From San Luis to Morro Bay and everything in between!

We had an awesome and uneventful drive to San Luis Obispo yesterday and I actually had my fingers crossed the last 10 miles or so that El Chorro had a campsite available for us. I thought the proximity to the coast and the time of year might mean a busy campground but...yeah! Lots of sites available and we got a great spot in what I deem an "actual" campground (meaning trees, nature, no railroad tracks, etc...). El Chorro is right off Highway 1 North smack in between San Luis and Morro Bay. After a quick set up we scattatled (sp?) off to Morro Bay for some sun and sea. And, boy, did it deliver both. As Jeff and I walked the beach, I felt a weight lift and my breath come back. Gorgeous. And the smells...all that I needed and wanted...salt, fish, must!



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Morro Rock

After a good 2 mile walk along the beach (and nauters pedicure) we went into the Marina area to seek out tourist traps and dinner. We found both.

Wharf Sea Lions

 Wandered the dockside shops awhile then on the advice of a local, went to Dorns for dinner. The restaurant sat up on a hillside, so we were able to look down on the town and enjoy the sunset while also enjoying a scotch and the required Fish and Chips.

Just as we were leaving, the 4 older ladies at the table next to us (who we had been admiring both because they drank scotch and also were using thier iPhones to take photos) said something to us that made us stop and start a conversation with them. Turns out they were all members of a "Red Hat Society" and on a "girls weekend" away from...Fresno! To make a long story short, we ended up sitting down with them, having another scotch and talking and laughing for an additional hour plus. They were ADORABLE. The oldest was 76 and the youngest 58 but they were all retired, all lived in, but not from, Fresno, and all had an amazing sense of humor and love of life. We had a blast and they were eating Jeff up like he was dessert! He loved it too. And to think he never in a million years thought he would be a Red Hat! We sat and watched the sun set and then the fog roll in and enjoyed thier company immensely!
Eventually we did go home and fully appreciated the quiet night and the multitude of stars. Though I did get a bit freaked when I was having my smoke outside and the coyotes started in! Lots of wildlife, we were told, around the park. Coyotes, roadrunners, rattlers, scorpions, and as I saw this morning....Quail.

Our backyard



Today we went to the other town, San Luis Obispo. What a gorgeous place. Everything is neat, plush, green, clean. We went downtown and found it to be every bit the college town that San Luis is suppose to be (as home of Cal Poly) Cute surf shops and coffee houses galore, a few bums but more young, hip students! Bummed around a bit, did a few chores (mailed a few presents out!) and had a bite at a Fuddruckers type place. Then it was off to the Costco for a few essentials that we were actually running out of. Even the frickin Costco was gorgeous. And they had the liquor right in the store...no separate department! Amazing!!!

Back to the BP with our perishables where we enjoyed a pleasant afternoon. I went for a walk around the neighboring golf course and watched the fog roll in from the coast, over the mountain peaks.

One of the sisters

 There are 6 "sisters" that stretch from Morro Bay to San Luis that are all volcanic caps. They are all equally majestic and beautiful. This awesome combination of rock and lush forest.  We plan to hike the highest at some point this week, it's "only" 1500+ feet.  We even had a campfire this evening for the first time since Custer. It was so nice. Believe it or not, the one great thing about Fresno was a radio station that played the BEST music, pretty much all dance, ranging from 70's to today but really focusing on stuff my daughter listened to in probably 2000 or so ( think Jock Jams) and 80's funk. It was awesome and Jeff found an app (I love) that allowed us to listen to this station commercial free on his iPhone while by the fire. Perfect night. My shoes melted as I had my feet resting on the fire ring while watching my very "white" husband attempt to shake his groove thing. Hysterical.

We have decide to stay put until next Monday. The area is great, the side trips literally endless, the weather perfect and the price can not be beat so...