August in Cambria

The time to plan a vacation is earlier rather than later.

That's why Bob and I have just reserved our own slice of Cambria, California for late August, right after the end of the Long Beach Municipal Band season.

We've spent the past 3 summers in Cambria enjoying ourselves while doing absolutely nothing but take naps, eat, take more naps, hiking a little, eating, then getting to bed so we can wake up and take more naps.

Naps. We like naps.

We're trying a new property this year:

We know we will enjoy this view:

Here is the living room:

I'm looking forward to curling up in this bedroom with a good book:



All this and more comes for the price of a medium okay hotel room.

Be sure to contact CambriaVacationRentals.com for your own slice of Cambria.

It is truly heavenly.

Grandma's Doggie Day Care

I had an exuberant greeting upon my arrival at my sister's house this morning.

Three smiling, feisty canines waited behind the front gate.

I had arrived at Grandma's Doggie Day Care.

Here is "Grandma" with Tim and Bethany's dog Chassie, Matt and Heather's dog Olive, and her resident dog Penny:

Grandma is teaching her charges manners:

And now for the reward:

What a treat it is to visit Grandma's Doggie Day Care!

Light Show

Picture from the San Luis Obispo Tribune


The remnants of Hurricane Dean did an end run on the Central Coast last night, completely blindsiding the weather forecasters.

I thought it was odd that someone was using a strobe light in the middle of the night. Earplugs kept the rumbling of thunder at bay until 2:30am when I was finally shaken awake.

The best part? The fragrance of rain! It has been many long, long months since I have been blessed by that.

Castle in the Clear

Bob and I drove the short 8 miles to Hearst Castle yesterday. When we arrived, the hill was completely shrouded in fog. We had scheduled a 3:40 tour, but there was room on the 1:40 tour instead. We gulped down some truly mediocre yet expensive food, then made our way onto our tour bus for the winding 5 mile trek up the hill.

Then something truly wonderful happened. The fog lifted to reveal breathtaking vistas of ocean, hills, and, of course, the Castle.

The tour guides that met us at the top said until that moment the grounds had been completely enveloped in mist. We were treated to clear, deep blue skies and very mild temperatures, unlike the 105 degrees reported a few days earlier.

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour of Mr. Hearst's "ranch". We both took lots of pictures. I'll post some when we find some DSL.

Today we plan to have no plans. We can sleep until tomorrow if we want. Maybe we will!

Foggy Walk

We strolled over to the East West Ranch yesterday afternoon. It was a cool, foggy afternoon so we donned sweatshirts and headed out.

It's a mile across the ranch to Marine Terrace along a beautifully accessible trail. We saw lots of pelicans and some seals. Still eluding us are sea otters and whales, although we've seen them here before.

We walked around Marine Terrace and down to the beach. The tide was in, and it was fun to watch the waves pound up to us.

We hiked back across the ranch using the upper dog and bike trail. It has been completely graded and groomed into a wide swath which doubles as a fire road. Dogs are allowed off their leashes here, and several were romping about.

Dogs weren't the only thing out yesterday. We encountered a coyote shadowing the trail. It was amazing how its coat blended in so perfectly with its surroundings. We got the feeling that it was on the prowl for delicious brisket of dachshund or fillet of Fifi. Fortunately, none were to be had.



We made a quick trip into town for some sherry from Fermentations. Then we parked ourselves in front of the fire for a quiet evening of reading and crosswords.

I took myself into the palatial bathroom, filled the jacuzzi tub with warm water and bubbles, lit a bunch of candles, and read Ruth Reichl's "Garlic and Sapphires" for an hour and a half. Believe me, I've never sat in a tub that long before! It was wonderful. I'm thinking of doing it again tonight!

We're off to Hearst Castle this afternoon. Bob has never been there, so we're taking Tour One. I'll let you know how it goes if I can get this incredibly spotty dial-up connection to behave.

Meanwhile, it's time to sit and breathe the clean sea air.

Later!

Our Piece of Quiet

Bob and I are enjoying our piece of quiet up here in Cambria.

I went into the bedroom last night and thought, "What's that noise?" It was the sound of the ocean waves breaking.

I could hear the sea lions barking in the distance as I lay down for a nap yesterday. From our bed you can see the ocean and the ranch.

It is supremely peaceful and very quiet here.

We are drinking it in.

I tried in vain to upload a picture using this dial-up.

You'll have to use your imaginations.

Gotta go.

It's nap time!

A Time To Sit Down

A week from today I'm going to sit myself down on this bench with my dear husband Bob and drool.

Drooling is the most effort I hope to expend while vacationing in beautiful Cambria, California.

I love my job. I love playing for thousands of people a week. I love my university teaching jobs.

However, I need a break.

So Bob and I will be heading for the peaceful Central Coast next week.

We are planning days of recreational eating, reading, walking on Moonstone Beach and the East West Ranch, and lots and lots of naps.

Maybe I'll blog.

Maybe I won't.

Meanwhile, Muni Band Week 8 begins tomorrow.

See you in the park!

Dreaming of Cambria

Three weeks from today will find us in Cambria.

It's grand to have something to look forward to!

Dogs of the Central Coast

I have more piratey pictures from Disneyland, but first things first.

I've long been promising a "Dogs of the Central Coast" blog post.

Wait no more!

Meet the head dog:

Penny (above) belongs to my sister Christy and her family. A rescue dog, she currently resides in Atascadero, California.

Next meet Chassie in her running shoes:

She was named after the car part.

She currently resides in Templeton with my niece, SLO Lurker Bethany, and Bethany's husband Tim:

There is a new addition to the Dogs of the Central Coast.

Meet Olive:

Olive is also a rescue dog. Originally named "Jasper", Olive currently resides in Paso Robles with my niece Heather and Heather's husband Matt (not pictured - he was coaching a game):

Olive and Penny have their second meeting:

Penny was so patient and kind with Olive. Olive got brave and started chewing on Penny's beard. Penny took it like the patient "aunt" that she is.

Here is Grandma Christy with the latest in doggie grand dogs:

I love my doggie grand nieces!

Next up, more Pirates...

Sisterly Lunch In Paso Robles

Christy and I left Mason at home exploring unknown galaxies and headed to Paso Robles.

We were meeting our sister Janine for her birthday lunch.

Jani had never eaten Thai food so we met at Basil Thai Restaurant in Downtown Paso Robles.

Christy had eaten here before...

...but Janine and I were first time visitors:

I ordered the Pineapple Rice.

I wanted to play with the pineapple:

Janine was served complimentary "fish sticks" and ice cream.

(Those were really fried bananas which were unbelievably delicious)

We strolled around to corner to check out the new luxury hotel in town:

This is the reception area...

...which leads out into a private enclosed courtyard:

Christy and Janine lounged about like tourists:

We weren't looking so relaxed at 11:15am on December 22, 2003.

We were sitting in Park Cinemas waiting to see "Return of the King" when a killer 6.5 earthquake struck.

We exited the theater, looked to the right, and this is what we saw (photo from CNN website):

Things were looking much better today:

This is the Clock Tower building that collapsed:

Downtown is so beautiful now:

The Clock Tower has been restored:

We spent the afternoon strolling around and shopping.

The Wine Festival is next weekend.

Come check it out.

You won't be disappointed.

Central Coast Chillin'

I arrived safely in Atascadero yesterday afternoon, right before the huge brush fire broke out in LA.

I am gratefully breathing clean, fresh air and soaking up the peace and quiet.



We have given ourselves over to casual grazing of delicious Trader Joe's cuisine...



...and Farmer's Market produce:

More later (possibly a lot later).

I've got some eyelids I need to check for holes...