The Best and the Worst of Humanity

I've always found that camping you find the best and the worst of humanity, this time was no different. On one side we have 2 campsites of the nicest family you could find. Smiling and friendly. When they saw John and I trying move our table they ran over and moved it for us, later when we were struggling to put up our "instant" sun cover (more on that later) they also ran over to help. It is so nice to see families enjoying nature with several generations and being such NICE families. It restores faith in human nature.

Then... There are the other people, I think 2 campsites as well on our east side. I am all for having fun but after 10p it is supposed to be quite time. Hooting and hollering near midnight is really not being quiet. I can understand hearing a baby crying (which we did in the distance) but this loud activity at night is just not considerate. John and one other man asked them to be quieter just after 11p, nothing changed. Shortly after midnight they apparently went to bed, though their bright light was on until after 1a. Thankfully, they packed up and left this morning. One of the 20ish young men kept glaring at us and I just stared right back. 

As long as I live I cannot understand how some people think they are better than others? I don't care who you are, these parks are for everyone and anyone here should abide by the rules and make it comfortable for everyone visiting. Okay, off my soapbox for the day! 

Sad, but true!

Morro Strand State Beach Campground

We came over on Thursday, June 15, to enjoy a week here in the cool weather. Some of the kids came that same day and more joined on Friday and Saturday. We had a nice time celebrating Sam's birthday and Father's Day. Jeff caught some fish, we ate good food, had nice campfires, grilled oysters, walked on the beach, went on a  little bay tour, and generally enjoyed ourselves. We made trips into Cayucos and the City of Morro Bay. Deb, Saira, and I drove down to Avila Valley Barn to get pies for Sam's BD. Neither of them had been there before so it was fun to show them such a great place. We even had some roasted corn! Dread heading home to the heat tomorrow, but it must be done.  

Deb & Saira having corn

 The Boys catch!

 Cooking Filet Mignon for Sam's BD

 Happy BD Sam

Steven and Saira off to the beach

 All the De La Pena's

Oysters

Sub Sea Tours

The Best Small Town to Visit in All 50 Statess

Here's CA's BEST:

(since we're heading to the coast you may want to stop here)

California: San Luis Obispo

Population: 46,730
In the state with a full 10th of the US population, finding one small city to call “best” is nearly impossible. You’ve got the tiny towns of wine country like Sonoma, Napa, and Buellton. The Scandinavian charm of Solvang. The food in Healdsburg. Turlock.

So what puts SLO on top? Well, the setting for one. Nestled in the hills of California’s fabled Central Coast, it’s only a short trip to Hearst Castle, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Morro Bay, and wine country. But even if you don’t leave the city, there’s plenty to see -- the public art is better than in many large cities, including creatively decorated utility boxes and a 70-foot alley covered in bubblegum. A trip on the first Friday of the month lets you experience Art After Dark, a stroll through SLO’s finest galleries and performance spaces. Go in the summer and you’ll catch a free concert in the Spanish-colonial Mission Plaza. Forty miles of hiking and biking trails extend from the center of Downtown, so you can explore that gorgeous coastline from something other than your car. -- M.M.

Memorial Weekend Trip

May 25-30, 2017

We went up Thursday, we were there by noon. It was shocking how full the campgrounds were and how many people were saving sites, just like we plan to do! We were greatly blessed to even get a spot, let alone 2 side by side. YAY! Sunset Campground was still closed, which was different than the website said. We  were  on the lower loop at Azalea Campground, sites 95 & 96. I'm not sure how they would be in the summer when it is warmer and mosquitoes thrive but for now it worked out great. Both Azalea and Crystal Creek were full by Thursday evening. These sites worked well enough for us. The When DLP's & Julie arrived Friday am, Sam was able to level their tent trailer despite the severe slope and potholes. S&S arrived Friday late afternoon and our group was completed. No Jeff this weekend, he is working and Soren stayed home (to have a party?).

There was a small line to get into the parks at the entrance but other than that the traffic was not an issue for us. It was very crowded at Grants Grove facilities on the actual weekend. We enjoyed delicious food complements of the DLP's chef skills and some grilled onions from Steven. I found firewood and with the muscles of S&S and Julie they got it back to camp. Steven chopped up a bunch for our fire. Some of us trekked across the fallen logs in the meadow. We all enjoyed the multiple deer that came to feast in the same meadow. Yahtzee was dominated by Sam and Julie but the rest of us had fun, John even played "using the cup" as instructed. 

S&S left Sunday so Steven could make his soccer game commitment. D&S with Spencer and Julie went home Monday morning. We stayed on until Tuesday to avoid any possible traffic issues. Another fun time camping with the family with great memories made. 

We now have a new campfire game, as long as the phones stay charged! It is sort of like charades. The ap is called Head's Up and we had a lot of fun playing that.  

Kings Canyon-Sequoia

So in checking I have found Azalea Campground is the only first come, first served campground around Grant's Grove now. Sunset Campground is reservations only and of course it is full for the opening Memorial Day weekend. John and I are going up Thursday morning in hopes that we will find two spots for the family for the weekend. IF NOT, the trip will be canceled. However, I am feeling hopeful since the nighttime temps may drop to  freezing I think the faint of heart may stay home and there will be plenty of room for us. 

Reservations - Morro Strand State Beach

We got a couple of the  last available campsites for a week including the Father's Day weekend when the kids will be joining us. We might extend our stay elsewhere but we'll see what is happening at the time.

Home Again! - Day 59

Miles 202  
Total Miles For Trip 7,001 - 17.8 MPG
We are so happy, blessed, and thankful to be able to go on this trip. We saw so much, had some preconceived ideas erased, and learned a lot of new things. We know we definitely want to return to New Orleans one day and sample more of the exquisite food they have in the area. But we also learned how much we love California. The mountains, the seaside, the valley we live in, there is just no comparison. Politics aside, there is just no other state like California. We may be prejudice in our opinions, me especially being a native Californian, but there is no comparison in our minds. There's no place like home!!!