Wednesday, July 2: I got to the Big Sur campgrounds around
2:30. As I suspected from the camp map and walking around the campgrounds
- I got the BEST site. It was above all the others on top of a hill and not
next to anyone. Just above me are a couple of cabins for the camp workers.
From what I can tell, there is a single woman camper just below me. Do you
think they put singles near their cabins rather than families - knowing they
will be quiet? No matter to me, I felt safe up there.
By the time I put up my tent and made myself lunch; it was already 3:30.
I was tired from hiking around Carmel and it was so quiet and peaceful, I
decided to just relax. So, I walked around the campgrounds, checked out the
Big Sur River that runs along side the campground, typed up this report and
basically lazed around camp reading. Ahhh... nice.
Thursday,
July 3: Hwy 101. A beautiful drive, in spite of the fog. I stopped off
at Pfeiffer State Park and did a short hike to Pfeiffer Falls. I also had
to stop at Lucia, Big Sur. Had to get the T-shirt. Yeah, I have a whole
city named after me. Well, more like a rest stop, but you can’t
beat the views. I got to Morro Bay around lunchtime and found a spot to
have a picnic lunch before checking into my hotel. I wan’t impressed
and a bit disappointed with Morro Bay. A touristy spot with souvenir shops
and seafood chains. After Carmel and working everyday in La Jolla – it
spoils you for anything less than ideal.
I decided
to make the best of it and go Shopping! Whenever I go to a new city, I
love to visit their used bookstores. I found a couple that were in downtown
San Luis Obispo, just a few miles from Morro Bay. As I was driving about
SLO, I noticed a number of people setting up street BBQs. I figured it
was for the next day – 4th of July. After shopping a bit, I decided
to have an early dinner at an intriguing looking, fusion cuisine restaurant,
Novo. They had a gorgeous back patio – where I ate a wonderful meal.
What a surprise when I walked out the front door! In the hour or so the main
drag turned into a festival! Turns out SLO has a huge Farmers Market
every Thursday evening. It is blocks long with food venders, farmers, musicians
and artisans. It looked like everyone in SLO was there. I had a great time – in
some ways regretting that I could've had a BBQ dinner, but I don’t
regret eating at Novo. Next time I'll skip Morro Bay and explore and
stay in SLO instead... making sure I’m there on a Thursday night.
Friday, 4th
of July: I drove home to San Diego and made it back in time to see the
local fireworks show at the High School. Great vacation. I can't
wait to do it again.
