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...