Heading for the Ocean - Big, Big, I mean really Big City - Back to the Rock

 Back in October of 25 I decided to make another trip to my favorite beach town, Morro Bay, California. I've been coming here since 2014 and love the vibe of the town as well as it's access to hiking, beach walks and wine country.

 I found a 3 bed, 2 bath house on VRBO and since it was six months out, got a great daily rate on the place for a months rental. So on the 25th of March I headed out from Silver Cliff and went West. 

 Since I left well before my April 1st check in date, I stopped in Durango for a night to visit my friend Mary. The next day I traveled through the Navajo Nation for a night in Flagstaff, then onto the LA region to spend a couple of days with my friends the Stouts. 

 Sally and Bill and I had spent a couple days in Morro last year as well as another trip back in 2022 and they had planned to join me for a weekend this time in Morro Bay as well. 

While in Rossmoor, the Stouts and I went down to San Diego (Pacific Beach to be specific). The UC Santa Barbara rowing team was at a regatta and had planned a 50th anniversary celebration. Bill had been the first women's coach back in the early 70's so they asked him and other original members to speak to the current team.

 

It took over two hours of Friday afternoon traffic to reach PB. On the way back after dinner at In and Out I took this picture of southbound traffic at around 7:30. Yikes, still backed up.

 I left them on Monday the 30th and spent two nights in the Buellton/Solvang area. Solvang bills itself as the "Danish Capitol of America". Cute little town but it was Spring Break while I was there so lots and lots of tourists.

 

 

 One of the many "Windmills" in Solvang

 

The entrance to Mission Santa Ines in Solvang

 

On the 2nd day I found a nice winery outside of town called Buttonwood. Very nice lady working the tasting room. Originally from NY she lived in LA as a stock broker for many years. She was very generous with the pours and I found a couple of wines, one of which I had never had before, a Grenache Blanc. Very tasty. 

 

The Buttonwood Winery outdoor tasting area.

 I also found a nice little Santa Barbara Park featuring the Nojoqui Falls. Not much of a hike in but very nice setting. 

 On the 1st I headed over to Morro Bay, taking back roads out of Buellton since I had a check in time of 3PM. Lots of wineries in the Los Olivos AVA. Zaca Mesa, Fess Parker to name a couple. I continued on to Santa Maria and got on the 101 heading North to Morro Bay.

 It was about 2 PM by the time I rolled into town so I cruised by the house to check it out. Several trash cans were in the driveway so I thought that maybe someone might be there so I checked out a park nearby and then went to the Foghorn Brewhouse for a beer and nachos. Both very good by the way.

Checked again a 2:40 or so and the cans had been moved so I got the key out of the lock box and made my self at home. Nice place with a nice deck. The house was a little musty smelling, I guess from little use. Looking at the guest book it didn't appear to be rented since December.

 

 

The house in Morro Bay.

 Had a couple days before The Stouts were to drive up from LA. Bought supplies, walked along the Embarcadaro out to the Rock and back to the harbor. Found a new wine tasting place called Central Coast Wines. And of course, beach walks.

 

 The Stouts arrived on Friday afternoon and we had a nice dinner at Dorn's. Very nice place, very crowded with the spring breakers.

 Bill and Sally both love going to antique stores, so they did a couple of those, we did the Saturday Morro Bay Farmers market and had a nice dinner on the deck on a beautiful evening before they headed back the next morning to prepare for their summer in Colorado.