BIG BLUE FASCINATION-THE WEEKENDER

AN HISTORIC EVENT

     There is no end to the fascination and enjoyment of seeing the Pacific. Living in a coastal community reminds me daily of the wonder of the big blue.

     Special thanks to our pal John, aka The Travel Answerman for giving us a heads up on an amazing National Geographic brief for your Weekend enjoyment. This is  amazing.

SPLASH
stills from Cambria's Lampton Cliff

    See you down the trail.

THE EXOTICS ARE BACK AND KITES OVER THE PACIFIC

 EXOTICS IN BLOOM

    The annual succulent show in San Luis Obispo again provides plenty at which to marvel.

My George Lucas inspired imagination sees a Jabba the Hutt type creature in repose, below. That would be Jabba with a punk  hair cut.

This specie, and its cousins, are especially interesting in that they resemble something barely alive.

KITES OVER THE PACIFIC

   Several miles north of Cambria on the Pacific Coast highway, the sky is frequently filled.

    For several years I've watched these extraordinary athletes and remain fascinated by this combination of surfing and sailing.

    The launching beach is a wide expanse of sand.

   Below, the view behind the beach.

   See you down the trail.

A WORLD APART

TORO CREEK ROAD

This new walk offers great vistas. You might find it hard to believe it is only a mile or so from the Pacific Ocean.

"It's the California I grew up in" was the comment from a

couple of hikers.

It's cowboy country to me, like scenes

from the old westerns.

You can find it off the Pacific Coast Highway

between Cayucos and Morro Bay.

Whatever you are dealing with today,

take this walk in a peaceful valley.

 Accompanied by the sound of birds, the creek and wind through the trees.

 Post card scenes of California that many do not know exists.

 Below, the sun splashes off Toro Creek.

 An old ranch homestead.

 A combination of cattle country and agriculture.

Below, old gourds wait to enrich the soil.

 Typical to ranch and farm country-a kind of museum of

old implements.

Probably some life left in this old boy.  Just waiting till it is needed again. 

 I particularly like the frame below.

Five layers of mother earth

including a fault line.

See you down the trail.

CONTEMPLATIVE AT YEARS END

MOMENTS AT THE SHORE

As a high school kid I'd take this holiday break 

week to evaluate. What about the year ending

and how would I do things differently in the 

new year?  It's akin to making resolutions, but 

the point is the time to ponder.

It is a habit that stuck. Back then I'd hike

off through a field behind the house between

corn or soybean fields to a little copse of trees

where an old tractor bridge crossed a creek.

Quiet, solitary and a great place to contemplate.

Today, the nearby big blue of the Pacific with

its sound, smell and energy serves the purpose.

 From personal experience, this is a great spot to watch the whales in their winter migration south.

South of here, off Rancho Palos Verde, large pods of
Gray whales have been sighted already. This is
earlier than normal.
Regardless of where on the planet you find yourself,
I urge you to spend a few quiet minutes outside,
in nature, working on your emotional, psychological
and/or spiritual balance sheet. Or just relaxing
looking at something that is not of human hands.
See you down the trail.

FOLLOWING THE SURF & "FANCY" TABLES

SUPER SWELLS

       (Cambria, CA)  Good breaks and unusual swells have brought surfers to the waters of the north coast of San Luis Obispo County.

        "Some of these guys have been following these swells

from the South Pacific," a lip coated and hoodie wearing surfer from South Africa said.

         "These are super swells!"

       A crowd of surfers were in the water near Leffingwell Landing on the north end of Moonstone Beach.  It can be a

tricky spot to work the waves.

      Skill was evident as they worked the crowded waters.
  Aside from the breaks and swells more surfers maybe working the north coast, because a great white was spotted
near the pier at Pismo Beach.  

DRESSING IT UP

      Since the Friday Lunch Flash Mob has overgrown the deck and moved to the picnic area, we've started to dress

up the picnic tables with table cloths.

       Most Cambrians always travel with "wardrobes"-vests, jackets, sweaters, caps and shorts because you often need more or less clothing.  Now the Flash mob is traveling with table cloths.  You know, you just need to be ready for a party or meal to break out.

See you down the trail.