Paul and Julie on the Road: JULY 17-JULY 30, 2012

Yes, we were back in San Luis AGAIN for a few days...and for me, that meant time with friends in between the appointments we had. As always a stay at Jim and Carolyn's meant a morning walk with Carolyn, Foster and her visiting doggie, Molly. Thursday morning we met up with Linda and Annette for a beautiful hike at the Johnson Ranch property, a 3.5 mile roundtrip hike through oak groves and along a trickling creek. The trail is shared by hikers, mountain bikers and cows.

That afternoon Paul and I moved the motorhome to Oceano Beach County Park for a beautiful sunny afternoon and evening along the beach. Then packed up again the next morning for a stay at Cachuma Lake near Santa Barbara. The valley had heated up again but we found a shady site and enjoyed walks and bike rides early morning and evening.

We needed to be back to Santa Maria by Sunday night and decided to try out the Santa Maria Elks Lodge for a 2 night stay. We've driven by that lodge for years but this was our first stay. We were surprised that there are actually 2 areas of camping. Since the full hook up area was already fully reserved we set up further back in a quieter area and, as always, nice neighbors to chat with.

Tuesday morning it was time to move once again. This time to the Avila KOA Park for just one night. We've stayed only a couple of times at KOA parks, this was fine for being close to Avila, but sites were too close together. One thing a private park offers is a pool and jacuzzi which Paul enjoyed. Tuesday afternoon, Sheri came by for a visit and a wonderful chance to catch up and our photo op.

We were up early Wednesday morning for a visit from Dave and Kathy Moore and MaryJo Devitt. Kathy and Dave had just returned from a fabulous trip to the midwest with their beautiful Air Stream trailer. Paul and Dave always have lots to talk about when it comes to travel life. We've had fun this past year connecting with them at some of our camping sites. Since it was Wednesday morning, it was time for Kathy, Maryjo and me to meet up with our Breakfast Club at Avila's Woodstone Deli. While I enjoyed hanging out with friends in Avila and then at Diane's house, Paul packed up our house and moved us up the coast to San Simeon State Park.

The day was warm and so pretty. I stopped to walk Foster along Atascadero Beach and then got on up to San Simeon.

Sunset from the top of Washburn Campground was beautiful!

We have always been addicted to driving Highway One from Cambria to Monterey so it only seemed natural to try doing it with the motorhome. Yes...this time WE'D be that huge, slow moving vehicle that every one wishes would hurry up and get out of the way. But we were delighted that by leaving early enough Friday morning we had so few cars and the road was almost deserted. The skies stayed cloudy but that seemed fitting for the coast in summer.

Not only was the road narrow and windy but we came upon road construction of a brand new tunnel at one of the most damaged parts of the road. Rain storms cause landslides every year and this part of the road finally needed some drastic construction. As we looked at the gravel path ahead, it looked a little tight for us, but Paul did so well getting through.

We never tire of this drive and since we probably won't be in California for a while it was wonderful to see the spectacular scenery we've come to know so well. I've always marveled at the construction of Highway One...who were the men who built this gorgeous road?

Here's some of what I learned...With combined federal and state funds, the highway was begun in 1919. San Quentin Prison set up three temporary prison camps to provide the labor for the road. One was set up by Little Sur River, one at Kirk Creek an the last was established at Anderson Creek. Inmates were paid 35 cents per day and their prison sentences reduced in rerun for their hard work. Locals like John Steinbeck also worked on the road. There are 33 bridges constructed along the road with the most famous being Bixby Rainbow Bridge at Big Sur. Hard to imagine eight hundred twenty-five trucks bringing yards and yards of concrete to create that amazing bridge.

So, to the ingenuity and hard work of these men so many years ago, I say, Thank You! How lucky we are to have one of the most Scenic Drives in the world right in our back yard. And, a Thank You to PK, for taking the challenge of driving our motorhome; being so high up gave us spectacular views.

We had a one night reservations at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park another favorite place of ours. We knew that our motorhome length of 32' would make it harder for camping, and this time it was true. Our reserved site was under a beautiful oak tree...but that became our problem, a low branch that we couldn't get around. Back to the kiosk I went to find another site with no trees. Not as pretty as our reserved site, but still surrounded by redwoods and oaks. The day never cleared and in fact was getting colder which is unusual for big Sur. After a couple of walks we spent the afternoon up on the patio at Ventana Restaurant around a fireplace.

From Big Sur we drove on to Monterey and a visit with Frank and Maria. Always like coming home. We had a wonderful 3 days visiting back and forth from our Monterey Elks camping site. The Olympics were just starting so we enjoyed watching the day's events each evening after a wonderful "Maria dinner" together. Paul hung this squirrel feeder for Maria, but those smart little squirrels stayed away as long as Mr. Foster was on guard in the yard. Once we left, the corn cobs were being devoured.