Still @ Pismo II

June 6: Today we headed toward Morro Bay.  We wanted to just see the area plus check out possible campsites for the future.  We enjoy Pismo but it is often full here and we know there is camping at Morro Bay, but not sure of the facilities.  The short drive was uneventful.  Coming from the south we took the exit for the state park camping area.  It is a large campground and has 30 sites with hookups (not sewer) for $50. The remainder of the 140 sites are “dry” camping at $35. per night.  Of those remaining sites, there is a handful of bike/hike camps as well.  Showers are free for campers.  There is a marina across the street from the campground but we didn’t see a place to launch a boat.  The area of water by the campground is not open ocean but bay/bog/wetlands.  It is a short drive or walk to an actual beach area, just over 1 mile toward town.  I’m not sure if there is a path or not.  Between the campground and the beach is a small museum, we didn’t go there.  After marking a few spots we liked the best on our map we made our way into town and out to Morro Rock for a walk around that area.  I didn’t realize Morro Rock was a plug volcano at one time. We drove back to the Embarcadero and easily found a place to park and searched out a place for lunch.  We had excellent fish and chips at the Dutchman.  After that we walked up and down the entire area.  There is a tiny park that is alive with squirrels.  I believe they feed them on purpose to keep them there and happy.  They are pretty brazen and though I like squirrels well enough, there were so many, it was almost creepy.  After our walk we headed out to check out Montana del Oro State Park.  It is south of Morro Bay and if one was just going there, they would exit at San Luis Obispo for a more direct route.  It was a rather drab drive with very few trees but a few groves of what appear to be eucalyptus trees, but some variety different from the usual seen around.  There are some great views back to Morro Rock and the jagged, stark, and brutal coastline.  We found the campground called Islay Creek Campground, the only campground within Montana de Oro State Park.  It is remote, vault toilets appear to be the only services for the 50 sites other than a “Ranch House” that was possibly a visitors center or small museum as well. Our cell phones worked at the entrance of the campground but lost service going back into the canyon just a little bit.  No maps were available since the “Ranch House” closed at 3pm.  We took a photo of the map and noted a few sites we might like.  Camping fee is $25. and $10. per extra vehicle, beginning with the second vehicle!  There is a lovely beach right nearby, though one must drive to it, at least I didn’t see a trail and it is a one lane road at this point (paved).  We continued south, but the road was gated after just a few miles.  Interesting drive… We headed back to home camp, had a snack for dinner, cards and reading completed our day.

June 7:  Today we spent the entire day in camp, it was restful and nice.  Lunch was simple, some Mango Habanero chicken wings and veggies from the Avila Valley Barn.  Talked to a ranger today, the blue and orange flags we see stuck in the ground will be new trees planted within a couple weeks, Alder and Oak.  They are supposed to be good sized trees as well, so that will improve the campground.  John asked him about the eucalyptus trees we saw along the drive to Montana de Oro.  He laughed and said they were planted for lumber purposes but it was soon discovered they were the wrong variety, so they remain where they are, and useless.  They also emit an oil that kills all vegetation underneath them. That was poor planning by someone!   Not much sun today, almost chilly.  We will enjoy it because we know what it will be like at home! I finished my third book (The Next Target by Nikki Arana) and it ended up being really good. I couldn’t put it down! Started the next book (A Time to Heal by Barbara Cameron) and read until after midnight! Some people are coming in for the weekend but surprisingly, the campground is not full, which we thought it would be.