San Luis Obispo: Third Week - Visitors Week

When I last wrote, Terry and Jeannie had just arrived in town, having gotten out of the Twin Cities just as the temperatures plummeted to unspeakable negativity.  As they exited the terminal at the Santa Barbara airport, their smiles were as bright as the blue California skies and as warm as the balmy temperatures.

(A click on any photo gives you a full screen look.)

 

Terry and Jeannie find their rhythm.

To liven things even more, Jan Search arrived via Amtrak on Sunday night from San Diego, where she had been visiting her father.  Monday was a full day.  We began with our own Inaugural Breakfast - fresh fruit, Carol's superb special recipe pancakes, gourmet coffee and mimosas!  We watched the inauguration and toasted the start of President Obama's second term.  Wasn't Richard Bianco's poem moving? 

 As soon as the president left and the dishes were done, we took a good hike in Irish Hills, to a summit with splendid views of the countryside, Morro Rock and Morro Bay.  Jan noted animal tracks which we speculated just might be cougar tracks (or the yeti!), but concluded that more than likely were of the canine variety.  Back to the house for lunch and a brief rest, and then we were off for a gentler walk along the coastal shoreline.

 

Irish Hills Hike, Top of the Mountain

What was it???

Irish Hills

Jan found her rhythm, too.

 Another rest, and we were off to downtown SLO for an excellent dinner at Cioppinot.  They specialize in the seafood stew, cioppino, and also boast of a wine list featuring literally dozens of pinot noirs.  Hence, the cute restaurant name.  I, of course, had to order the featured entrée, which came in my very own personal Le Creuset pot.

 

As suddenly as Jan arrived, she departed.  We dropped her at the Amtrak station early the next morning.  Terry, Jeannie, Carol and I were left to soldier on.  We managed nicely for the rest of the week.  The highlight, in my humble opinion, was our trip up the coast on Wednesday.  We started with a tour of Hearst Castle, something I never thought I would do.  I have to admit that it was pretty interesting and informative.  The strongest image I am left with is the up-close and personal, multi-sensory encounter with outrageous wealth.  William Randolph Hearst was not the wealthiest man in America, but touring this castle and being immersed in the trappings of his unimaginable riches gave flesh and blood meaning to the term, "the one percent" or ".1 percent" or whatever way you wish to parse it.

 

Hearst Castle

Hearst's Front Yard

 

Hearst's Back Yard

Hearst Farm - Prime Beef

From the Hearst Castle we visited the migrating elephant seals.  Thousands of these massive creatures take over the beaches near Piedras Blancas each winter, to mate and give birth before returning to their migration.  I could watch them for hours.

Mama and Pup

Mama and Pup II

A Difference of Opinion

Whose harem is it?

We weren't done yet.  We continued up the coast into Big Sur where we negotiated the spectacular twisting, climbing Route 1 and found a beach to wander for a while.

 

Big Sur

Big Sur

By the time we got home, we were pretty tired and settled for good old untouristy take-out pizza.

The first (and only, thus far) rainy day of our stay in San Luis Obispo was Thursday.  We drove Terry and Jeannie down to Santa Barbara for lunch at the Savoy and then to the airport for their return flight to Minneapolis.  Carol navigated us on a back road return route that took us through Los Olivos, where we visited some wine tasting rooms.

 

Even rainy days are lovely in California.

The rain moves inland.

 Red sky at night, hikers' delight.

 The guests are gone, and we're back to our routine for the waning days of our stay.  Walk the dog, linger over breakfast, perhaps a coffee shop visit to get a New York Times.  Then a lengthy afternoon hike.  Movie?  Maybe.  Winery visit?  More likely than not.  Dinner out?  If we wish.  Read?  Nap?  You bet.

I put the bikes up for sale on Craigslist Saturday afternoon.  I sold them both by Saturday night for the same price we paid for them.  Craigslist is so cool.

 Laguna Hills on a morning dog walk.

 Talley Vineyards

 Talley Vineyards

Reflection

Pier at Cayucos

We're off to downtown SLO in a few minutes to launch Week Four - walk around, lunch at Big Sky, visit the art museum, window shop and hang out with the locals.