Bike ride to Ojai and Vegan food at Hip
There is an amazing bike path from Ventura to Ojai. You don’t have to mess with cars, it’s an old train track converted into a bike path. It’s beautiful, relaxing, and there are some awesome vegan options once you get to Ojai, including an awesome all vegan restaurant called Hip. The bike ride is about 15 miles each way and you can expand the ride into the hills if you are inclined.
My brother Kyle on the left, Eric Baxter in the middle and Alicia Westgerdes on the right.
The best part of the ride was the fact that there is a decent section of the bike path that is shut down until the late spring of 2012. We had to cross several fences and hike for a while, it was well worth the fun.
Here is my beautiful Rivendell Rambouillet bicycle. It’s definitely one of the best investments I have made. Rivendell is a really cool company, their bikes aren’t cheap but they’re handmade to last a lifetime. They also sell vegan bags under the name “Brand V”. I was also able to find a vegan version of the famous Brooks Saddle. It’s not made by Brooks but it’s more comfortable and it’s currently on sale for $15, awesome.
Baxter and Alicia ride Rivendell’s as well. Their bikes are just okay though.
I mentioned that part of the bike path was temporarily closed. Yes we had to cross a stream.
It’s my turn to cross.
Epic Adventure.
This is the kind of sign that makes me cry with joy.
Wait, which way do I go?
Root beer floats and chocolate shakes. This place rocks. And there is nothing like good food after going on a bike ride.
Green drinks for Baxter and Alicia.
I often rearrange my food for photos.
I had the reuben which came with chips and a bowl of vegetable soup.
I love thinly sliced seitan.
Baxter and Alicia both got flat tires. Are they rookies, is it their white tires or are they crazy off-roaders??? We’ll never know.
And on the way home we stopped at Red Brick Pizza and got a vegan pizza with Daiya cheese. The end.
Our first stop once we hit NYC was 
I ordered the vegan heart attack. Homemade Burger w/ Soy Bacon, Soy Cheese, Lettuce, Pickle, Tomato, Red Onion & Vegan Mayo 7.75 
And we all split the Disco Fries. These puppies are sitting in a bowl of the tastiest cheesy gravy. It’s hard to see just how much but it was a lot, look to the lower right. Disco Fries- Gravy & Cheese 4.50
My sister Amy and I. She lives only a few blocks away. Lucky.
Bundling up in NY. It wasn’t too cold in December, 30’s to 40’s F.
Sometimes nothing beats bagels and coffee in the subway.
We even went tailgating. Something I’ve enjoyed doing since I was a little kid. Grilling and hanging out.
Mushroom Burgers. Easy.
My aunt recently rescued this really cool dog Capone.
Alix got her hair curled by my cousin Killian.
I had to go kind of minimal on the food even though my relatives had made me quite a feast. I was a tiny bit sick on Christmas.
We’re now headed from the countryside back to NYC. Moo Shoes is on the top of our list and I never visit NYC without stopping in.
I got these boots for hiking. I love them.
I think it’s pretty obvious that Lula’s is off the charts.
Cake batter soft serve with marshmallow topping.
Just hours after purchasing, my new boots are in action.
Yes we went crazy, but this is what we do. Here we are at 
We’d been dying to go to Champs but they were closed this day. Maybe it’s vegan Karma but we walked into Second Stop a block away and they had tasty vegan options. You can’t mess with a NYC bagel and vegan cream cheese. I guess I’ll start making some.
Okay this is the place my sister Amy has been raving about for a very long time. It’s a vegan bakery, it’s a vegan diner and it’s everything we could of wished for.
The monte friggin cristo. One of the craziest, tastiest sandwiches I have eaten. French toast with vegan cheese, and veggie ham. Simple, crazy, and delicious.
This was also a very awesome benedict.
And my sister swears by the moons over my shammy. I’m so getting this next time.
And yes it’s a vegan bakery. I said that already.
New York has got my eye again. Los Angeles has been on my top vegan food place in the world for several years now. But oh how excited I will be for my future trips to NYC. Los Angeles, New York City & Portland oh how I love you. Insider tips: share meals, take home left overs, ride your bike, walk around.
Cheezy Biscuit from 
We then took a tiny rental car up to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania for our annual trip to Vegan Treats HQ. 
It’s so beautiful in Pennsylvania. I love all the trees and the old stone buildings.
Check out Alix’s 
We made a few stops along the way to Vegan Treats, first to the blacksmith. Unfortunately this was the blacksmith’s last day on the job. He quit while we were there after some ladies came and talked to him. We’re so very curious of what happened.
Here is some of his work.
We made it to Vegan Treats.
Oh Vegan Treats we need you in Los Angeles. 
This is just hands down one of the coolest costumes I have ever seen. Recently Deceased from Beetlejuice. It’s so fun and so cool and she won the contest. Hooray! And yes, there was seriously an all Vegan Halloween Party at Verdugo Bar last night. I didn’t know what to expect. It was amazingly fun.
Earlier in the day Mochi was working on her Halloween stare.
7 Yards of Velvet to make my amazing cape. I can’t believe Alix made it Friday night, it’s so awesome. Watching An American Werewolf in London (1981).
Here is my cape in its final form.
Twice Baked treats are really good. I wish I got more.
There was also super awesome empanadas from 
Vegan Police were on the scene.
Vegan Zombie Brains. Deep fried Mac & Cheese balls. And a witches finger = jackfruit taquito. I voted for Frankenstein. Who did you vote for?
It’s time for the costume contest.
The two costume contest winners. Recently Deceased (left) and Mommy Dearest (right)
What is life without Seabirds? A very sad life, we love them.
Beer Battered Avocado Tacos.
And Frankenstand is the coolest. They had a new item on the menu. Keep your eyes peeled.
It’s crazy Halloween isn’t even until tomorrow. So much fun festivities to still do. Have a fun and amazing Halloween and don’t forget to support and love your local vegan pals.
