On the road again…with friends!

 

Mother’s Day, 2023

We began our latest road trip shortly after Steve shared the Word at our two Church services. Due to our late-in-the-day start, we headed north toward our overnight destination at Hungry Valley. We stopped for a yummy dinner at The Stand in Santa Clarita, a great spot for burgers and sweet potato fries. Along the way my sons Chris and Brent called to wish me “Happy Mother’s Day”, and we enjoyed time on the phone visiting.

We arrived at Hungry Valley camping area shortly before sunset, and found almost no one camping there. The valley and its campgrounds are popular for ATVs; trails abound for riding but there is no shortage of beautiful vegetation. Everyone that had been there for the weekend had cleared out leaving us with endless choices of where to park for the night.

The next day we headed on to Hearst San Simeon State Park, where we joined with Jim and Gail for three days of exploring the California coast between Cambria and Ragged Point. 

 

 

Cambria

Cambria is a favorite destination

 of the four of us. After we were all set up at camp we headed down Highway 1 to town where we enjoyed a fine dinner at Linn’s. They bake some amazing pastries and we selected some to bring back to our camp to enjoy for dessert and the next day’s breakfast! 

We browsed through my favorite place to shop in Cambria, The Garden Shed, a collection of gift shops, clothing boutiques, artists and artisans set amid beautiful gardens. 

 

Gail loved it as much as I do! We visited and browsed our way through the gardens and shops, selecting some treasures to remember our time there. Steve and Jim were very patient with us and used the time to get to know one another as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ragged Point

As with most years, Highway 1 was closed north of Ragged Point due to a slide that was being repaired, but we had no plans to go any further than this quaint roadside destination. Here we enjoyed a light breakfast and delicious Lattes followed by a stroll around the cliff side hotel grounds and shops. We have found our kindred spirits in Jim and Gail, who enjoy finding quaint local coffee shops to try out.

On our way back from Ragged Point we found a trail from the highway that led down to the beach which afforded views of a herd of elk, wildflowers as far as we could see, views of the rocky coastline, and a beach filled with driftwood. Some stones and small pieces of driftwood found their way back with us!

For our second night, Gail recommended 

that we try a restaurant called Robins, which serves global cuisine in a charming garden patio. Mike had joined us that day at our campground and the five of us had a delightful meal and evening together. We may call it camping but when near a town we like to enjoy some local restaurants-I guess we should say we are glamping!

The San Simeon campground affords beach access and we spent time leisurely beach-combing along the rocky shoreline, covered in smooth stones of all colors, from large stones the size of river rocks to the tiniest of pebbles. A recent windy day had blown hundreds of Varella Varella ashore. These small blue creatures are nicknamed “By-The-Wind-Sailors”, as they must go where the wind drives them. Their clear delicate “sails” were all along the high tide debris line. A coastal drive to check on the elephant seal rookery rounded out our visit.

As we spent these days in San Simeon, walking on the beach, shopping in town, hiking on the trails around the campground, of course we spent some time relaxing around camp. The guys cooked a great taco dinner on the black stone grills for us. Steve gave Jim lots of pointers on grilling after they seasoned Jim’s new Black Stone Grill.

Our seaside foggy mornings, sunny afternoons, cool evenings, great time with friends came to soon to an end on Thursday morning when we broke camp, said goodbye to Mike and his dog Magnum and headed off for new sites and experiences.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Friday Jim and Gail will rejoin us at our next destination, Glory Hole Campground near Angels Camp, CA.

Until then, we are off for our next Adventures on the Road!