Parting Shots

The time has come.  Beth is enroute from Springfield, MO to join me for our cruise home. She will hit the central coast of California just before midnight and we will turn around and hit the road before the sun comes up after a few short hours of shut-eye.  But...before we go, I had a few days with Betty and some time cruising around town on my bike.  Here are some parting shots of Morro Bay...

I am a softy for animals behind the wheel.

These VW Westfalia's (Westy's) are all over the place, the older the better.

The Presidential election is around the corner, but that also means my sister's run for Mayor of Morro Bay is coming up as well.  Through the grape vine, she seems to have a good chance...stay tuned.

One of the flyers Betty is taking door to door.

Here, she is about to go on the air with the Dave Congalton talk radio show in SLO.

Walking the neighborhoods with Betty, I got to see such different landscaping.  Some crazy looking flora and I couldn't relocate some of the craziest, but here are a few.

This one could be a Missouri bloomer, but I am into my water drops on flowers.

My last Morro Bay day I cruised around town before the sunset, had some fish and chips and chowder, and saw some witches on the water.

The jetty protecting the bay saw some bigger wave action and drew the tourists
out for photo ops...not me but other tourists.

Since Betty kept me full, I had to get a kids meal for dinner.  I went to the best
place on the embaradero.  I knew this because it said so on the side of the building!
It was very good!

After dinner I cruised the shops one more time
and saw this in a window.
(Thought of you KS!)

So I'm minding my own business, walking down the embarcadero, I look out to the bay and notice a black spot in the distance on the water.  I waited and waited and finally the hair in the back of my neck raised and I got chills as if a cold wind blew right through me and the following pics tell the story...

The black spot on the water turned into a witch on a stand up paddle board.

They multiplied...

Then they came after me and I went the other way!  I don't mess with witches.

The "Rock," being the last of the "9 Sisters" (or first depending on your orientation) is the "plug" that gets most of the attention of the sisters.  It is just such a unique landmark and I couldn't stop taking photos of it, so here are my final shots before placing my lens cover on last time while visiting the west coast...for now.

Okay, this does not have the Rock in it, but it's just out of the frame to the left.

So long Rock, plug, Sister #9 (or #1?)...til next time.


My Zen from the Road:  My time here started with the thought that this is a good place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live here.  Why you might wonder?  The water, the surrounding hill, the sunsets, the fresh produce that is EVERYWHERE...  It is just so different from what I am use to...the architecture (lots of flat roofs), the landscaping (lots of succulents), and the sand that seems to be everywhere and in everything.  Well, after six weeks, this place has grown on me and my attitude has softened.  I could live here.  What has kept a for sale sign from popping up in my front yard in Missouri, is a small-ish house in my sisters neighborhood, that would most likely sell for $90,000 in MO, goes for half a million here in the Golden State!  That, I can't wrap my brain around.  But I am glad I was able to open my mind a bit to consider the possibilities.


Bonus...
There seems to be no one that my sister does not know here (almost).  I can only associate my sister's time here with my time as a teacher.  After that many years teaching, its hard to go out around town and not see a former student.  Anyway, one of Betty's neighbors down the street, had a limb that fell from a tree next to their house and we went down to help them clean it up.  It turns out that this couple has been in the area longer than Betty, by a fair amount.  It turns out they have some property up in the hills around Cayucos, just north of Morro Bay.  We were invited to take a quick jaunt to check it out.  Along the way, as Betty and Bill visited about the goings on around town, I was schooled on some of the history we were touching as we headed inland a bit.  Both properties had great views of the water and relatively close to town.  The photo below was from the peak of their larger property.  It was breath taking and the photo does not do it justice.  But what was cooler to me is that Bill, was the catalyst that began stand up paddle boarding back in the day.  I've not rubbed elbows with too many people (none) that were at the beginning of something that "took off," but since it involved something that I am into, it made it that much more special to have crossed paths.

The Rock is left of center, in the clouds.

Butterflies, Biking, Beaches, and Byes

While visiting here on the west coast, Beth and I have done almost as much as a body can do without establishing residency here in SLO County, but look hard enough and there is always more and some to repeat! 

So, back to Pismo we go, not to In-N-Out Burgers, but to check out the return of the Monarch butterflies.  They love their butterflies around here!  Thousands and thousands hit this miniscule spot on the map, a small grove of Eucalyptus trees, just south of Pismo Beach, escaping the colder temps from whence they came.  They winter here, along with a few other precious places along the coast, from late October through February.  This variety of Monarch has a lifespan of 6 mos., instead of the shorter 6 weeks for common Monarchs.  Even still, the butterflies that are here will never return, but their offspring will…gotta love science.  When clustered in the trees, they form small butterfly sheets while literally “hanging out.“  It offers them warmth and safety from the wind.  When they hang, they overlap their wings to form a more sturdy “structure,” like shingles on a roof.  (That’s all the rephrasing from FAQ’s on their website and Butterfly Grove docents!).  Go Monarchs!

An entry in the "CowParade" (when cities sponsor art on cow decoys and
spread them around town to be viewed) in SLO county.  This ButterCow,
found in Pismo, championing the Monarchs return.

Me at the grove and I am really not wearing a butterfly hat...not really into that!

The butterflies are not yet here in these numbers yet, but I borrowed a photo
to give you the idea of scale when I say thousands and thousands and thousands...

Another attraction that sadistically drew me back time and time again was riding my bike in Morro Bay State Park, where Beth and I did our first hike/climb.  After the first time I rode a few trails and had to get off and push my bike up a few steep sections, it became a challenge to not get off my bike and hammer it out.  Hammer it out I did and have ridden it a handful of times without getting off, but breathing like an asthmatic in a field of pollinating flowers.  I’m sure I will do it again before heading home, cause I evidently like breathing hard.  I also road my bike, with a motor, back to Paso Robles.  The urge came from Highway 46.  A winding, climbing, picturesque byway that leads to wine country.  And the hunt for a particular kind of wine for a friend back home.  Plus I had to ride fast, because for the second time since we've been here, rain was on its way.  So beauty + curves + speed (but not too fast) + a purpose = a memorable two hour ride!

One last look at the reason I breath heavily...to get to this view!

Can you find Tiki rock?  It's almost like
being on Easter Island.

My wine hunt lead me to Castoro Cellars,
that happened to also have a cow on parade.
This one obviously having gone to a few
tastings and now showing his Frisbee prowess
among the vines.

Vine-lined walkway leading to my treasure.

My motorcycle awaits while I throw a little disc with the Winecow.  So good!

We said goodbye to Mimi and our housesit, as she found her way home from France and took over care of her 3 babies (cats) and settled back into life at sea level.  I also said goodbye to Beth as she traveled back home to spend time with her son as they celebrate Parent’s Weekend where he goes to school, Halloween, and Drew’s 21st birthday!  Sounds like a trifecta that will lead to a little hair of the dog (he says out of jealousy)!  When we travel, our time is so concentrated together, that when Beth is not there, there is definitely an empty space around me.  Because of our differences, I feel we balance each other out.  So while she is gone, I can easily say that I am out of balance!  But in a few days, I will again be balanced.  In the meantime, it’s kinda hard walking around lopsided!  

Leaving from the SLO airport, Beth places her
baggage on a cart, where the passengers are
the baggage handlers.

Never saw a pilot, so maybe the passengers drew straws for that job.  That's
a small airpot!  I think the fuel tanker had the QT logo on its' side!

The beach continues to be a source of surprises.  We go for the sun (Beth), relaxation (because we can), and the unknown.  One day from a distance (not on the beach) we noticed a helicopter going back and forth in one area.  Turns out there was a shark sighting. Another day we were on the beach and a surfer dude came in for a quick alcoholic hit before heading back out.  His stash was close to us, so we (Beth) started up a quick Q and A about surfing, then he headed back to join his buddies.  When asked about sharks he said, "Yeah, there out there." and headed back out.  And one day, four horses crossed in front of us, because they can.  I now get the saying, "Life's a Beach!"

Beth seeks the sun, I seek not the sun...
can you tell by our towel positions?

In the last few days since Beth's departure, I headed for the campground to try out our trailer turned Taj Mahtoyhauler.  I added a fold down bed in the cargo trailer, we haul the motorcycle in, to make it more versatile.  Translation...cheaper to camp while on the road, while dragging the motorcycle along for kicks.  It also stores the bicycles and tubs of stuff.

Setting up camp in Morro Bay State Park.  Just so happens that across the
street was a school group (20+)  on a campout.  Thank goodness for quiet
hours starting at 10 pm!

Sliding screen door (sort of) to protect from
bugs, which there are none at this time of year.

We experienced food from Costco to an upscale downtown bistro.  The SLO Costco was unbelievable!  Not a parking spot within a hundred yards in all directions.  Due to a climate made in heaven, their "food court" was outside the building with more tables than a decent sized restaurant.  Four or so lines, at least 10 deep, Beth and I decided to partake and waited for that good Costco menu to come into focus.  Once it did, we chose pizza.  Once we got seated, and blotted off the grease, it was doable.  Once was enough!

The photo does not do it justice, probably due to the number of people
in line blocking out the sun.  But in the shadows are throngs of starving
Costco patrons...like us that day.  I think we ate for under $5. Not bragging,
just sharing.

To the other end of that spectrum, we went to Novo, in the heart of downtown SLO.  A friend of Beth's from San Francisco (formerly Lee's Summit), and now mine, gave us this gift after visiting back in the summer, knowing we would be in the area now...so thoughtful!  Unlike visiting the Costco food court, I traded my shorts for pants and my t-shirt for one with a collar.  Even though we spent 20 times as much at Novo, you might have guessed it tasted 20 times better as well.

Would you believe I paid to have the whole restaurant to ourselves.
(Stop laughing Beth!)

The last bit of a chocolate concoction we
took home to Betty.  By the looks of the plate,
you can tell we worked it over pretty well!

After dinner we strolled into a historic mission
getting ready for Mass.

My Zen from the Road:  With time here running out, I am starting to think of what I would like to do before heading east.  I am finding it revolves around the things I don’t have back home…the plants and animals, sand, and water (massive amounts of it).  The plants here are so, so different…succulent-like.  Some of the angriest looking plants, thorny and unfriendly-ish, have the most delicate, colorful, and surprisingly unique looking flowers shooting out of the middle of them.  The animals of course are the likes of sea otters, elephant seals, and whales.  Different from the norm is good!  And finally, the beach…the sand and crashing waves provide the perfect environment to read and of course that leads to sleep (for me anyway)!  Oh…and of course…Betty.  Like the others on my list, seeing her in her element makes our visit here a little more special.  All will be missed and sought out again.

Down the street from our housesit, sunsets over the bay...

Maturity, Loss, and the Countdown Begins

I apparently did not get the sleep gene from my dad.  He had the genetic skill set that allowed him to begin snoring almost as soon as his head neared his pillow and was able to fall asleep in a chair with a good record of not falling out of it.  Me on the other hand will normally chew over the day’s events when I lay down, like a cow with their cud, before fading in to a slumber.  I don’t usually mind it because I get to put a few ideas to bed (pun intended) and on occasion will come up with a good idea I can put aside for later (or spend the rest of the night thinking about).

But with maturity comes age, or is it with age comes maturity?  Either way, within the last few years, it appears as though it also comes with the dreaded night pee.  Yep, getting up in the middle of the night to take a little pressure off the bladder.  I actually Googled the issue and found more reasons for it than you could shake a stick (or anything else) at.  But that’s not where this is headed.

Last night, while trying to jump back on the sleep wagon after a detour to the loo, out of nowhere my thoughts landed on the fact that after Miki passed, it seems as though most of my empathy was directed inward rather than out toward all those she touched throughout the course of her lifetime.  As I laid awake I tried to imagine my close friends, Miki’s family, and neighbors as they dealt with her absence and the loss they felt.  Then expanding that ripple outward to other friends, co-workers, students and their families she became involved with.  From an acquaintance to a childhood friend to the student’s families where she was allowed into their home to intervene and try to help with a behavior issue, I knew they were grieving along side me, but last nights thoughts brought out a deeper layer of empathy that had not occurred to me.  I felt as though I could feel a little more of what they could have been going through being in their shoes.  May I say now, that I am sorry for your loss and that it took me so long to get here.

So if a little loss of sleep can bring about good things, so can coming to the end of a house sit.  Toward the end of each stay, wherever it has been, there is a bit of inner pull back towards home.  Like a gravitational force that leads us back to our stuff, our bed, our friends, our bills.  It has begun.  During the next few days, we will start to transition from honorary resident to visitor again.  There is cleaning to do, packing to coordinate, and travel plans to revisit.  This time also allows for a retrospective moment or twenty.  We still have some beach time ahead, I have some golf, and more, but one thing has become evident.  We have been lucky to meet and in some cases share a meal with some of Betty’s friends.  They all comment on what an asset she is to the community and a friend she is to them.  That has been fun to witness and brings out the sibling pride.   Way to go Betts!

We also share a connection with the animals we have been caring for.  After we leave, we continue to picture them and their daily routine.  We don’t necessarily miss the hairballs and other surprises, but they stay with us and can see them laying in the sunshine, under a bush, or listening to them “talking” up a storm…looking for a good scratchin’.

We’ve been good tourists, leaving a good portion of our budget behind.  We’ve been good residents, putting out the trash each week, reading the local paper, and keeping up on current local events.  Now we just need to be good travelers and enjoy the journey home.

One more thing.  Beth and I were given the opportunity to attend the opera La Bohème recently.  Having never been to one, it was very educational.  I learned that I am slow with subtitles.  I easily got distracted by the conductor, members of the audience, the décor of the auditorium and its acoustics, etc…  But I did make it through and actually got a second wind to get into the last act, or was it the beginning of the end?  I did take away an appreciation for those that love the opera.  The man behind me took the golf clap to a raucous new level at each opportunity to serenade those on stage for their performance after each act and at the conclusion put an interesting emphasis on the syllables of the word “bravo.”  It was a good experience, thank you Mimi.  It makes our differences all the more valuable and us unique.  Note to self…yelling “bravo” is for applauding the males performance and “brava” for the females…maybe that’s where I went wrong.

A special shout out to Beth’s son Drew, as he turns 21 today.  We wish him a safe and memorable birthday!

Other stuff that has kept us busy...

Betty took us to a local melodrama that began
at Klondike Pizza, where we were greeted by
a chicken roosting on the door.

The pizza joint was very festive and the floor covered in peanut shells.

We spent a day wining in Paso Robles.  Find the mascot of this winery.

Another area, another winery...this one grew walnut trees along with grapes.

Does that look like a giant heart on the hill?  It is a small grove of trees.

On the way home...the Rock in the distance.

Another great sunset at Montana de Oro.

The tide pools revealed a sea urchin waiting for high tide to return.

What a cute beach comber!

My Zen from the Road:  Notice the top right corner in the photo below...I've not seen that in print before...I need to get out more.