Morro Bay, California to Home – 4/27/2015 – http://fulltimetimeshare.com/blog

April 27, 2015 (Monday)

Got up and got a cup of coffee (each) and a yogurt from the very poor breakfast selection at the Days Inn, Morro Bay. We left right at 11:00 AM and explored Morro Bay. I tried looking for the house we used to live in when I was young, but couldn’t quite remember where it was.

Edie's childhood theater. — Edie’s childhood theater.

We also drove down to the pier area and then over to Morro Rock. They have it fenced in now so you can’t climb it. We also went around to the back side of the rock where some people were on “Peregrine Falcon” watch. We looked but didn’t see one, but we did see a bunch of sea otters playing in the bay.

This is a, "raft" of otters. — This is a “raft” of otters.

There are some rocks that are coming down pretty soon.

We left Morro Bay and drove Highway 1 a ways to Cambria. We were hungry so we stopped at a little place called Mojo’s. Really good. We split a sandwich, chips, and an apricot bar. Excellent food and a fun atmosphere. It was a Starbucks type place but more homey and friendly. Would go back if we’re in the area again. We also got some gas as we didn’t want to have to get gas in Gorda or Big Sur as it’s some of the most expensive in California.

We continued on our drive and stopped at Hearst Castle. Michael and I have taken some tours here before but decided not to tour today as it takes so long. We would love to do a night tour, or a Christmas tour, one day. We took some long lens pictures of the castle and hope they turn out as it is such a beautiful place.

I love the wild rugged lands between Morro Bay and Monterey.

The Castle. Well worth the tour if you are in the area and haven't seen it. — The Castle. Well worth the tour if you are in the area and haven’t seen it.

A short drive away from the castle was a turn-out with some cars so we decided to stop. Very glad we did as we were at the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery area. Could not believe how many hundreds (probably thousands) of elephant seals were lying around in the sun, enjoying the day. The babies were so cute in that they had much more white fluffy fur on them. We loved how they would scoop up the sand and throw it over them.

Then as your eyes wander, you realize that they are thick for a long way.

We'd occasionally see a flipper throw sand on themselves. — We’d occasionally see a flipper throw sand on themselves.

A squirrel contemplating an infant elephant seal.

The drive up the coast is quite beautiful. We just missed the beautiful blue lupins in bloom, but you could still tell a little bit how spectacular they must have been.

The blue lupines, we are slightly too early or slightly too late. — The blue lupines -we are slightly too early or slightly too late.

The coastline was lovely with all its turns and views of the crashing waves. It is a slow drive though and you can’t be in a hurry. We wanted to just take our time and enjoy.

When I saw a sign for The Hermitage, I turned and started driving to it. When I was young I worked for a place called Omnigistics. It was a direct mail marketing firm that did work for The Hermitage. They would try to sell The Hermitage’s famous fruitcake by direct mail. I had heard so much about The Hermitage, I wanted to see what it was like. What a beautiful place two miles up the mountain with amazing views of the ocean and all around. We enjoyed talking to one of the monks there and getting more information.

This caught us by surprise, it has been quite a while since we have driven this way.

We think this is at a place called, "Devil's Slide." Every winter it would go out, this hill would slide and take out the road. — We think this is at a place called, “Devil’s Slide.” Every winter it would go out, this hill would slide and take out the road.

Like a gunslinger, I put the camera out the window and shot backwards with instinct aiming only.

On our way up the mostly one lane road to the Hermitage. Monks, living in silence, based on Saint Benedict. — On our way up the mostly one lane road to The Hermitage. Monks, living in silence, based on Saint Benedict.

Somewhat comforting to see the buried concrete piers.

Not sure how they get their water up here.

My most favorite flower. I have always loved how they look like a bird from paradise.

They look like a long necked predator from Florida.

A fun initiate, fourth stage. Getting close to becoming a monk. Vow of silence. He told us a joke the Sr Monk tells. The new Monks are allowed 2 words a year. After the first year the new monk tells the senior monk, "Bed Hard." The Senior Monk says, "Thank you my son." A year later the fellow comes back and says, "Food Cold." The Senior Monk says, "Thank you my son." N ext year the fellow says, "I'm Leaving." The Senior Monk says, "I'm not surprised, you've done nothing be complain since you've been here!" We got a good laugh out of that. — A fun initiate, fourth stage. Getting close to becoming a monk. Vow of silence. He told us a joke the Sr Monk tells. The new Monks are allowed 2 words a year. After the first year the new monk tells the senior monk, “Bed Hard.” The Senior Monk says, “Thank you my son.” A year later the fellow comes back and says, “Food Cold.” The Senior Monk says, “Thank you my son.” N ext year the fellow says, “I’m Leaving.” The Senior Monk says, “I’m not surprised, you’ve done nothing but complain since you’ve been here!” We got a good laugh out of that.

Back down the steep hill and back onto Highway 1.

We stopped at a bench for about 15 minutes. It was warm and wonderful. Felt like I’d been on a retreat.

Our next stop was at the Pfeiffer State Park to ask about the waterfall that flows into the ocean. It is only one of two known in the world that does it. The Park Ranger told us where the path was that goes down to the waterfall, about a ten or fifteen minute walk. We decided to do it another day. A short distance away from the park was a turn-out and we went into it. There we got to see the waterfall in all its glory – flowing into the ocean. How beautiful! Can’t wait to take the hike to see it up close and personal.

Julia Piefer Burns State Park. McWay falls.

So many convertibles. Every Monterey rental car must be a convertible.

I started taking pictures of random ones.

Thought it was Bixby Bridge, but the view wasn't right. It wasn't but it must be a twin. — Thought it was Bixby Bridge, but the view wasn’t right. It wasn’t Bixby but it must be a twin.

We finally reached Highway 1 and Carmel Valley Road and realized the Big Sur Marathon had just happened yesterday. Glad we missed it as it can be such a zoo.

A quick stop at one of our favorite beaches to see if any whales were feeding.

We stopped at our daughter’s work to say hello and ask if she wanted something to eat. We went to Kula Ranch and had dinner. I thought they had a two fer special on Mondays but I was wrong, it’s on Tuesday. Michael had the chicken dish and I had a steak dish. Both pretty good. We got some sushi for Lexi and took it back to her a little later.

She finished the phone conversation and ran around the counter and gave us a big hug. Eight months since we got one of those.

Kula's has some nice art. — Kula’s has some nice art.

Edie had a steak and she really liked it.

We got to Lexi’s place and met her new little puppy, Rooster. Very cute. Beans barely tolerates him but I think he’s glad for the company while Lexi is at work. We are now in the studio, very comfortable and cute. That was our day. Hope yours was great!