A Walk To Avila Beach

Saturday: (02/14) Because I was so inactive yesterday I wanted to get out earlier today. I fixed a nice egg, cheese and sausage breakfast sandwich to start. When my alarm went off to remind me of the Lion's Club pancake breakfast at 0800 I had a problem. I'd already eaten.  Fortunately, it ran until 1100. When I went outside I found that a raccoon had enjoyed his dinner next to the right front tire leaving just the guts of a squirrel for me to clean up. Such cute little beasts. There was some kind of a birthday event at the Butterfly Grove. It was packed. I investigated the bus schedules and they don't run often enough. I decided to take a hike up to Aliva Beach. I did much of this hike before. On my way I stopped for an early pancake lunch then continued on North. I walked up Highway One, Price Street and Shell Beach Road and along the way I looped out to the beach wherever possible. There isn't a continuous bluff trail but there are many little parks and beech access points along the way, most about 1/4 mile off the highway with no connection other than back out to the highway. At the North End of Shell Beach I connected with the Bluff Trail to Cave Landing and Pirates Cove. All the Beaches were really crowded due to the wonderful summer like weather, 86 degrees, and President's Holiday weekend. I then took to the road and walked on to the Avila Beach village. There I looked around and relaxed a little with an energy drink and ice cream. About 1530 I started back via the Bob Jones Trail along the San Luis River. There were several Geocahes located along the trail so I located most of them. I had to give that up when my phone battery died. I hiked along the top of the ridge above Highway 101 to connect back to Shell Beach Road coming down into Shell beach as the sun was setting. I stopped for dinner at Mei's Chinese Restaurant. Very good and very busy. I got a small table by the kitchen and cashier desk. It was a table for two and the place was packed. I offered my extra chair to others and enjoyed dinner conversation with a girl returned home from the university in Las Vegas and a mother visiting her daughter who lives here. It was a little difficult doing the last two miles home from the restaurant after sitting for so long. I kind of stiffen up. Total walk 19 plus miles. I arrived home at 2020. Time for a shower.