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

Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon 13th to 25th Oct

Yosemite National Park

Saturday 13^th October – Since the beginning of our adventures in 2010,
Yosemite National Park was the one place we’d been dying to explore.






 

We were so excited when we finally arrived and guess what?  As we drove up to the Ranger’s Hut we were told “No Vacancies!”  WHAT!! 








Apparently it’s always hard to get a site at the weekend, had we arrived mid-week, no worries!  The Ranger advised we could go on a waiting list and with a bit of luck we might get in. 















We joined a queue to register our name and couldn’t help but notice all the people ahead of us.  We were told to come back at 5pm to discover our fate.  

It was an anxious wait listening to the successful names being called out and with only 2 spaces left..…finally “Mr Go-ut” rang loud and clear.  What a relief. 




  

Ayway with all that behind us we went to see a movie at the Yosemite Theatre.  I can’t remember the name of it but it was an inspirational story about a Native Indian who climbed all the highest mountains bare foot and with no safety ropes.  At the end of the movie, he came on stage and spoke about his life and family. 
           

Our campsite was awful, it made Armageddon look attractive.  It was a damp night and as we tried to find our site the thick smoke from the campfires hung around like a wet blanket. 

It looked like the end of the world with not a blade of grass anywhere.   I was ever hopeful it would look better in the morning. 

Over the next couple of days we took the free Shuttle Bus to various parts of Yosemite and did some amazing walks.

We hiked to the magnificent granite cliff called El Capitan.  We watched a group of climbers ascend the cliff face. 

On average it takes 3 days to reach the summit and we could see some of the climbers resting in hammocks.  




Hard to believe they camp in tents over night.  What are we moaning about?

American Indian folklore tells a story about a man and women who argued and fought. 















 The spirits were unhappy with their behaviour and changed them into stone, Half Dome and North Dome, who have to face each other forever across the valley. 

There’s a hint of autumn in the air and some of the leaves are turning golden brown. The tall yellow grass in the meadow looks spectacular. 

We ascended 7,214 feet to a viewpoint called Glacier Point situated on the south wall of the Yosemite Valley.  Got some wonderful photographs of the mountains and Yosemite Falls.

The look-out was surprisingly busy with tourists and quite by chance we met an Australian lady called Pam who had spent the past 40 years living in India.  








We got talking and swapped email addresses, maybe we can housesit for her in Mumbai.

Had a great time at Yosemite but it's time to move on.

Spent a ‘freebie’ night on the side of the road next to Bass Lake in Sierra National Forrest.  What a top spot. 

 The weather was beautiful so Al went fishing and I sat reading a good book and didn’t move an inch only to apply more sunscreen. 

Racoon Prints 

Moving on from the Lake we arrived at Fresno, recently voted Dirtiest City in the USA, oh we can pick ‘em.   Our destination was Blackstone North RV Park and when we finally pulled in we were shocked to find a very rough Trailer Park next door. The only thing that separated us from them was razor wire on top of the fence. 

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park

Friday 19th October - Walked a self guided half mile loop called General Grant TreeTrail in Sequoia National Park.  It was wonderful to get up close to these majestic trees. 



















Spent one night at Azalea Campground and a second night at Sheep Creek in KingsCanyon National Park.   Both rugged and no frills. 

Rise and Shine!!  We were up with the sparrow fart because someone wanted to go fishing!!  Found Hume Lake and the great maestro caught 3 trout.  You beauty!!  No kissing and throwing back, they went straight on the BBQ. 

   

Walked around the famous General Sherman Tree, the largest tree in the world. 

On 21^st we left the Sequoia National Park and drove 
to Patterson in Stanislaus County, California.




Next stop Kit Fox RV Park in Patterson, an up-market type resort and much nicer than our previous camp.  We went in to register and Cindy organised our booking.

  We were very aware of our “bogan” appearance!  We hadn’t had a shower in 4 days and my hair was sticking to my head and Allen had a wild looking stubble happening.  Cindy smiled sweetly and asked “Are you the newly weds?”

The weather was cold, wet and miserable but there was a good supply of swap books in the Office.  Stocked up on some great James Patterson books (nothing to do with the town of Patterson where we were staying).  He’s an excellent author and his books are always fast moving.  Unlike us.

What is Patterson famous for?  Absolutely nothing.  We noticed a local football club was having a fund raising BBQ in the park.  It was such a great set-up we had to take a picture.

                                 End of 24th Post