The Central Coast

When we told friends we were house sitting again and this time it was in Los Osos, California, they would follow-up with, “Where’s that?”  Well, I’d come back with, “Do you know where San Louis Obispo is?”  They’d respond, “No.”  Then I would finish with, “It’s about 2 hours north of LA.” and that usually ended that Geography Bee.  Now that I am here, I am learning the area we are in is part of the central coast…that area between San Francisco and Los Angeles.  The coastline, full of tiny towns and big scenery, like San Simeon (The Hurst Castle), Big Sur, Pismo Beach, Carmel, and Monterey.  And meandering along the coastline is Highway 1, a serpentine path that is a mecca for curve driving lovers, like motorcyclists.  I am shooting to cross that one off my bucket list shortly.

When we first signed on to TrustedHouseSitters.com to start this housesitting gig last year, one goal was to find one close to my sister, Betty, in Morro Bay, CA.  We missed one that was actually in Morro Bay, due to timing, but this one is just minutes away in the next little town south of her.  Los Osos, which roughly means “the bears,” helps explain that while on a recent walk down to the bay, we came across some art that has spread throughout the county.  Bear cows or cow bears or bows…whatever…they are similar to what Kansas City and other cities around the country have done, where artists put their spin on a statue that there are many of, then they are seen throughout the community.  In this case, a statue of a creature that is bear on the top half and cow on the bottom.  Hopefully before our time is over here, we will find out more about these bearows.  But at one time, a very long time ago, grizzly bears roamed freely in this part of the central coast, thus the name…Los Osos.

A newly erected paddle boarding bearcow
on the art scene in Baywood Park.

With my tonsil-less throat continuing to recover and the energy to explore our temporary home returning, we have been venturing out from the three cats we are caring for to discover why my sister has been here over 25 years.  Other than what seems to be consistent drought conditions, the weather here is really pleasant, coming from the heat of the Midwest.  50’s at night and 70’s during the day, the coast seems like the perfect place to be.  Inland a few miles and the heat intensifies significantly, so we will hug the coast as much as we can.  So far our days consist of walks around the neighborhood, usually past the bay (of Morro Bay) and checking out one of the many farmers markets…there is one almost everyday of the week within a reasonable distance.  And then yesterday, we headed up the coast to Cayucos, just a few miles away, to listen to a Bob Marley tribute band playing on the beach.  The activities in the area seem to be endless and with Cal Poly Tech (California Polytechnic State University) in San Louis Obispo, the college scene only compounds our choices.  With a number of golf courses within reach and hiking and bicycle trails nearby, festivals and scenery to take in, there will be no shortage of options.

A little reggae on the beach

One local option we finally explored yesterday was visiting the Elfin Forest.  Not the "F"-ing Forest, like it sounds.  No, the E l f in forest, elf-like small elusive, human-like creature elves...that kind of Elfin.  Anyway, if you walk seven blocks west of us, you run into the bay.  if you walk 4 blocks north of us, you run into the bay as well, but before you do, you must pass through the Elfin Forest.  You might surmise this forest is for small creatures, making it a smallish forest, but still unique.  The pictures describe it better than my words.

The path to the Elfin Forest...Morro Bay in the distance.

Doesn't look like much of a forest, huh?

But once inside these special areas you can appreciate the uniqueness.

The scrubby little wiry oaks provide a neat cover to disappear into.

We released the motorcycle from its cocoon in the trailer yesterday so we could take it up to the concert.  And while riding it up highway one, next to the beaches, I realized this was a bonus to my bucket list.  Riding Highway 1, on my motorcycle.  I’ve driven it in a car before, but if you love curves in a beautiful setting, other than Colorado, this ranks right up there to me.  And to do it on two wheels is just sooo….mmmmmmm!  Stay tuned.

Heading back from the concert on the beach along a stretch of heaven.

A sunset view from Betty's.

My Zen from the Road:  I’m learning (slowly but surely) that part of this whole housesitting thing isn’t just about going to explore new places, but the people that are part of this journey.  We are sitting for Mimi, who at this point in her life is an artist, but has such an interesting background.  Paula (pronounced Pow-la), a tenant of Mimi’s who occupies a small space in Mimi’s backyard and who owns her own beauty salon in town.  And even the nice folks that say hi to us on our walks each day.  This house sitting is a package deal and the more we do it, the more we get out of the package