Roaming the open spaces of Santa Barbara

ARROYO HONDO PRESERVE, Calif. — A creeks cuts out of the Santa Ynez Mountains about 25 miles west of Santa Barbara. It follows a tight canyon from grass-covered foothills to the sea, passing an old adobe underneath a giant eucalyptus and grapevines planted when California was part of Mexico. There's the smell of sage. Deep quiet. Wind in the leaves.

By Susan Spano

January 6, 2013