They have been really awesome to work with, and the food in the nice restaurant is superlative.

We have our next batch of Train-eees arriving in a few minutes... Speaking of which, poor Mark H got on the longest train ride he's ever taken when their northbound Amtrak struck someone on the tracks and the entire train was on lock down for 5 hours as the authorities investigated the 'crime scene'. Ugh. Tonight, we dine beachside and get introduced to our chef team of Sam and TJ from Powder Mountain Utah. I know they were excited to visit the actual fish boats to buy some fresh fish for tonights bbq. More soon, with pictures.