How glorious it is to wake early, walk the dog, and come home knowing there is no rush to face the day. It was after twelve o’clock by the time we packed GANNET2 and started our retreat from the top of La Cuesta ridge. I let three other cars pass me by and after they disappeared headlong down the hill we took off gently after them.
TV Tower Road is only paved as far up the hill as the tower in question so on the descent you know you are getting close when the blessed asphalt appears.
The odd thing was we never met a vehicle head on either going up or returning down to Highway 101. The gods were on our side and I had no occasion to show off my backing skills.
We have developed a strategy of lining up for gas at the various Costcos on our route. The San Luis Obispo outlet sold regular at $5:60 a gallon, eighty cents less than the credit card price around town. No wonder there was a line but as the accountant is fond of pointing out we have lots of time to save ten bucks a fill up. And it took maybe 15 minutes to reach the pump.
When we lived on the Central Coast my daily irritation was the marine inversion mechanism that brings cold sea air into contact with hot desert inland air and creates a blanket of fog blotting out the sun and usually sunsets too.
Dedicated Californians love it because it reduces heat and humidity and you don’t sweat much standing around on a summer’s afternoon. I am not of that ilk but just at the moment 70 degree days and 60 degree nights suit me fine in my van life. It won’t rain around here for another three months; it just looks like it is about to, and you get used to that too.
Morro Bay on the way to the water.
Busy day on Sunday, no surprise:
The fishermen’s monument. The family waving the safe return while the plaques listed those who didn’t come home.
Fishing not catching:
This guy was totally ignoring the sea otters floating around behind him.
I chatted with the dive instructor. He petted Rusty who was a bit taken aback by black neoprene.
I be sailed into Morro Bay a couple of times but driving GANNET2 to the Rock put us in the middle of the people and oddly enough I liked that.
Layne made tuna salad and crackers for lunch. We sat aboard and ate then walked out to the water.
I have no idea why people like to pile rocks but they’ve taken over the end of the walk under the big Rock.
Family fun at the beach.
Layne was not interested in the rock field. She hung back.
GANNET2 under the Rock.
We took Highway One up the coast 15 miles to…
…San Simeon State Park close by the entrance to Hearst Castle. We had reservations at the campground without hook ups.
We were looking forward to hot showers and a leasing night ahead of a drive up Big Sur, a long beautiful coastline where wild camping is blanket prohibited. Bummer.
California encourages lines and there was one at the entrance to the state park. Our $20 site (no hookups) cost an additional eight bucks in administrative fees. No problem. Then we went to dump out toilet. Ten more bucks. Ka-Ching
We stopped to fill the water tank. That was free but the camp’s fixed hose had no thread so I had to pour the water directly into the tank. Spillage ensued but we got the tank filled. Yay! For free! Double yay. The guy behind me in line was smiling at my frantic antics to keep the water going into the tank. Bloody California, nothing is normal here.
Then we found out the no hook ups campground has no showers. Peachy. One more day of wipes and then we moochdock with friends in Santa Cruz.
Hot showers only 150 miles away. The toilet and trash are empty while the water and fuel are full. All is ready for a nice drive up the coast of fond memory. Oh Sur here we come, even unwashed.
