3/11 -
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| Found a place for a short hike |
Did a HH winery.
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| Not one of my better views. |
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| My foot is still bothering me. Inside that marking is slight redness. |
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| Temecula, CA |
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| Temecula |
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| Corned beef and cabbage for St Patty's Day. Yum! |
I asked a police officer about parking somewhere and he said it's not allowed, so I had to drive south (I hate to backtrack...😂) to San Clemente Campground.
The next day, I headed to the park where iOverlander said you could park in Laguna Beach. What a gorgeous park! Lovely flowers and views of the water.
After this and some other exploring, I headed to Redondo Beach to park in front of new friends' house (Julie and Kirsten, who I met at South Carlsbad State Park). When I arrived, I was facing in the wrong direction, so I pulled into the neighbor's driveway to turn around. BIG MISTAKE!!! The driveway was super steep and my hitch scraped on the way in, like really badly. Then when I finally got the guts to back up, the van got hung up on the hitch and didn't want to go back. Yikes!!! What to do? I'm stuck in these peoples' driveway, so I pulled forward and gave it just a little gas and it scraped like hell, but I got out. So, this is a new lesson for me, well one I should have already known, but now I'm extra careful about steep transitions. Thank goodness I was able to force my way out without (🤞🤞🤞) damaging anything.
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| Just a cool tree |
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| Big Bertha in Redondo Beach. |
3/18 - Kirsten, Julie, and I, and the pups, of course, walked down to the pier and along the path. Dogs not allowed on the pier, so we didn't go there. Afterwards, I drove into town and parked along the shore and hung out there for several hours. I felt like I was starting to come down with a cold, but wasn't sure since I had been waking up with a runny nose on and off, but nothing came of it. As we were getting ready to head to dinner, I mentioned that I was afraid I might be coming down with something and they really didn't want to get sick, so we ordered sushi takeout and I ate alone in my van. It was the best sushi I think I've ever had. Yum!!! Since you're usually more contagious before actually showing symptoms, I figured the worst was done, but no point in exposing them more. The next morning I wore a mask when I went in to shower. It has been a long time since wearing a mask!
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| view while hanging out in Redondo beach |
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| Redondo Beach pier |
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| Super yummy and memorable sushi!! |
3/19 - After leaving Redondo Beach, I headed to Santa Monica. I should have gone further north earlier in the day because I ended up in LA traffic. Yikes! Google maps took me down a ton of roads to avoid the 405, but I think I would have preferred to just drive slowly than the route I took. I always seem to forget that very important detail. Erin lives in Santa Monica, but she's a busy lady and I didn't give advance notice, so it didn't work out to get together. To be honest, I don't think she had much interest. 😆
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| Murals in Venice Beach |
I had parked in a lot at the beach which didn't have an attendant and just paid for a car since I really only take up one space and it was quite empty. After leaving, I was running into traffic and route 1 was closed somewhere south of Malibu (hadn't shown closed earlier) and just needed a place to pull over and figure out what to do. I tried to go back into the lot, but there was now an attendant and she said I can't leave and come back without paying again. She wanted to charge me $28!!! So, needless to say, I left and found a spot to pull over and figure things out.
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| Such a cool plant |
Leo Carillo campground
3/20 - Zoe and I walked in the morning and ended up walking with Niquelle and her pup. We had a nice long chat. She and her husband travel to escape Pittsburgh winters. Super nice folks.
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| Can't see them very well, but these are parrots in the tree |
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| This is a campground right on the side of Rte 1, but also right on the water. |
On the way north, we stopped in Santa Barbara. I was told to check out the Fun Zone, but I would have been better off going to the downtown pedestrian area to see historic Santa Barbara. People suggest things and I blindly follow, but I really need to do more research. I'm sure it's a fun time in the evening, without a dog, but for us, it was just ok. Not very interesting. I stopped and had lunch at a restaurant and was so excited to have Shakshuka, but it wasn't like I remember Elena making it.
We drove to Jamala Beach county park and managed to get an ocean site. Lucky us! I decided to stay 2 days because it was beautiful and 14 miles off the main road. I met a guy named Mike. He and his friend, John, were in a cabin and I went up and hung out with them. I know - to many this is crazy, but I think I have a good judge of character and felt safe. Plus I had my trusty girl with me. Mike had talked about how lucky he was cuz he was still happily married after some number of years. Then he walked me back to my van and he tried to kiss me! So not what I was expecting! I really can't remember the last time that happened. I totally avoided it and gave him a hug and good night.
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| Photo of my van from the cabin |
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| Beautiful sunset view from the cabin |
3/21 - Mike and John were leaving and offered for me to shower in the cabin. That was a treat over the very unappealing showers for the campers. I waited till they had left and then had a lovely shower.
It was a quiet day walking the beach and had dinner at the store. It was highly recommended and I had the famous Jalama burger and I have to say, it might have been one of the best burgers I've ever had!
Definitely windy here! I ended up hiding in the van from the wind. I had read about the sand sandblasting paint on vehicles. Hopefully two days won't damage the van. I might consider staying in an upper site instead of on the beach if I went back.
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| Morning view (I didn't put my window cover on so I could wake to this |
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| Some driftwood art on the beach |
Another beautiful sunset
3/22 -
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| Zoe hanging at the neighbors' |
John and Mike had suggested this Lake Cachuma campground near Solvang, but it was a weekend and such a family camp, so not ideal for me. And my site was covered in dog shit! I had to go around and clean it up so that I didn't step in it. Gross. So many people and kids. There was a restaurant/bar on site with music, so I went to that. The music was so bad, it was really funny. Voices were bad and, even though I'm not in the least bit knowledgeable on music, I could tell they were bad and made a lot of mistakes. Food and beer were good and the view too. The campground is on the water, but it's a reservoir and you're not allowed to swim in it. Kind of a bummer (not now, but when it's hot out).
Nice views on our walks
3/23 - Left the campground and went to Solvang, which was cute. Had a great sandwich and lemonade for lunch (2 meals for sure!) and walked around.
Went onto Oceana Pismo Beach campground. I called and was told there was availability, but when I arrived there was a sign saying it was full. I asked anyway and was told that the hookup spots were full. I'm glad I asked as there were 7 free sites. It was a nice walk to the beach from the campground and I hadn't expected to find so many vehicles on the beach. If I had AWD I might have considered camping on the beach, but I wasn't willing to try in my van. It was very hard packed once you got on the beach, but getting on seemed a bit sketchy. Of course, there were tons of vehicles that could have pulled me out if necessary.
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| I felt like I was on a strip with all the cars driving by. |
I left Zoe in the van and walked down to the beach for sunset. Sometimes it's nice to be just me and not have to wait for her.
3/24 - I made an appointment with a podiatrist for my foot in two days in Pismo beach area because though it's way better than it was in the beginning, it's still bothering me at the end of the day. I knew I might not go because I wouldn't want to backtrack, but I made the appt anyway just in case.
I had contacted Kathleen from Road Trip her about staying with her in Paso Robles. She actually responded (so many don't) and was living in Cambria, a place I was heading to, so I parked outside her and Scott's house in Cambria. She sent me to Laughing Wells in Cambria and I was thrilled as it was so beautiful. The water was just incredible. I think the most beautiful since being on the CA coast. I spent a long time just watching the water in awe.
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| Morro Bay |
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| Morro Bay's iconic Eagle Rock |
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| More Morro Bay |
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| Looking at Morro Bay from Cayucos |
Laughing Wells, Cambria, CA
3/25 - supposed to have the appointment for my foot, but I didn't want to drive 1 hour south for it. I thought I'd be able to get an appointment in Temecula, but that didn't pan out.
I headed into downtown Cambria and when I came out the other side, it was all fogged in. I had planned to drive up the coast as far as I could go (Rte 1 still closed from landslides from a couple of years ago), but because of the fog, I didn't. We went for a hike at San Simeon that went on the beach for a while, then into a eucalyptus forest. The fog was pretty cool. I've enjoyed so many lovely days, that it was fun to see things in the fog.
After the hike we went north to the Elephant Seal viewing area. The pups are so cute. No adult males that I could see.
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| Lunch spot |
Went back to Kathleen and Scott's for the night. They had offered for me to do laundry and shower, so I took them up on it!
These guys are crazy. They are renting and have so much stuff and trying to get rid of everything. They aren't keeping anything that doesn't fit in the van and their van is a Sprinter 144. They are both 6'1" and they have 4 cats and a small dog. They're bringing tools so that Scott can help people with their vans on the road and a large sewing machine. I cannot begin to imagine how everything fits. Where does the food go? Clothes? They have catios for the cats and an umbrella and chairs. I really don't get it. My garage isn't chock full, but I don't know how I'd organize if I had a lot more stuff. Yay for them!
3/26 - Leaving Cambria, I was totally wowed by the views. Route 46 towards Paso Robles was just incredible. It was cloudy and foggy, but still absolutely incredible! These first three photos are from a pull off. I would love to buy some land there and build my tiny home and enjoy these views until my dying days. You can't really tell, but the ocean is in the distance.
Stopped for a visit to a dog park. So many dogs, Zoe mostly sniffing the ground instead of visiting with the dogs. Seems odd to me, but it's her thing.
Four Sisters Ranch Harvest Host. Two other HHers cancelled, so I was on my own. I spent time chatting with ?? who was serving the tasting. She was very sweet and we had some good convos about coming here from Mexico and learning English, etc. Then a group of tasters came in late for their appointment, so we ended out conversations. Beautiful spot and great wine.
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| Not sure she should have been on the chair in the winery, but the owners came in and didn't seem to mind... |
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| Resident pup. I think she's got some wolf in her. |
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| Eerie |
3/27 - After leaving the winery, I headed to Carmel Valley. Somewhere I had heard that it was worth going to. It's a tiny town with several wineries. It would be really fun to stay in town and walk from winery to winery to do the tastings and not have to drive. I wish wine (and beer) could have equivalent NA versions. Wouldn't that be wonderful???
I got my first knock!!! Hopefully it's the last! I parked at a spot that was recommended on iOverlander. There was another van there when I arrived and then a truck camper showed up. The van left at some point. At about 10:30, when I was in bed and awake, headlights were shining on the van. I looked out and there were two cop cars pointing at my van. The two sheriffs knocked on the truck camper first, so I had some warning. I could vaguely hear what was being said. They were very nice young sheriffs and said we could stay the night, but couldn't stay another night. They took my license and ran the info. 😯 I guess neighbors (not that there was anyone close) and business folks who drive by call it in. Apparently it's a $1000 fine for parking illegally in Monterey county! WOW!
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| Morning at Four Sisters Ranch |
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| prickly pear in Carmel Valley |
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| View from parking spot in Carmel Valley |
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| After leaving Four Sisters, I heard a loud noise in the back and when I pulled over to take a look I found the computer drawer face broken off. It's the face that has the hook to lock it in place while I drive, so this is what I came up with to keep it in place (after taking out my laptop and other heavy items) and it worked. |
3/28 - Around 8:00 AM another Sheriff stopped by and knocked on the truck camper for a while to talk to her and then came to me. I was up, so no biggie. He also said that people were calling, so they had to come by. He also mentioned that the Safeway in town was a place one could park. I guess I didn't know that the Safeway that I had seen on iOverlander was so close. Duh!
One of the things I love is to visit "cute" towns. Because of overpopulation I'm often disappointed, but Carmel By the Sea did not disappoint. Granted, it's definitely a tourist town with lots of people, but the architecture is worth it. I love the older style buildings and a mix of styles. The ocean is amazing and I would live here in a second if I could afford it. Where's that handsome, nice, kind, liberal, wealthy man that I could fall in love with? One that already lives here??? 😉 It's not often that I want to live in an expensive place, but this place feels magical to me.
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| That roof is so cool |
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| Little store in town |
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| This kind gentleman held onto Zoe while I went in to get some grub. 😂 |
We found a parking spot and walked along the shore in Carmel By the Sea
17 mile drive Carmel to Monterey
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| Yep, I really am here. 😂 |
3/30 - Stayed at a HH Winery. They have a No Pitbull stipulation, but I told them that I say Zoe is a boxer mix, but others say they see Pitbull (Which I totally do and adore), but he could decide for himself. He approved me, but when we showed up, he immediately asked her breed and then he remembered. Of course she was wonderful with his dogs and wonderful in general and she was welcomed to the winery (in spite of all the signs saying "No Dogs"). Apparently an employee was recently bitten by a pitbull and their insurance discriminates. John, another HHer, enjoyed sharing stories over our wine tastings. I really enjoyed him.
Half Moon Bay - such a cute town
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