Lake Tahoe - 06/26/16 - Truckee, CA

Sunday – June 26, 2016
Martis Creek Lake Recreation Area
Alpine Meadows COE Campground
Truckee, California

PICTURES AND VIDEO TO BE ADDED SOON

We are so happy to depart the Redhawk Casino in Placerville, California. On this occasion free camping had it’s downside. RV's were required to park in a bus parking area that is located adjacent to the casino's enclosed parking garage. Music is piped throughout the parking garage area, 24/7. If the music doesn’t eventually frazzle your nerves, then perhaps the almost-constant noise from vehicles and motorcycles entering and leaving the garage will accomplish that task. Since the enclosed garage area provides an excellent echo chamber, there are some folks who love to rev their engines so everyone can enjoy the roar from their loud mufflers. We did eventually get a good nights rest, but, in our opinion, this casino is definitely not set up to accommodate suitable, overnight parking for RV's.

This segment of our trip takes us to Lake Tahoe, California. Our original plan was to camp at a campground in South Lake Tahoe. Upon our arrival at the campground we were informed the campground would be closed from 06/27/16 through 07/01/16, while the area was sprayed to kill off an infestation of mites. These mites are carried by the chipmunks that inhabit the campground. The mite infestation, plus the congestion in the area prompted us to keep on traveling.

South Lake Tahoe is a popular tourist destination with the resultant, annoying traffic congestion. This is not our idea of a fun-filled adventure! We move on! Quickly!

We travel north on CA-89, along the west side of Lake Tahoe and discover almost the entire route is inundated with resorts, most of them obstructing the view of the lake. Occasionally we catch a glimpse of Lake Tahoe. We continue our travel on CA-28 around the north end of Lake Tahoe and take the exit to CA-267. This route takes us north to the Martis Creek Lake Recreation Area near Truckee, California.

Within the Martis Creek Lake Recreation Area is an Army Corps of Engineering (COE) campground: Alpine Meadows. This will be our homebase while we explore the area.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Placerville, California
Departure Time: 8:55 P.M.
Arrived: Truckee, California
Arrival Time: 1:25 P.M.

Campground: Alpine Meadows
Type: Army Corps of Engineer (COE)
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 39.32846
Longitude: W 120.12200
Elevation: 5,871 Feet
Camping Fee: $20.00 (50% discount with Senior Pass)
Campsite: 4
Campsite Hookups: None
Campground Amenities: Vault Toilets, Water Spigots
Total Campsites: 25

Cellular Service: Verizon – 4G-4 Bars
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – 5 Bars
Dish TV Satellite Service: Excellent Service

Total miles traveled today: 121
Route Traveled:
East on US-50
North on CA-89
East on CA-28
North on CA-267

Redhawk Casino - 06/25/16 - Placerville, CA

Saturday – June 25, 2016
Redhawk Casino
Placerville, California

As we were preparing to depart the Island Park (COE) Campground near Sanger, California… a slight mishap occurred. Sharon was inside the trailer securing the usual items for travel, while I was outside preparing to hookup the trailer to our tow vehicle. As I was jacking up the trailer, the foot of the jack slipped off the plastic blocks and the trailer swung sideways off of the blocks and hit the ground. Fortunately, no harm was done to Sharon, me or the trailer, but another valuable lesson was learned.

Our trailer has a single axle.

I use a BAL wheel chock that compresses against both sides of the tire, on one side of the trailer, to secure the trailer from moving while I jack the front end up off of the receiver hitch ball. I have been doing it this way for the past 8 years, since we purchased the trailer new in May 2008. What happened is as I jacked the trailer up, the unchocked wheel started to move putting enormous stress on the chocked wheel. The trailer was parked on a cement pad and it shifted on an angle of about one foot after it cleared the plastic blocks and the foot of the jack hit the cement parking pad. I now chock both wheels and put an abrasive pad between the foot of the jack and the plastic blocks. Who knew? Obviously, I didn’t! Hopefully, this experience may help other campers who only chock one wheel on one side of their single-axle trailers.

After our unfortunate mishap with hitching the trailer we had an uneventful trip to our destination for the night: the Redhawk Casino in Placerville, California. Free Camping! Free is Good!

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Sanger, California
Departure Time: 12:45 P.M.
Arrived: Placerville, California
Arrival Time: 6:30 P.M.

Campground: Redhawk Casino
Type: Casino
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 38.69437
Longitude: W 120.90677
Elevation: 1,513 Feet
Camping Fee: Free
Campsite: NA
Campsite Hookups: None
Campground Amenities: Flush Toilets in Casino
Total Campsites: About 20

Cellular Service: Verizon – 4G-2 Bars
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – 5 Bars
Dish TV Satellite Service: No Service (Casino blocking southern sky)

Total miles traveled today: 232
Route Traveled:
West on CA-180
North on CA-99
East on US-50 to Casino

Island Park RA - 06/20/16 - Sanger, CA

Monday – June 20, 2016
Island Park Recreation Area
Sanger, California

What a difference the elevation has on the temperature. Since June 5^th we been camping at elevations of 6500 to 6700 feet and enjoying daytime temperatures in the low to middle 70’s, with nighttime temperatures in the low to middle 40’s.

We are now camping at the Island Park Campground near Sanger, California. The elevation here is 990 feet. The daytime temperatures are in the low 100’s and the nighttime temperatures are in the low to middle 60’s. Low Dew Points in the middle 30’s make sitting outside, in the shade, quite tolerable. This is an Army Corps of Engineering (COE) campground and our campsite has electric, water and sewer hookups, so we run the air conditioner during the day, as needed.

Our stay in Sanger was prompted by a need to pick up a refilled prescription medication for Sharon. Since our campsite has full hookups we decided to pamper ourselves and spend five days here.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Oakhurst, California
Departure Time: 9:45 A.M.
Arrived: Sanger, California
Arrival Time: 2:30 P.M.

Campground: Island Park
Type: Army Corps of Engineer (COE)
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 36.86464
Longitude: W 119.31573
Elevation: 990 Feet
Camping Fee: $30.00 (50% discount with Golden Age Pass)
Campsite: 7
Campsite Hookups: Electric, Water, Sewer
Campground Amenities: Flush Toilets, Pay Showers
Total Campsites: 97

Cellular Service: Verizon – No Service
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – No Service
Dish TV Satellite Service: Excellent Service

Total miles traveled today: 107
Route Traveled:
South on California Highway 41
East on California Highway 180
North on Academy Avenue
East on Belmont Avenue (turns into Trimmer Springs Road)
North on Trimmer Springs Road to Island Park Campground

The Jones Store - 06/16/16 - Beasore Meadows, CA

Thursday – June 16, 2016
The Jones Store
Beasore Meadows Campground
Oakhurst, California

As cattle were driven to the rich mountain grasses in eastern Madera County, Tom Jones saw a need to supply the drovers with staples and supplies. Although cattle are now hauled up in truck and trailer to the lush mountain meadows, many other traditions continue, and are carried on by descendents of the old time cattlemen. Beasore Meadow was named for Tom Beasore, a French Indian, who was Tom Jones uncle.

Tom built his first store in 1936, during the time Beasore Road was built. During one harsh winter, a heavy snowfall buckled the store’s roof. The store was replaced in 1954, with a larger building that included a second floor with a corrugated roof. Inside the store, the original barstools and countertops remain, fashioned out of Cedar trees cut down on the property. This store is still standing and continues to serve visitors to the higher backcountry.

Like a link to the past, a Globe manual gas pump that probably dates back to the 1920’s, is believed to be the last still in operation in California. Customers fill the globe with the number of gallons of gasoline they desire, then press a handle that relies on gravity to fill their vehicle with the gas.

Over time, the store hasn’t changed. It is well known for it’s good food and homemade pies. Store sales are still rung up a 1936 cash register. A double-door beer box dates to 1925. Vintage Servel refrigerators, that holds sodas, are 85 years old. Fourth generation families, as well as newly acquainted friends still patronize the store and campgrounds.

Tom Jones’ daughter, Lois Jones-Black and her husband Vern Black operated the store for many years. They lived upstairs above the store during the summer months. Lois passed away in 2015 and Vern, at age 95, is in poor health and unable to operate the store. His daughter, Dee and two sons, John and Jim, now operate the store.

John and Jim learned their culinary skills from their mother and both love to cook. They serve up the largest, most delicious Tri Tip beef sandwiches and hamburgers; both are served on a toasted french roll. Dee learned her pie-making skills from her mother and makes the most delicious pies.

By the end of September, with the usual start of snow, they start shutting down. By early October, the Blacks head back to the family ranch in Coarsegold, California.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Beasore Meadows - 06/15/16 - Oakhurst, CA

Wednesday – June 15, 2016
Beasore Meadows Campground
Oakhurst, California

We had to vacate our campsite at the Wawona Campground Wednesday morning. The campground is located within Yosemite National Park, but it was only available for two nights.

Our search for another campsite on Tuesday took us through the Sierra National Forest on California Highway 41, south of Yosemite National Park. We inspected two free campsites (dispersed camping) on Jackson Road and other fee-based campsites on Sky Ranch Road. Both roads, at some point, turn into quite rough dirt roads, but navigable with a two-wheel drive vehicle.

After discovering a few camping solutions, we were still not satisfied with our options. We consulted our Allstays Camp and RV smartphone app. We discovered Beasore Meadows, a private camping resort located within the Sierra National Forest at an elevation of 6700 feet. We called the owner and were told to select a campsite near a creek that runs through the property. The campsite fee would be $5.00 per night. Sold! This morning we set up our campsite by the spring-fed creek.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Yosemite National Park
Departure Time: 8:45 A.M.
Arrived: Beasore Meadows
Arrival Time: 10:00 P.M.

Campground: Beasore Meadows
Type: Private Camping Resort
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 37.439803
Longitude: W 119.477479
Elevation: 6795 Feet
Camping Fee: $5.00
Campsite: Creekside
Campsite Hookups: None
Campground Amenities: Water Spigots, One Flush Toilet, Three Outhouses
Total Campsites: 8

Cellular Service: Verizon – No Service
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – No Service
Dish TV Satellite Service: Excellent Service

Total miles traveled today: 38
Route Traveled:
South on California Route 41
East on Mountain Road 274
North on Beasore Road to Campground (14 miles)

Yosemite NP - 06/13/16 - Oakhurst, CA

Monday – June 13, 2016
Yosemite National Park
Oakhurst, California

We spent a wonderful eight days exploring Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park. Now it is time to explore our next adventure: Yosemite National Park.

We were fortunate to secure a campsite within Yosemite, for two nights, at the Wawona Campground, with an advance reservation. We loathe the campsite reservation systems: State and Federal. In our frequent travels to campgrounds in State Parks, National Parks, National Forests and Army Corps of Engineering (COE), too many times we have seen reserved sites go unused. We wonder how this can continue to happen. We long for the "good ole days" of "First-Come-First-Served."

Wawona is a scenic campground, located adjacent to the Chilnualna Creek. The sound of the rushing water in the creek provides a soothing atmosphere to relax in. As is typical of some National Park campgrounds, campsites at Wawona are close together and provide little privacy.

On Tuesday we will explore other camping options that afford us more privacy.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Sequoia National Park
Departure Time: 9:35 A.M.
Arrived: Yosemite National Park
Arrival Time: 2:15 P.M.

Campground: Wawona
Type: National Park
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 37.54552
Longitude: W 119.67399
Elevation: 4000 Feet
Camping Fee: $26.00 (50% discount for Golden Age Pass)
Campsite: 10
Campsite Hookups: None
Campground Amenities: Water Spigots, Flush Toilets, Dump
Total Campsites: 93

Cellular Service: Verizon – No Service
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – No Service
Dish TV Satellite Service: Excellent Service

Total miles traveled today: 125
Route Traveled:
East on California Route 180
North on California Route 41 to Yosemite National Park

Kings Canyon NP - 06/08/16 - Sanger, CA

Wednesday – June 8, 2016
Kings Canyon National Park
General Grant Tree

Kings Canyon National Park is a national park in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, that was established in 1940 and covers 461,901 acres. It incorporated General Grant National Park, established in 1890 to protect the General Grant Grove of giant sequoias. The park is north of and contiguous with Sequoia National Park; the two are administered by the National Park Service jointly as the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

Kings Canyon National Park consists of two sections. The small, detached General Grant Grove section preserves several groves of giant sequoias, including the General Grant Grove, with the famous General Grant Tree,

and the Redwood Mountain Grove, which is the largest remaining natural grove of giant sequoias in the world covering 3,100 acres and with 15,800 sequoia trees over 1 foot in diameter at their bases.

The park's Giant Sequoia forests are part of 202,430 acres of old-growth forests shared by Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. This section of the park is mostly mixed conifer forest, and is readily accessible via paved highways.

The remainder of Kings Canyon National Park, which comprises over 90% of the total area of the park, is located to the east of General Grant Grove and forms the headwaters of the South and Middle Forks of the Kings River and the South Fork of the San Joaquin River. Both the South and Middle Forks of the Kings Rivers have extensive glacial canyons. One portion of the South Fork canyon, known as the Kings Canyon, gives the entire park its name. Kings Canyon, with a maximum depth of 8,200 feet, is one of the deepest canyons in the United States. The canyon was carved by glaciers out of granite. The Kings Canyon, and its developed area, Cedar Grove, is the only portion of the main part of the park that is accessible by motor vehicle.

To the east of the canyons are the high peaks of the Sierra Crest, which attain an elevation of 14,248 feet at the summit of North Palisade, the highest point in the park. This is classic high Sierra country: barren alpine ridges and glacially scoured lake-filled basins. Usually snow free only from late June until late October, the high country is accessible only via foot and horse trails. The Sierran crest forms the eastern boundary of the park, from Mount Goethe in the north, down to Junction Peak, at the boundary with Sequoia National Park. Several passes cross the crest into the park, including Bishop Pass, Taboose Pass, Sawmill Pass, and Kearsarge Pass. All of these passes are above 11,000 feet elevation.

Hume Lake
This is a man-made lake, originally built in 1908 as a reservoir, to supply water for logging flumes used to float rough-cut sequoia lumber 54 miles from Converse Basin to a mill in the town of Sanger. There's a big Christian camp here, along with a store, cafe and gas station and you can rent boats. It's off the main road going toward Kings Canyon and can be reached by turning off onto either end of the loop road that goes past it.

Knapp's Cabin
This is an attraction in Cedar Grove. George Knapp was a wealthy business man in California who chose a spot to build his cabin to use as a storage shed for all of the summer camping trips he would take during the 1920’s. It is now the oldest building in Cedar Grove. A mile from Knapp’s Cabin is Roaring River Falls, accompanied by a variety of wildflowers in the area and also a variety of birds.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Sequoia NF - Azalea Campground - 06/07/16

Tuesday – June 7, 2016
Sequoia National Forest
Azalea Campground
Sanger, California

We discovered a wonderful campground, Azalea, located within the Sequoia National Forest. The campground is within walking distance to the General Grant Sequoia Tree. The campground offers several spacious campsites that provide more privacy than we had at the Sequoia National Park Lodgepole Campground. The Azalea Campground will be our home-base while we continue our exploration of Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Lodgepole Campground
Departure Time: 10:50 A.M.
Arrived: Azalea Campground
Arrival Time: 12:00 P.M.

Campground: Azalea
Type: National Forest
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 36.74052
Longitude: W 118.96749
Elevation: 6500 Feet
Camping Fee: $18.00 (50% discount with Golden Age Pass)
Campsite: 46
Campsite Hookups: None
Campground Amenities: Water Spigots, Flush Toilets, No Dump Station
Total Campsites: 110

Cellular Service: Verizon – 4G 3 Bars
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – 5 Bars
Dish TV Satellite Service: Excellent Service

Total miles traveled today: 28
Route Traveled:
General Sherman Road
California Route 180
General Grant Road to Azalea Campground

Sequoia NP - Auto Tour 198 - 06/06/16

Monday – June 6, 2016
Sequoia National Park
Auto Tour – California Route 198

The Great Western Divide parallels the Sierran crest. Most of the mountains and canyons in the Sierra Nevada are formed in granitic rocks. These rocks, such as granite, diorite and monzonite, formed when molten rock cooled far beneath the surface of the earth. The molten rock was a by-product of a geologic process known as subduction. Powerful forces in the earth forced the landmass under the waters of the Pacific Ocean beneath and below an advancing North American Continent. Super-hot water driven from the subjecting ocean floor migrated upward and melted rock as it went. This process took place during the Cretaceous Period, 100 million years ago. Granitic rocks have speckled salt and pepper appearance because they contain various minerals including quartz, feldspars and micas.

While geologists debate the details, it is clear that the Sierra Nevada is a young mountain range, probably not more than 10 million years old. Forces in the earth, probably associated with the development of the Great Basin, forced the mountains to grow and climb toward the sky. During the last 10 million years, at least four periods of glacial advance have coated the mountains in a thick mantle of ice. Glaciers form and develop during long periods of cool and wet weather. Glaciers move through the mountains like slow-motion rivers carving deep valleys and craggy peaks. The extensive history of glaciation within the range and the erosion resistant nature of the granitic rocks that make up most of the Sierra Nevada have together created a landscape of hanging valleys, waterfalls, craggy peaks, alpine lakes and glacial canyons.

Our journey exploring California Route 198 was absolutely amazing!

Sherman Tree Trail
This is a 0.8-mile roundtrip paved trail that descends from the parking lot to the base of the General Sherman tree and meanders through a grove of giant sequoia trees.

Tunnel Log
Is a tunnel cut through a fallen giant sequoia tree in Sequoia National Park. The tree, which measured 275 feet tall and 21 feet in diameter, fell across a park road in 1937 due to natural causes. The following year, a crew cut an 8-foot tall, 17-foot wide tunnel through the trunk, making the road passable again.

Crescent Meadow
Is a small, sequoia-rimmed meadow in the Giant Forest region of Sequoia National Park. This meadow marks the western terminus of the High Sierra Trail, which stretches from the meadow across the Great Western Divide to Mount Whitney. Pioneer Hale Tharp homesteaded in this and nearby Log Meadow. Conservationist John Muir visited this meadow many times and praised it highly calling it the "Gem of the Sierras".

Moro Rock
Is a granite dome located in the center of the park, at the head of Moro Creek, between Giant Forest and Crescent Meadow. A 400-step stairway, built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, is cut into and poured onto the rock, so that visitors can hike to the top. The stairway is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The view from the rock encompasses much of the Park, including the Great Western Divide. It has an elevation of 6,725 feet.

Caves
The park is home to over 240 known caves, and potentially hundreds more. The caves in the park include California's longest cave at over 20 miles, Lilburn Cave, as well as recently discovered caves that remain strictly off-limits to all but a handful of specialists who visit on rare occasions to study cave geology and biology. The only commercial cave open to park visitors remains Crystal Cave, the park's second-longest at over 3.4 miles and remarkably well-preserved for the volume of visitation it receives annually. It was discovered on April 28, 1918 by Alex Medley and Cassius Webster.[ The cave is a constant 48 °F, and only accessible by guided tour.

Caves are discovered every year in the park; in fact, 17 have been discovered since 2003 alone. The most recently discovered major cave in the park, in September 2006, has been named Ursa Minor. Park caves are valued by scientists and cavers alike for their pristine beauty, variety, and endemic cave life.

Animals
Animals that inhabit this park are coyote, badger, black bear, sheep, deer, fox, cougar, eleven species of woodpecker, various species of turtle, three species of owl, opossum, various species of snake, wolverine, roadrunner, beaver, various species of frog, and muskrat.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Sequoia NP - 06/05/16 - Sanger, CA

Sunday – June 5, 2016
Sequoia National Park
Lodgepole Campground
Sanger, California

We enter Sequoia National Park at the Big Stump Entrance on California Route 180. This is one of the entrance routes recommended for big rig RV’s and vehicles towing trailers. The route to the Lodgepole Campground is on a winding, paved, two-lane road that rises to an elevation of 6700 feet. This is a very scenic route, offering up magnificent views of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range.

We arrived at the Lodgepole Campground, without reservations, and were fortunate to find a campsite for two nights. We prefer not to make reservations, whenever possible, and were glad we did not make reservations for this campground. The campsites are too close to one another for our preference. This campsite will do while we find another campsite, preferably in a National Forest campground close to Sequoia National Park.

Sequoia National Park is located in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, east of Visalia, California. It was established on September 25, 1890. The park spans 404,064 acres and encompasses a vertical relief of nearly 13,000 feet. The park contains, among its natural resources, the highest point in the contiguous 48 United States: Mount Whitney, at 14,494 feet above sea level. The park is south of and contiguous with Kings Canyon National Park.

Sequoia National Park is famous for its giant sequoia trees, including the General Sherman tree, one of the largest trees on Earth. The General Sherman tree grows in the Giant Forest, which contains five out of the ten largest trees in the world.

The Giant Forest is connected by the Generals Highway to Kings Canyon National Park's General Grant Grove: home to the General Grant tree among other giant sequoias. The park's giant sequoia forests are part of 202,430 acres of old-growth forests shared by Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Cayucos, California
Departure Time: 8:40 A.M.
Arrived: Sequoia National Park
Arrival Time: 3:00 P.M.

Campground: Lodgepole
Type: National Park
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 36.60580
Longitude: W 118.72473
Elevation: 6700 Feet
Camping Fee: $22.00 (50% discount with Golden Age Pass)
Campsite: 195
Campsite Hookups: None
Campground Amenities: Water Spigots, Flush Toilets, Picnic Tables, Grills
Total Campsites: 203

Cellular Service: Verizon – No Service
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – No Service
Dish TV Satellite Service: Did not setup – Campground too congested

Total miles traveled today: 231
Route Traveled:
North on California Route 1
East on California Route 46
North on California Route 41
East on California Route 180
General Sherman Road to Lodgepole Campground

Cayucos, CA - 06/04/16

Saturday – June 4, 2016
Cayucos, California

We have spent a delightful three days with my sister and her husband at their vacation home in Cayucos. Their living room has floor-to-ceiling windows, which open to a balcony, providing a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean. We had only been there a short time when we spotted whales breaching the water not too far off shore. Welcome to Cayucos!

Thursday afternoon we enjoyed a six-course wine tasting at Wolff Vineyards Winery in San Luis Obispo, California. Two of the six wines we tasted were a 2013 Syrah and a 2014 Petite Sirah. Both of them were excellent tasting wines. My sister has a club membership at this vineyard and receives a discount on any wines she purchases. We purchased a bottle of each wine and were allowed to use her discount. Nice touch!

Thursday evening we visited the Farmer’s Market in Morrow Bay for dinner! Every Thursday at 5:00 p.m., throughout the year, the downtown streets are cordoned off. Vendors set up their stalls, local growers sell fresh-picked seasonal fruit, vegetables and flowers. Fresh baked Italian pretzels (Taralli), biscotti, cookies, bread and more are offered up. Local craft vendors are in abundance and musicians provide lively entertainment. Several food vendors offer up their freshly prepared culinary delicacies. At 6:00 p.m. a horn sounds and vendors can start selling their offerings. Several tables and chairs are set up on designated streets for diners to devour their delectable food purchases. We purchased BBQ pulled pork plates and BBQ tenderloin tip plates from the Mother’s Tavern vendor. Their BBQ was outstanding! We all enjoyed a wonderful evening strolling through the Farmer’s Market.

Friday afternoon we had a picnic lunch at a picnic area in Cayucos that overlooks the Pacific Ocean coastline. We purchased some of the best sandwiches ever from the Pieman Bakery and Bistro in Cayucos for our lunch. While we were enjoying our delicious sandwiches we spotted whales breaching the water not too far off shore and two fishermen in kayaks heading back to shore after a day of fishing.

On Saturday we spent a wonderful time walking on the beach and visiting the pier in Cayucos.

Later that day we visited Morro Rock and observed several surfers taking advantage of some high wave activity.

We had an early dinner at the Great American Fish Company in Morro Bay. The restaurant is located on the waterfront and provides amazing views of Morro Bay. The food and service were excellent. A fitting end to our visit to Cayucos!

See you on our next visit Cayucos... hopefully with some sunny weather!

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Cayucos, CA - 06/02/16

Thursday – June 2, 2016
Cayucos, California

On this segment of our travels, we will spend the weekend with my sister and her husband at their vacation home in Cayucos, California.

As we approached Morro Bay from the south, on California State Route 1, under a sunny, clear blue sky, a wall of heavy fog completely enveloped the town of Morro Bay.

Upon our approach to Cayucos, the fog lifted and a sunny, blue sky reappeared. As we learned later, the Pacific coastal fog is prevalent in this region through the summer months. The fog tends to be confined to the coastline; about a mile inland, sunny, blue skies prevail.

Cayucos is located on the Central California Coast in San Luis Obispo County, California along California State Route 1, between Cambria to the north and Morro Bay to the south. The population was 2,592 at the 2010 census.

Cayucos is a complete resort providing relaxation away from the heat and smog of the California valley, inland, and metropolitan areas. The Cayucos Pier, miles of sandy beaches and Morro Bay with its majestic Morro Rock and scenic Cambria are a popular vacation destination. The region is populated with several vineyards, with a few of them offering wine-tasting tours. The famous Hearst Castle, in San Simeon, is just a short drive north of Cayucos.

This region of California was inhabited by the Chumash people approximately 11,000 to 10,000 BC, including a large village to the south of Cayucos at Morro Creek. Cayucos is the Chumash word for "kayak," or "canoe," used by the Chumash people to fish in the bay, particularly in the rich kelp beds just north of the current Cayucos pier. The town took its name from the old Rancho Moro y Cayucos, a Mexican land grant awarded in 1842 that includes the present area of the town.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Carrizo Plains Monument – near Santa Margarita, California
Departure Time: 10:00 A.M.
Arrived: Cayucos, California
Arrival Time: 12:45 P.M.

Cellular Service: Verizon – 4G-4 Bars
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – 5 Bars

Total miles traveled today: 91
Route Traveled:
East on Selby Road
Nouth on Soda Lake Road
West on California State Route 58
South on U.S. Highway 101
North on California State Route 1 to Cayucos