We were up early and on the road to Pismo Beach. We meandered along various country roads heading West through the farmland eventually arriving at Highway 33 just North of Maricopa, where we stopped for gas. Unusually cheaper here ($3.35) than in Bakersfield or Pismo Beech ($3.65 or more). Quite different than back in Wyoming or Colorado where you can subtract a $1. Now $3.35 is cheaper by California standards. We then headed West on Highway 166 to Santa Maria, then North on Highway 101. This route has some nice views but does have a nice long grade leaving Maricopa.
We've arrived where the nicest weather resides, Pismo Beach, North Campground. Unfortunately, it's Saturday so the place is pretty full and our favorite spots are taken. We'll have to see who leaves Sunday morning?
There was a little mix-up over a campsite when we arrived. We found a nice spot with no registration card nor any souvenirs to indicate it was occupied. After I got the rig leveled and the satellite dish up and the car disconnected, a fellow camper drove up and said it was her site and that she just registered for it. Lou was already on her way back to drop our registration envelope in the box. When we came in, the person at the gate said any space that was vacant was available. Anyway, I recognized the rig the lady was driving as having been parked near the gate when we arrived so I started preparing to move to another site. I spoke with her some more and discovered the obvious. She was new at this, this was her first trip camping in here Roadtrek. I explained she should leave something in her campsite to let people know it was occupied. Later, when we went by her site, she had a couple of boxes with an occupied message on them left in the site held down by a water jugs. I think she's got it.
The first order of business was lunch of fish and chips at Pismo beach Fish and Chips. Excellent as usual. Then, time to relax.
Dinner was a nice ham hash.
Sunday:
Lou was out early scouting who might be leaving from a site we might want. She found one next to the one we were thrown out of yesterday right by the meadow and nearer the beach. She talked to the people and we left one of our chairs there, paid for the site at the check-in station, posted our occupied sign and took a nice stroll up the beach to the pier.
There was a surfing competition going on there. The waves seemed nice for that this morning. I caught a few pictures which I'll post later. We continued our walk uptown and then to our favorite garden shop near highway one. The house cat there is very friendly so we got our dose of cat while looking around. Unfortunately, there was an unusual freeze here in January which seemed to have devastated their plants. hopefully they recover if there is more normal weather to follow.
When we returned to camp, we moved in to the now vacant site and setup for a couple more days. The camp was rather littered so my first action was to police the grounds removing about one shopping bag full of stuff. Beer bottles, charcoal, cigarette butts, bottle caps sea shells and other small pieces of packaging. A mess, at least to my eyes. Some people treat the place as if they didn't live here? At least, now, the place is clearing out a little from the weekend rush. There was a really long line at the exit for the dump. It's nice to be able to wait and leave during the week and later in the day as needed to avoid the rush.
Monday:
Nice breakfast at home then a walk on the beach, then on to San Luis Obispo (SLO). We looked around the shops and had tea at Cisco's at the Network downtown.
We then went out to the SLO Arboretum at El Churro Park. They were hit hard by the January freeze as well. Lots of damaged plants. Still a nice place to visit. The grass is greener than we've seem it on any previous visits.
On our way back home we stopped at the animal shelter to check out the cats and dogs looking for homes. About half the dos were pit bulls. Hope they don't get a home. There were quite a few cats, all very friendly. They didn't have any kittens but will in a couple of weeks. If our kitten on order at home doesn't work out, this might be a great place to find a nice kitten.
We had dinner in Grover City at Chinese buffet and Lou checked out some more thrift stores.
To top off the day, we flew the RC planes for a while.
Tomorrow, off toward home.
I'll dress this post up later. Below are the pictures from this visit.
Lots of blossoms and blooms. I particularly liked the yellow colored succulent. These were at the E
The flower on the left above is interesting. Almost like a pickle in the center of the flower. On the right, a view of some succulents with the green hill behind that will some day be the rest of the garden.
The California Golden poppies were showing themselves, though not in the botanical gardens but rather in the park.
The flowers above were on the beach near our campsite.
Humming birds were in abundance. The one on the left has a decision to make. Which will taste better? The pair on the right had other interests as they chased each other all around our campsite.
Lots of birds. A few quail running around near the campsite. The bird on the right was on the boardwalk. A nice person had left small piles of birdseed every few feet along the boardwalk.
The pelicans are quite graceful in flight. The other birds scampering near the waves amazing avoid being swamped by the waves.
The squirrel above is just hanging around on the bush munching the blossoms. The lizard is doing what lizards do.
The Pismo pier. There was a surfing tournament going on when we visited. The pier allowed some close in shots of the surfers.
Our first campsite is should above right. The park was a bit crowded due to the weekend visitors. We moved on Sunday to the site on the right. Much better, though both are better than an RV park.
A close view of our campsite. Rather green.
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