Heading to the Coast Soon

Reservations are made and we are ready for some R&R! We have been working on our new place daily. It is a big job to get things in place just the way we want them. 

Part of this camping trip was put in place some time back. We will be staying at Morro Strand State Beach with the family in attendance for part of the time. However, we are going early to spend three extra days at North Beach Pismo. We are looking forward to some great walks on the beach!

Outta The Heat

It has been triple digits at home for days. We decided to head up to the mountains, specifically Kings Canyon's Azalea Campground, to escape the heat. It is now one of the few campgrounds that are first come-first served. It is difficult to find out if Sunset is open because the website just says "Next availability in August" right now. We were relieved that there were at least a few campsites to choose from in Azalea. It is surprising how full it is even mid week. I guess because this and the small Crystal Creek are the only first come-first served in this area. Anyway, we got a beautiful campsite number 72. It might be one of the best campsites here! How did we miss this before? It is very spacious. I think it's about 75 degrees with a slight breeze. Very, very nice... Where else could you stay in a place like this for $63 a week? Of course that's the perk, one of the few, of being a senior!

We saw some beautiful pink sunsets, ate some tasty meals, took nice walks in the cool air, I worked on my digital scrap-booking, read books, played cards, watched videos before bed, and just generally enjoyed the cooler days and cool evenings. 

We also drove down the hill one day, looked at a house that our Real Estate Agent Tamera says was perfect for us, and put in an offer! We loved the house and especially the small yard. It had all the things we had on our "need AND want list." 3 Bedrooms, 2 baths, open concept kitchen-dining-living room, inside laundry, fireplace, lots of storage, 2 car garage, and amazingly it even has a doggie door for Tony! We got back up here about 3:30-4p and by 5p we got a call from Tamera that we got the house!!! Let the packing begin (again)!

About that new "Instant" Sun Shelter we bought... The struggle: It was anything but "instant" - First off, it seems to weigh more than the 35 lbs stated in the description. Second, it says it requires 2 people to put it up (I didn't notice that when buying it!). Third, it did not go up like an "Instant" tent that is so simple to put up and take down. Without the help of our neighbors we might still be struggling. It would seem that it really needs 4 people to stretch it out before the task of raising it up because right when you start pulling 2 sides to stretch it out, the other two sides go in. Once we got the four corners stretched out getting the corners up was another story. The bottom part worked well enough but the top part took some muscle to push up and click into place. Perhaps putting the upper portion in place first would be a better idea IF we use it again. Of course to use it again we must be able to get it down! Maybe our neighbors will still be here? Now for the good part: It is sturdy and we did not need to use the tie downs. It is providing sun but even better we are not getting bonked in the head with the large and multiple pine cones falling from the trees. The size fits nicely up against our awning for the trailer. I hope it will loosen up with use and we can have this as part of our equipment. 

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.