The beauty of the Santa Barbara coastline and its marvelous weather are celebrated, and the Department of Geography duly celebrated its end of spring quarter by hosting a barbecue at Goleta Beach on June 8. Blue skies, balmy weather, a green lawn to frolic on, and white beach sand to play in— what could be better? Well, add yummies roasting on a barbecue, attitude-adjusting drinks, sumptuous pot luck donations, and a gregarious gathering of good friends of Geography, and you’re getting close to the real picture. Speaking of which, the pictures are worth more than the words–so check out what it was all about on our Event Photos web page.
The centerpiece of the barbecue was, of course, the barbecuing, and Professor Dan Montello worked his usual magic with chicken, Portobello mushrooms, and his famous tri tip. A keg of good ale and an excellent selection of wines was a major attraction, and a multiplicity of homemade dishes donated by participants topped off a major culinary treat. Beach volleyball gave those interested a chance to burn calories, but the majority of folks—including senior undergrads, grads, staff, researchers, and faculty—simply enjoyed intermingling and socializing.
The culminating event of the day was the presentation of a Departmental present to Professor Mike Goodchild who will be retiring in July. Mike will be sorely missed, and, as the sun began to sink over the Pacific after another beautiful day, Geography personnel were reminded of how fortunate they are to have had mentors like Mike and other UCSB giants of Geography who have made our Department arguably the best in the world—and to be able to celebrate that fact by breaking bread with one another in such an idyllic location.
Editor’s note: Photos by Bill Norrington and Jose Saleta. NB:Check out the photos taken of the May 24-25 colloquium roast, reception, and Rattlesnake Canyon hike, all in Mike’s honor, recently posted on our Event Photos pages.
