A few weeks ago we had lunch with our friends Spencer and Margaret in Paso Robles, CA. Paso has the best of both worlds. You have just exited the most soporific road trips through the hills past Kettleman City. Unless I’m driving, I sleep through these hills.
Wake up! We’re going to Paso! Actually this is leaving Paso, so don’t be confused by where the mountains are. I just wanted you to see how boring it is.
El Paso del Robles, passage of the Oaks, is an old western town dividing the two worlds, the desert heat of the Kettleman City hills and the Tulare Lake Basin, and the Central Coast beginning with San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, Avila Beach, and ending with Nipomo before you move into Santa Barbara County.
Paso Robles Inn, built in 1891.
Once you get to the Paso Robles Inn, you can begin to see the charm of Paso Robles. You still have the heat of the valley, but a half hour away, you have the coolness of the ocean breeze with the flavor of the Old Wild West. I took this picture on April 1st, an unusually cloudy day in Paso. I darkened the picture even a little more to add Leanne-style drama. I found that if you darken the layer too much, the sky pixelates. So I used the burn tool. I don’t like that quite as much because I don’t paint evenly, and I’m not sure if streaks are in style. I like them in my hair. 
The front of the Inn looks western and old, but the real beauty lies in the back, in my opinion. I darkened this one, too. Maybe I’m just in a dark mood. I’m sitting in the dark right now looking out at the Los Angeles skyline from my 14th floor picture window. But let’s get back to Paso.
While we waited for Spencer and Margaret, we snapped some pictures. You can see the covered front porch. This is handy in the hot sun. It wasn’t so necessary on the day we were there. I tried a couple of things with this picture. I added a golden filter, then I made it black and white. Which one do you like best?
So the Inn is in the back. The restaurant is good. You get lots of food, but to me the real benefit is the setting. Unfortunately for us that day, there was a party out in the back. So we had to eat outside. We ate just as much either way.
You knew I’d sneak into the picture somewhere, didn’t you?
Beneath the beautiful fountain, they grew some of their vegetables. I doubt that they used very many of them. Maybe they had some others hidden away somewhere.
I am always fascinated by flowing water and fish and bridges. Which rocks do you like best, darkened or unprocessed? It’s the perfect place for a wedding, and here I am already married. Maybe Vince will propose to me again. xoxox
Don’t they look famous with their sunglasses?
Our friends arrived, then lunch came with sweet potato fries (my current favorite thing), and all too quickly it was time to go back home again. With a full tummy, my mouth gaping open, snoring loudly, Vince’s bride slept her way through the boring trip home.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzz glub, glu zzzzzzzzzzz
Another successful Valleycation. 🙂
Love that part of Ca! So beautiful up there.
LikeLike
Thanks! 🙂
LikeLike
Square tiles work better than circles and icons. Just FYI in my opinion! 🙂
LikeLike
I’m a sucker for B&W pictures, so that one gets my vote!
We do ‘staycations’ too!
LikeLike
They ARE fun!!!
LikeLike
I’m impressed with your editing attempt a la Leanne! Well done.
LikeLike
Thanks Carol! It was fun!
LikeLike
Sounds like another lovely outing. If you learn to knit, it passes the time in the car!
LikeLike
I do knit. I’d rather sleep! I don’t sleep we’ll at night. So when I ride, nothing keeps me awake if I’m really tired! Poor Vince!
LikeLike
I’m a B&W sucker too but I do like the gold filter very much.
LikeLike
Thanks. I do too. Who knew?!
LikeLike
Lovely post …. and a good meal in great company is priceless … and great surroundings too. I’m a color person … so I like the photo from the left best. *smile.
LikeLike
Hi, Smiles to you, too! I do love color, but I was really proud of myself trying new things!
LikeLike
M favorite photo is the one of the rolling hills.
I think the three photos you ask about create different “ways of seeing.” To me, B&W focus on the shapes and a different perspective of standard surroundings. I visited an Ansel Adams exhibit recently, and the B&W way of “seeing” the world is stunning in the hands of a dark room master. For me, the golden filter tends to evoke a “warm” feeling toward the contents of the photo, and the straight shot shows the world “as it is.”
LikeLike
Hello Marsha 😉 I just had to give you a little compliment for old times sake! I nominated you for the ‘Versatile Blogger Award’. More info here; http://teacheranaesl.wordpress.com/2013/05/06/versatile-blogger-award/. It has been a joy following your blog! 🙂
LikeLike
Aren’t you the sweetie pie? Thanks so much!
LikeLike
You are very welcome Marsha 😉
LikeLike
It is always lovely to see Manny’s picture on the left, every time I visit your blog. Your pictures are lovely too Marsha, but you know I love beautiful Manny. 🙂
LikeLike
Haha. I think he had just finished reading one of your posts with pictures of your teddies when I took that picture. Either that one or the pictures of you dancing! Those big eyes were for you! 😍
LikeLike
Wow I am flattered! 🙂 {blush}
LikeLike
☺ Manny’s blushing, too. He hates when I tell on him!!! 😊
LikeLike
I love the golden touch. It goes with my hair. 🙂 Lovely place to have lunch, Marsha.
LikeLike
It does go with your hair! A touch more red than you have, though!!!😃
LikeLike
Great pictures and a fabulous place to visit. I like the California Golden touch the best – very cool indeed! 😀
LikeLike
Thanks! Isn’t it amazing what a little Photoshopping can do? I finished the Soul Child! Wow! Great ending! I love happy!!!!!!
LikeLike
I’m so glad! 😀
LikeLike
What a gorgeous place, I love places like that, there is always so much photograph. You did a great job Marsha, so is the Leanne-style referring to me?
LikeLike
Of course, Leanne-style is my friend, Leanne Cole! Thanks for the nice compliment.
LikeLike
Hi MVBF Marsha 😀
Is “zzzzzzzzzzzzzz glub, glu zzzzzzzzzzz” a State National Park or are you having one of your turns 😉 Ralph xox 😀
LikeLike
It’s the international password to my next meeting. Wanna come?
LikeLike
On my way !! 😀
LikeLike
Yeah!!! 🙂 Did your ears burn yesterday?
LikeLike
Yep !! Burnt and well and truly slapped 😀
LikeLike
It was all good, Ralph. No slapping involved! Reminds me of a country song that I loved! Just slap me!!! So here’s a slap, since you mentioned it, Ralph!!! 😘
LikeLike
Ouch !! Thanks MVBFM 😀
LikeLike
You’re welcome MFR! Are you awake now? Xoxoxo 😝😜😍
LikeLike
Do I have a choice ?? 😉 xox
LikeLike
Always! 😀
LikeLike
I have so much fun living vicariously through the trips of others, and you didn’t disappoint. 🙂 I love the scenery you slept through. Those rolling hills are beautiful. I really like the golden filter over the covered porch; very nice. I was hungry reading your last post (burger and sweet potato fries), and I hungry here, too – steak!! Yum!!
LikeLike
I do enjoy eating!!! If I really like something – even if it’s not food, it’s yummy, or some other food-appropriate remark. 🙂 Thanks for reading and remarking. 🙂
LikeLike