Buellton, California

Every since I was a young teen, I was obsessed with Buellton California. Its a very long story as to how I came to be obsessed, and that will probably be the subject of a future book. The real quick version is this: For a 2 year period of time in the 1970s, Mom would throw my younger siblings and me in the car and we would head north on Highway 101 for a nice 8 hour drive. Just about every weekend. So, a little past Santa Barbara, I would start noticing roadside teases, inviting the driver to stop at Buellton for some hot Pea Soup at Pea Soup Andersen's. The signs were like the old Burma-shave ads. Those signs, with the big guy and the little guy, splitting peas, invited weary drivers to stop off at Buellton, and enjoy a bowl of famous split pea soup. I would always ask mom if we could stop and try the soup, and mom always said, "Maybe next time." Next time never came on those 1974-75 road trips.  But when we drove up to Cal Poly, I finally was able to stop and have my bowl of Andersen's Pea Soup. It took about 35 years, but it finally happened.  Patience is a virtue.