After waiting nearly, a month for an appointment, last Friday was the date to visit the US Passport Office in Los Olivos California. In my earlier quest to find a place to apply for a new passport this was the closest place I could find that had actual appointments open on a schedule.
Prior to the visit, I had prepared all of the paperwork and had all of the required documents including the confirmation appointment document and two checks. The next question was: Where in the hell is Los Olivos? Google Maps said 85 miles away.
I started my journey at 6AM as there is always highway construction and I was totally unfamiliar with the area. Santa Barbara is but 42 miles north of me using the Highway 101 Freeway. After passing through Santa Barbara, you take exit 101B on to Highway 154 and 43 miles later you are in Los Olivos. Near Santa Barbara there was road construction and slow traffic. Lest we also forget morning rush hour.
It was like a trip to wonderland once on the Hwy 154. It was very scenic drive and a 24-Hour headlight zone for 35 miles coupled with very thick fog. Finally, I arrived in the town some two hours later with two needs: time for a pit stop and a cup of coffee.
Los Olivos had a very small downtown area like maybe three blocks and the Post Office (Passport location) was in a real small building. As I drove the three-block town, I was looking for a McDonalds or 7-11. None to be seen nor any kind of diner. There were many restaurants (upscale) as this was wine country and only open in the evening. Finally, I spotted the Fess Parker Inn (He was a TV star ~ Davy Crockett in the 1950s) where I inquired about some sort of diner -- they said there was only one place and that was in a competitor Inn that had a public dining room. Whew, as I now was at the pain level.
Found the 2nd Inn and the dining room where I ordered a bagel and a cup of coffee -- $14.01. When she handed me my change from a $20 -- my distress must have been apparent as she then said -- the restrooms are over there. Whew! The printed menu listed a light breakfast at a mere $35. Tourist Trap.
My appointment was for 9:30AM and sure enough Suite B was the passport office and the size of a broom closet.
I go into suite B and was asked by the attendant do you have everything, and I replied yes. He looks at my expired passport which would have expired on February 12, 2022, and with the grace period would appear to me that on February 12, 2025, would trigger a new passport versus a renewal. Well, the attendant says you need the renewal form not the new form. He says it is the year not the date. Who am I to question the USPS.
It was also cheaper as I did not have to add the USPS fee. So, we will have to see if that works.
I asked myself had this been 15 years ago when we came back to California would Los Olivos been an area of consideration. That question had two answers: Yes and No. The Yes part was the small town and the opportunity to buy a chunk of land big enough for an antenna farm. The No part was that it lacked sufficient medical facilities for the XYL. Santa Barbara was like 50 miles away and just too far. Today still a No answer as it would be a big hill to climb as it is a little late to start over in a new place.
Tomorrow it is a similar appointment with the DMV as I try to prove who I am so I can get a real ID. That should be fun.
Tune in tomorrow for more exciting adventures as I try to get the documents necessary so in May, I can fly to San Francisco to see my #3 son-- a total of 350 miles. Suddenly, driving there is getting to look better.
Them that know can make it go.
73's
Pete N6QW