San Luis Obispo to LAX 30th Oct-5th Nov 2012

San Luis Obispo to LAX   30th Oct-5th Nov 2012

It all seems surreal, no home on our back, just the two of us in a rental car but we were determined to make the most of the last few days.  With our never say die enthusiasm we powered towards Santa Barbara.

We couldn’t go to Santa Barbara and not stay at The Beach House again.  It is the best accommodation in town and the owners were delighted to see us and even gave us the same room as before. 

Wednesday 31^st October – HALLOWEEN in Anaheim, LA!!

Stopped at Santa Monica and I decided to have my hair cut.














Found a crazy Hair Salon where everyone was dressed in freaky Halloween costumes.  The lovely Laura picked the short straw and had the unenviable job of making me look good.  I explained I wanted something special as I was meeting my son the next day and I hadn’t seen him in 10 months.  She immediately burst into tears and said she couldn’t cope with that story but she was keen to transform me into a hot mumma.

 Not sure if she succeeded but we had a great time and she hugged and kissed me before waving goodbye. 

Thursday 1^st November – D-DAY, D-DAY, D-DAY, D-DAY!!!! 

I was so excited at the prospect of seeing Daniel again I could hardly contain myself.   We drove to Worldmark Mission Valley, San Diego and checked into the Resort.  Then there was a knock at the door and one hot mumma went weak at the knees.  Daniel looked fantastic and as always he couldn’t sit still for a minute. “Mum and Dad I’m taking you to SeaWorld.”  Awesome! 

The place was mind blowing.  With only a few minutes to spare we rushed to the Shamu Stadium to watch the Killer Whale Show. 

We quickly sat down
and noticed the sign “soak zone” next to our seats.  We were still trying to work it out when the first whales made their mighty entrance and we got absolutely drenched!!
My new hairstyle was history.           

I love dolphins and it has always been my ambition to pat one.  Say no more, I got to play with a group of these gorgeous, fun loving, babies.  They smiled, splashed, squeaked and loved the interaction with the crowd. 

Went on the Wild Arctic simulated ride, we didn’t exactly go anywhere but nearly froze to death as the icy wind blew down on us.   After that we checked out the polar bears, whales and some handsome looking walruses.  Fancy waking up next to that guy!!  Yikes

You name it, we saw it.  By late afternoon we were all fished out but we’d had a ball. 

Later that evening Daniel and Susie (a friend from Elandess) had dinner with us. Loved every minute of our time together.

The next morning we explored the Old Town San Diego.  Walked around the spectacular cultural centre called  Balboa Park.  This incredible place has 1200 acres of beautiful gardens, 15 museums, exquisite architecture, shops, restaurants and a world class theatre.   

At 11am we collected Daniel from a friend’s house near La Jolla.  He was starving so we decided to have an early lunch and found ourselves back in the Old Town.



As we walked around things started to look familiar and we somehow ended up outside “La Pinata” the same Mexican Restaurant that the three of us discovered in 2010.  The waitress was in national costume and beckoned us in.  We sat in the sunny courtyard and talked and laughed.  The food was magic.

The day just kept getting better.  Our next surprise was a VIP tour of the luxury yacht Elandess. 

 Daniel took us on board and we met some of the crew.  The boat was sheer opulence and to think Dan has the cheek to call it work!  All the rooms were elegantly decorated and very stylish.   The tour was an amazing experience and now we can visualise where Daniel lives and works.

Even got to sit in the speed boat and dream.  Not bad son!     

The old enemy time was racing away.  We drove Daniel to the Avis Car Hire at San Diego Airport.  He was hiring a van to drive to Mexico for the weekend.  He kindly invited us to join him and his surfing mates but unfortunately we had to decline.  I think it was for the best.  Bye Dan, please remember to write!   Love you.

Saturday 3^rd November – I spent most of the day at Macy’s while Allen opted for a relaxing massage.  We agreed to meet for lunch and I was shocked to find Allen had chosen the Tilted Kilt Sports Bar…..this was the nearest thing to a Scottish Hooters!!!!

Pretty, voluptuous bar staff dressed in mini kilts and tartan push-up bras.  TV screens all around the restaurant were belting out various footy games!! Not being able to hear a single word we were saying we decided to just enjoy the scenery.  Allen bought a Tilted Kilt Calendar and he couldn’t wipe the smile off his face.   
  

Now for a complete change of pace.  We arrived at the Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala. 

This was the first Franciscan Mission founded in 1769.  The church and gardens had a beautiful peaceful ambiance.  Little grottos were dotted around the grounds giving the whole place a sacred atmosphere. 









The mission bells were very important to the mission’s daily life.  There were 5 bells here and they were rung at the start of work, mealtimes and to advise of births and funerals!     

The following day we went to Hotel del Coronado. 

 This hotel is supposedly haunted and is the oldest and largest all wooden building left in California.  We stopped for drinks and nibbles but could not afford to eat there….hey it’s the end of our holiday, what can you expect! 












Queen Mary – took one last look at the beautiful old girl before driving to LAX Airport.

We’ve had a truly awesome trip and now that we’ve clocked up 43 States of America we are definitely coming back to visit the remaining 7.  

Boarded the plane at 10.45pm and had a great flight back to Australia.  Home Sweet Home.

                            End of Post 26  &  End of Blog

Half Moon Bay to SLO 25th-30th Oct 2012

Half Moon Bay

Thursday 25^th October –  We both enjoy a good murder novel and as I’d just finished reading 4^th of July I was in the mood for a murder!   The scene was set in the picturesque town of Half Moon Bay in San Mateo County, California and after looking at the map we realized it was right on our doorstep….we had to investigate. 

It was just like the book: a quaint little town, a heritage listed church, lots of federation style houses, quite an affluent area.

The town had just celebrated the Pumpkin Festival so the shops were beautifully decorated for Halloween.  Pumpkins everywhere!!!   

We had lunch in a strange sort of Café, I wanted something different and ordered hummus soup (what an idiot).  Boiled paper mache would have tasted better and cheaper too! 

Before leaving Half Moon Bay we walked around Pillar Point Harbour.  

 We found lots of luxury boats and commercial fishing trawlers where they sell their fresh catch to the public.  

The night was spent in a Leather Shop carpark!!  Kinky eh?  There was a couple of impressive “bikes” parked outside. 




Our first impression of Moss Landing was that it was a sleepy little haven tucked away on the shore of Monterey Bay, CA.   Obviously not much happens in these parts.





  There was a harbour and a power plant and a shrinking population of only 204 (and some of those were seagulls).

We found Phil’s Fish Market, a rather seedy establishment with all sorts of local memorabilia cluttering the walls.  It was nothing to look at but it had an extensive menu. 

Walking back to the RV we saw a man selling the most amazing orchids on the side of the road.   Finally it was time to leave and we felt we should tiptoe out of town and let sleeping dogs lie.    

In no time at all we were back in Monterey and ready to sample all the clam chowder we could squeeze in.  Drove through the famous Cannery Row but unfortunately did not have time to do it justice.


The drive through Big Sur heading towards Morro Bay was breathtaking.  The rugged coastline looked awesome in the late summer sun.  Saw plenty of chilled out seals sprawled on the beach.

Camped at Big Sur Riverside Park where our neighbours  were a rookie English family who had just arrived in Australia and had never RV’d before.  Alpal felt like an old hand as he helped them fill up with fresh water and explained where the wastewater pipe goes.  Not to be mixed up under any circumstances.   


Saturday 27^th October – With only 9 days remaining our wonderful trip is coming to an end.  I feel mixed emotions, I’m sad but I’m also jumping out of my skin at the thought of seeing Daniel in San Diego!!!!   

We broke the journey up by stopping at the village of Cambria to view the Scarecrow Festival. 

 During the month of October the local businesses display some very realistic scarecrows.  They line the middle of town and coach loads of people come to join in the fun.
  

Linda's on the right!

   

Morro Bay is a lovely fishing town near and dear to our heart.  We came here in 2010 when I thought I’d landed in Antarctica!   Al came to the rescue and bought me a thick fleece jacket with Morro Bay across the front, I wore it day and night for 6 months.  This is where we were first introduced to clam chowder and we’ve never looked back.

This time we stayed at Morro Dunes RV Park right on the beach. 

Our first priority was to
walk along the sand at sunset and look out at the huge volcanic rock that stands at the entrance to the harbour.  



Wherever you are in Morro Bay you can see 3 tall chimneys belonging to Dynegy power plant and as we gazed around we felt a strong sense of deje vu! 

We cleaned the RV in one of those coin operated do-it-yourself jobs and managed to cover ourselves with foam in the process.  Those long hoses have a mind of their own. The end result was a sparkly clean and polished vehicle ready to hand back to Rudi in a couple of days.  

Next destination Pismo Coast Village Resort.  We asked for a shady spot but we parked under a massive eucalyptus tree and the next morning the RV was like a honey pot.  The roof and windows were covered in a thick sticky sap and all the night bugs were stuck to it.  We had to wash the RV again! 

In the evening we had dinner with Rudi, Gladys, Fred and Autumn at the Spyglass Restaurant overlooking Pismo Beach.   The clientele were a bit raucous (not us for a change) but we enjoyed ourselves and thank you Rudi for picking up the tab.

Tuesday 30^th October – BIG DAY.  Did about 8 loads of washing.  Cleaned the inside of the RV and packed away our belongings ready for storage. 

Drove to San Luis Obispo Airport and collected the hire car. I drove the car (yes me) and followed Al every inch of the way.  Arrived at Gladys house and handed over the boxes.  Thank you Gladys for being such a good friend and allowing us to leave our goodies in your shed.  

We had to travel in convoy to Highway Campers Depot in Arroyo Grande to drop off the vehicle.  Rudi was first in his RV, Allen next and then little old me.  The boys drove very carefully so not to lose me as otherwise I’d still be there!    Thank you for everything Rudi we had a wonderful trip.  See you next time.  

                                   End of 25th Post