3.14159265359 and That's It
| Daily Summary | May 1 |
|---|---|
| Day | 20 |
| Start | Lake Nacimiento near Paso Robles, CA |
| Finish | Lake Nacimiento near Paso Robles, CA |
| Today’s Miles | 0 |
| Location | https://share.delorme.com/Judice |
Highlights
- We got up at first light to beat the other campers and boaters. We played classical music very loud from our boom box as repayment for yesterday’s rap music. Ross got on the lake while it was still glass and the sun was rising over the hills in the east. Robin enjoyed running before all the campers got up for morning constitutionals. The joys of rising early.
- We drove over to Tobin James Vineyards for wine tasting. This winery has the largest wine club in the world. We tasted several whites including their oaked Chardonnay and their flagship Zinfandel. We left with a bottle of Château Le Cacheflo because the name says it all. And it was tasty.
- We drove around the countryside looking for a recommended winery/vineyard that had shaded parking near their tasting room. The temperatures were approaching the 80s and Mr. Spock and T'Chat were in the jeep. In the end, rather than subject them to the heat we simply drove the long and winding roads around the countryside, enjoying the vineyards up on the hillside and the sights. We decided we need to come back to Paso Robles with our friends and a limousine driver instead of our pets.
- The weekend campers packed up their tents and left. We noticed some strange behavior among our fellow camper compadres. They have no compunction about taking hatchets to chop down campground trees for firewood (which me thinks is against the campground regulations). Also, the boys/men use towels like scarves around their necks to keep warm in the early morning to guard against the cold. At first you think everyone is heading to the showers, but later realize that they are just very large terry cloth scarves.
- Our fellow campers believe leashes are optional resulting in two dog fights and at least one dog scaring the shit out of a man walking by. To his credit, Mr. Spock did apologize. Just kidding, Spock is a very gooooood booooyyyyy! Seriously, some largish dog lunged at some smallish man and the dog owner initially couldn’t get the dog to back off. Ross ran to get a suture kit and was disappointed when the dog gave up.
- As we were enjoying the first totally quiet evening after the weekenders emptied out, we looked across the small cove and noticed a woman hiking down a trail. Ten steps behind her was her cat running along obediently. It was a funny sight to see. We pointed out the good behavior to T'Chat as a teaching point. We’re pretty sure she’s considering changing her behavior. It will be so awesome when T'Chat chases us for a change.
Lowlights
- It is clear that the water drought has affected the landscape in this area. The lake is very low compared to what appears to be historical norms. One of the boat launches doesn’t even reach the lake. At the wine tasting today, the pourer mentioned that there was a moratorium on any new vineyards and wineries. It will be interesting to see what Paso Robles looks like in 10 or 20 years. We keep hearing that the grapes just love harsh conditions. Of course it’s always someone speaking on behalf of the grapes. LET THE GRAPES SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES, DAMMIT!
- After a long streak of the most excellent pie, our streak ended today with very average pies from Cider Creek Bakery in Paso Robles where they clearly use canned peaches and sad little frozen blueberries. The horror of it all. We always heard that pie went to infinity, so we’re sad to see our pie (streak) end.
You Snooze, You Win
| Daily Summary | April 30 |
|---|---|
| Day | 19 |
| Start | Lake Nacimiento near Paso Robles, CA |
| Finish | Lake Nacimiento near Paso Robles |
| Today’s Miles | 0 |
| Location | https://share.delorme.com/Judice |
Highlights
- We spent a lazy day at the lake soaking up the sun and enriching ourselves with vitamin D.
- Robin had a short run around the campground and Ross took a nice paddleboard trip around the lake.
- We drank a bottle of wine and took a long afternoon nap in our hammock. We woke up just in time for happy hour. Thank goodness we didn’t oversleep.
Lowlights
- None
Sound and Fury
| Daily Summary | April 29 |
|---|---|
| Day | 18 |
| Start | San Simeon State Park near Cambria, CA |
| Finish | Lake Nacimiento near Paso Robles |
| Today’s Miles | 92.9 |
| Trip Time | 06:09:42 |
| Moving Average | 36.2 mph |
| Speed Max | 67.9 mph |
| Time Moving | 02:45:42 |
| Odometer | 1248.8 |
| Location | https://share.delorme.com/Judice |
Highlights
- During our morning exercise, Robin went for a run around the campground and Ross walked over along the ocean. While Robin was running she had a close encounter with a stinky kind, a skunk. She sprinted out of there.
- At the recommendation of our campground neighbors, we had an awesome breakfast at Linn’s Restaurant in Cambria. Cambria is a charming little town just north of Morro Bay.
- After breakfast we stopped at Linn’s Easy as Pie Cafe for a few slices to go: peach-blueberry, ollalieberry, and raspberry-rhubarb,
- We visited Morro Bay and drove around sightseeing. We came across some sea otters frolicking in the shallow water. A busload of schoolchildren were sitting on the shore watching attentively and giggling.
- Another recommendation sent us to Ruddell’s Smokehouse in Cayucos for smoked salmon and smoked ahi tuna sandwiches. We enjoyed these delicious sandwiches later for dinner.
- Leaving the Pacific coast we crossed over the Los Padres Mountains to the Paso Robles’ wine country. The drive was gorgeous: pastoral lush views, vineyards, and beehives. We would finally settle at a county campground on Lake Nacimiento. Our campsite sits on a bluff overlooking the lake.
Lowlights
- Friday drew quite a crowd of families coming to the lake to enjoy a weekend of skiing, barbecuing, and playing their boomboxes. The most annoying sound is competing loud songs with varying genres of music, including hip-hop, country, and Latin. The brain does not enjoy the mix.
Big Sur, If You Please
| Daily Summary | April 28 |
|---|---|
| Day | 17 |
| Start | Veterans Memorial Park in Monterey, CA |
| Finish | San Simeon State Park in Cambria, CA |
| Today’s Miles | 108.5 |
| Trip Time | 05:04:27 |
| Moving Average | 30.0 mph |
| Speed Max | 61.2 mph |
| Time Moving | 03:46:41 |
| Odometer | 1155.9 |
| Location | https://share.delorme.com/Judice |
Highlights
- The drive along the Big Sur coast was magnificent. The colors of the ocean are hard to describe ranging from dark greens to baby blues. We enjoyed the rugged profile of the coastline while meandered along Highway 1. Loads of fun and beauty.
- We barely missed a camping spot by 15 minutes at Kirk Creek Campground right on the oceanfront. We took a side trip into the Los Padres National Forest to find some dry camping opportunities. It was a beautiful diversion and we had lunch up on the mountain overlooking the ocean. In the end, we finally camped at San Simeon State Park right next to a terrific couple from San Diego, Mark and Laurie. They have been traveling up the coast in their 19 foot airstream for a few years and educated us on many good restaurants and wineries to visit. We broke bread together. They were a joy to get to know.
- The campground at San Simeon State Park came with a beautiful view of the mountains.
Lowlights
- After 17 adventure days, we are still plagued with high winds and a damp cold that gets you right in the marrow of your bones.
Wash Day
| Daily Summary | April 27 |
|---|---|
| Day | 16 |
| Start | Veterans Memorial Park in Monterey, CA |
| Finish | Veterans Memorial Park in Monterey, CA |
| Today’s Miles | 0 |
| Location | https://share.delorme.com/Judice |
Highlights
- We visited a local laundromat and washed everything. To be clean again. Virtuous.
- Bend has not met our seafood needs and we are in the midst of a seafood deficit and require a seafood bolus every 48 hours. Rx: The Monterey Fish House. Robin had the special: linguini with fresh artichoke hearts, shrimp, scallops, clams, and mussels all served in a cream sauce. Ross had the cioppino with fish, mussels, clams, shrimp, and calamari in a rich tomato broth. Add a couple of glasses of wine and coffee afterwards. Next treatment: 2 days.
- After Ross washed/cleaned 2 weeks of filth off/out of the Jeep, we reconfigured our gear storage again.
Lowlights
- Robin broke the news to Ross that he has been misspelling “Monterey” - one “r” not two.
"Cheers to Another Great Day"
| Daily Summary | April 26 |
|---|---|
| Day | 15 |
| Start | Veterans Memorial Park in Monterey, CA |
| Finish | Veterans Memorial Park in Monterey, CA |
| Today’s Miles | 0 |
| Location | https://share.delorme.com/Judice |
Highlights
- Robin and Ross ran/cycled down to the waterfront near Fisherman’s Wharf and then south along the path past Cannery Row, the beaches, the harbor seals, and the beachfront properties. The sky was clear and the temperature near perfect. Robin ran 7 miles but made Ross climb back up the hill to fetch the Jeep after some reference to Driving Miss Daisy.
- We enjoyed the “17 Mile Drive” through Pebble Beach that toured us past several golf courses and unbelievable views of the rocky shores. We saw a clan of sea lions sunning on a sea stack. We cut over to Carmel-by-the-Sea for some coffee and window shopping. Carmel’s lovely neighborhoods feature quaint houses with special touches like unusual siding or roofing.
Lowlights
- Tonight’s returning winds may drive us back into “The Appendix”, that is until the right lower quadrant pain begins to flare up. Maybe tomorrow we’ll have to move our teardrop to McBurney’s Point.
Mo' Pie
| Daily Summary | April 25 |
|---|---|
| Day | 14 |
| Start | Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Santa Cruz, CA |
| Finish | Veterans Memorial Park in Monterrey, CA |
| Today’s Miles | 57.9 |
| Trip Time | 03:28:05 |
| Moving Average | 33.8 mph |
| Speed Max | 67.0 mph |
| Time Moving | 01:50:53 |
| Odometer | 1047.5 |
| Location | https://share.delorme.com/Judice |
Highlights
- Robin worked out again in the state park’s beautiful “Redwood Grove”. So peaceful. Robin felt Lucy’s presence during her run.
- Ross cooked a big mess of eggs and bacon. It makes mathematical sense to cook all 12 eggs: 3 eggs for Ross + 3 eggs for Robin + 1-2 egg for Mr. Spock + 1-2 egg lost to the bottom of the skillet/cosmos = 8-10 eggs. Since it makes no sense to put 2-4 eggs back in the fridge because our plastic egg container fits 12 eggs. Stay with us here, if we buy another carton of 12 at the store, then how do we store 16 eggs? So we MUST cook all 12 eggs. Since Ross likes eggs, he eats the excess eggs. He considers it his patriotic duty as an American.
- We stopped at Gizdich Ranch in Watsonville for pies made from their own farm’s berries. The bakers were busy making pies at this favorite stop for people passing through. We bought 5 slices of pie, including apricot, strawberry-rhubarb, raspberry-blackberry, Dutch apple, and raspberry-ollalieberry-dwoleberry-Dutch apple. We had the apricot pie tonight and it was delicious.
- We lunched at Phil’s Fish House in Moss Landing, CA. Wow! What a great find! The restaurant sits in the harbor and sells fresh fish from the docks. The restaurant side prepares fresh seafood in large portions. Robin’s cioppino was loaded with clams, mussels, dungeness crab, calamari, shrimp, and cod in a tomato fish broth. The portion was so large we took it with us and finished it for dinner. Ross had the Manhattan clam chowder and red snapper spiced with jalapeño, mushrooms, and lemon-butter. So good!
- We scored a terrific campsite on the hillside in Monterrey, CA’s Veterans Memorial Park. Central to just about everything, we like the location and the wooded campground. We’ll stay 3 nights.
Lowlights
- It seems colder at a given temperature, say 40 degrees, than it does in Bend. Could it be the moisture in the air?
- This evening was so windy we huddled for cocktails and dinner inside “The Appendix,” our privacy tent that hangs from one of our awnings and is good protection from the elements.
- While Ross was using his iPhone app “Beer Buddy” to scan various barcodes on beer bottles in Safeway, in order to find the most highly rated craft beer on the shelf, some guy walked up and grabbed the last six-pack of the most highly rated one off the shelf (just as Ross was putting his iPhone in his pocket). Damn! P.S. Ross walked away with a six-pack of Lagunitas Maximus IPA — his second choice.
Observations
- Mr. Spock seems to be in the groove of the trip. He has breakfast and old-man walks at sunrise. Soon after, he wanders back to the Jeep and stares at the door until we lift him into his bed in the back of the Jeep. At 3:30 PM he gets up for dinner followed by more sloooooow walking and a couple of throws of the ball, then hangs out with us until he wanders back to the Jeep for bedtime. Sweet little old man.
Smooth Moves, Ex-Lax
| Daily Summary | April 23 |
|---|---|
| Day | 12 |
| Start | The Costanoa Campground in Pescadero, CA |
| Finish | Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Santa Cruz, CA |
| Today’s Miles | 35.2 |
| Trip Time | 02:30:24 |
| Moving Average | 32.3 mph |
| Speed Max | 65.0 mph |
| Time Moving | 01:14:03 |
| Odometer | 989.5 |
| Location | https://share.delorme.com/Judice |
Highlights
- We woke up to a gorgeous morning of sunshine and cool ocean breezes. Robin ran amidst the smell of eucalyptus trees while I packed up the teardrop.
- Driving along Highway 1 we came across The Pie Ranch and stopped to offer ourselves as ranch hands in hopes that we could wrangle and lasso some pies. We even volunteered to help drive the pie herd up to Montana. Sadly, we were turned away because we don’t know how to lasso pies. Apparently, they are smaller than cows. So with three pies in hand (strawberry, lemon buttermilk, and honey custard) we headed south.
- Found space on a busy Saturday at a state park in Santa Cruz. Prediction: in 10 years, you will need to make reservations months in advance for these coastal campgrounds.
- That said, we just discovered that Yosemite campgrounds are all booked up for for the season. For that and several other 4-footed reasons, we’ve decided to bypass Yosemite on this trip and spend more time moseying up the eastern side of the Sierras.
- We enjoyed a picnic on the Santa Cruz waterfront watching people, dogs, surfers, and surfing dogs.
Lowlights
- None
Observations
- What we are learning about each other after 22 years of marriage:
- Robin’s spirit soars with smells, sounds, and color, and rhythmic movement.
- Ross feels most alive with intense physical activity rewarded by a stunning vista. Or a craft beer.
