The Morning Beach!!!

Early morning walks on the beach, for me, are an awesome way to start the day.  It feels fresh and new with little use before I tread upon the sands.  It was clear yesterday morning and rather mild.  Perhaps hinting of a warmer day.

I cast a very large shadow this early in the morning.  One would think I was very, very tall.

Close to the end of the beach, beyond the pier, was a group of five different kinds of birds at the edge of the surf.  It was rather calm there and each variety was doing it's own thing.  The gulls were just sitting there, maybe warming up before the busy day of searching for food.  The sandpipers were following the waters edge in and out, as they searched for food.  There were tiny little birds kind of doing the same thing as the sandpipers, though they had much shorter legs and so were running in and out and sometimes needing to take to the air to avoid the surf catching them.  As I stood there, they ignored me and went about their morning rituals.  So peaceful.  I was too far away for the picture to truly capture all the activities of the birds.

Walking the beach, I always bring two plastic bags.  One is to collect the special sea treasures that I love discovering.  The other is to pick up the garbage left on the beach.  This morning there were lots of cigarette butts, pieces of plastic wrap, a straw, and various pieces of paper and wrappings.  Surprisingly there were no liquid containers.  It is unknown where all of these things come from.  I just remember seeing a documentary about how all of these items end up in the stomachs of the bird and animal life of the sea and how it makes them sick, even causing death.  Albatross chicks actually die of malnutrition because of all of the human garbage they end up consuming, fed by their unknowing parents, thinking it is food.  So I do a small part to keep this from happening.

One of the many plaques I took a picture of at the Wampum Trading Post.

It seems so important to me that each of us do our part to care for our planet.  We can each decide what that means for us.  I am confused when I see someones pet taking care of business and the owners leave it, as though where ever it lands is a public garbage pile. I am certain they would be offended if they stepped in some other dogs poop.  Please... Pay attention.  Be aware.  Be considerate.  Clean up after yourself and your animals.

Did some laundry and checked out local rv sites for future use.  The off season rates seem reasonable and I will probably stay at one of them for a while until I get my fill of this great area.  (That could be a long time.)  We shall see.

I forgot to mention that I completely lost Wednesday.  I am clueless as to where it went.  I had things arranged for Thursday and almost lost them because I thought it was Wednesday.  I have a strange feeling this may happen again.  I guess I will need to look at my phone everyday so I know what day and date it is.   I'm sure it will only be important to know if I have something planned.  I need to at least pay attention to this.  This being retired is kind of tricky.  Loving it!

Lots of varieties of dogs here.  Just met this adorable little four month old Pomeranian named Lilly.  All three pounds of her.  Big dogs, little dogs, fit dogs, old dogs.  They are all here and I am getting to share with them.  All very good.  Perhaps one will come my way and join me on my adventures.

Enjoy your part!

Times with Friends!!!

Dinner with Megan, breakfast with Patty and lunch with Joyce.  Love it.  So good to see all of them and catch up on all that has been happening in their lives.  I am so grateful to have such wonderful people in my life and they all live in such wonderful places.  Hi to all those I just left in the Foothills of Central California.  Missing you.  So glad to be in daily contact with my Son and Daughter-In-Law.  Very lucky am I.

More succulents.  They are everywhere.

Just looks so happy!

While at the restaurant for lunch yesterday the waitress gave each of us a rose which were on the dining tables.  She said they were going to put new ones out and thought we might like the current ones.  Absolutely!!  It is now taking up residence in my room.





After lunch Joyce and I stopped at the Wampum Trading Post in San Simeon.  This is always a fun place to check out the fetishes and Native American wares.  It seems as though this place has been there forever.  I remember it from the 1970's when I first started visiting this area.

I, of course, found a T shirt I just had to have.  Do understand that I am having to down size my current clothing allowance again, so why I had to have this shirt is a mystery.

From there, we were driving along the Hearst Castle property and were given the gift of the zebra heard on the Hearst Ranch.  They were close to the highway and consisted of about twenty plus animals.  They were hanging out with the grazing cattle and the white egrets.  A rare sighting.  Then we had hawks flying everywhere and sitting on tops of poles.  All in all, it was a rather magical outing.  There just seems to be so much nature happening here and I am certain this is what draws me to the area.  


Just connected with my niece, who is currently in England attending Veterinary school, on a Facebook chat.  First time since she left in mid September.  Said she has a freshers flu (which is what they call it there).  I am getting a course in proper English speak.  Very fun.  Who knows what will show up in this blog!  

Enjoy your courage!!!

Succulents Everywhere Here!

Yesterday I was checking out the huge amount of various succulent plants in this sweet little town.  Until I started truly paying attention, I was missing out on some incredible gifts of nature.  

A Jade plant hedge about three feet tall

Up close look at the jade plant petals.

And, for all of you who have difficulty growing jade plants, here is what they look like on the coast.  They grow into hedges and bushes.  People literally chop the tops off and they just keep growing back more dense and fuller than before.  They produce great colors here as well because they are growing outside all year.  Try and do that in the valley!  I think not.  I have tried and they either fry or freeze, depending on the temperatures.  It is such a delight to see them this way.

After it rained, I walked on the beach with Chris and Duke, the dog.

He is huge, though this picture fails to capture that and how absolutely beautiful he is.  Truly a gentle giant.  He is one of the sweetest dogs I have been graced to meet and spend time with.  Similar to a teddy bear one just wants to cuddle and hug.

Smells continued yesterday with a whale skin that Chris says just keeps moving up and down the beach with the assistance of waves and tides.  A dead gull in the kelp on the beach added to the mix.  The ocean air though seems to make it all alright.  And walking past the Cookie Company store helps too.  

The schedule thing (or rather the lack of the schedule thing) is very curious.  There are times when I am flowing along and feeling quite free.  And then there are other times when guilt kind of sneaks in a bit.  I am obviously still adjusting to all of this.  I wonder how long this will take.  Actually, this is of little importance since it simply is what it is.  I am very grateful to have this opportunity to (as they say) "go with the flow."

John Muir Plaque

Enjoy your walks!

And It Rained!!!

What a hoot.  Went to breakfast in flip flops, light weight over shirt (and pants) and no umbrella.  And then it rained.  No, it poured.  I waited until it eased some, used a newspaper and made a run for it.  By the afternoon it was beautiful, clear, and warm.  The saying around here is that if you don't like the weather, wait ten minutes and it will change.  Very true. Apparently a lot of things and people are experiencing change right now.  Gotta love it....

Smells seemed more on the agenda yesterday.  There are jasmine flowers blooming in someones front yard, along with the wonderful marine aroma and again, walking past the Brown Butter Cookie Company, the smell of fresh made cookies.  After the rain everything was renewed, clean and fresh.  The air always feels clear too.  

This is all that was left of the rain in the evening sky.  Quite beautiful.

I suspect today is going to be a sound day as I can hear the seals again this morning.  They are sounding very active.  Right now the morning traffic (which is very minimal in this small quaint town) is starting.  It is 6:30 am and it is still almost completely dark.  I can hear the surf pounding intermittently on the beach and the tide is coming in according to the tide book.  

These two succulents are in the landscaping outside the cookie store.  There are so many here and I will attempt to capture the most I can.  They definitely have varieties I have not seen before.  Just amazing.

So, for the past two mornings I have awakened early.  I think this means I have finally caught up on my sleep and I am almost back to being me.  Very happy about this as the past month was overwhelming.  Peace and calm suit me much better.

Today, I am spending the afternoon and evening with good friends I have here.  It is always good to connect with those who hold a special place in my heart.  I only lived here for two and a half years, yet the friends I made during that time remain close.  Very grateful.

It is getting light now and the surf and seals are getting very noisy.  I may just have to go and check it out and see what is going on out there.  So, later!

Enjoy today's smells!

What A Beautiful Morning!

It appears the clouds may be moving in for a bit of rain predicted for later today and tomorrow.  A stunning view to wake up to.

Yesterday was a laid back day of visiting with the Motel owners, motel sitting, walking to the post office to mail a letter to my niece in England, 

and stopping at the Brown Butter Cookie Company for some of their incredible cookies.  This is one of the few places I will buy cookies.  You  can watch them make the fresh hand made cookies once you enter.  They have moved to a new location since I was last here and they have so much more room.  When you walk in the smell alone is enough for one to gain at least a few pounds.  Who cares?  Simply delicious!!



From there I is was off to the pier at Cayucos to enjoy the view looking south to Morro Bay, about five miles away.   

Morro Rock is visible when it is clear and appears small from here, though up close and personal, it is quite impressive.  Looks as though it is a perfect day at the beach, and it is.  One of the nice things about being in a small town is that one can walk everywhere.  And walking on the beach is one of the best things to do.

More succulents to admire as the coast is an ideal location for these moisture loving plants.  There are so many different varieties of shapes, types and colors.  It would be difficult to choose only one.  So I guess I will just enjoy all of them.

Definitely winding down.  I am feeling calmer every day.  More at peace, knowing I have the opportunity to spend however much time I like, taking in the amazing uniqueness of all of nature.  It seems very quiet here this morning, almost as though it is the calm before the storm.  Hummmm.  Could be a sign, based on the predictions.  Oh well!  It is all good.

Different bird songs here.  And at night, when the air is coming in off the ocean, the barking of the seals can be heard from where they hang out on the bell clanging buoys.  It sounds as though they are so close.  

"Man's heart away from nature becomes hard."

- Standing Bear    

 Enjoy your connection with nature!                       

Central Coast!!!

One of the very most wonderful angels I received to watch over me while on my adventures.  

I spent several days with my great friend of almost forty years.  We shopped, talked and ate.  And for dessert we had blackberry port and Belgian chocolates.  Needless to say, slept very well all three nights.  Thanks again, Millie!

I stopped and visited with my son and daughter-in-law before heading to the Central Coast.  They helped me put in the replacement screen for the window over the couch, put some graphite in the key mechanism and got lots of hugs.  It doesn't get much better than this.  Thanks to both of you

Arrived on the Central Coast to one of their most amazing sunsets.  It glowed those most beautiful pinkish, orangish, vibrant, iridescent, almost glow in the dark colors.  I was still driving, so was unable to get a picture.  Perhaps this evening.  It is clear, calm and right around 60 degrees this morning.  Wonderful, simply wonderful!

The amazing succulent plant right outside my room.

I have finally settled down after the move out of the orchard house.  I had been operating in overdrive and now I am peaceful and coasting along.  Thank goodness.  I could still use a few more long nights sleep and what better place to accomplish this than at the coast!  My friends that own the motel where I usually stay have the the motel in escrow.  It is due to close the end of October and then they will be moving into a mobile home park in Morro Bay.  There is a small rv section to the park which will be perfect when I am in the area.  Lots of people are in change and flux right now.  Very interesting to watch and be a part of.

So, today will be going with my motel friend to see their new mobile home and check out the rv section, walk on the beach (and perhaps find some local ice cream to enjoy)  and soak in the negative ions one is exposed to at the ocean.







Ocean pictures to follow.

Enjoy the changes!!!

I have launched!

I am still here!  On the planet, anyway!

Tuesday, October 2, 2012, was my last day in the little house in the orchard.  It was such a sweet place to be for the last eight years. I had breakfast with my landlady that morning and then we walked through the house and said our goodbyes.  She has been so kind these past years and I am happy she is settled in her new home.  The cat is settled in the with awesome neighbors who will now feed and provide comfort and support to him.  I am very grateful for this.

These past several days I have been staying with dear friends in Foresthill while I get myself organized in the motor home.  Getting closer to the organized thing and heading out today.

The past few weeks were completely crazy busy.  So much to do, with amazing friends and family helping me out with everything.  Thanks to all of you and thanks for all the good wishes, prayers and loving thoughts.  While I will miss all of you, know that I will occasionally be through the area.  I am continuing to wait for my license plates and the voting thing is coming up very soon.

I will be heading towards the coast and breathe in the fantastic ocean air.  Definitely need some negative ions.  It has been too long since my last exposure.

Have been following pictures of my niece who is currently in England, enrolled in Vet school.  She looks great and seems as though she is having fun.  Though she says her classes have picked up and she is studying hard.  What a wonderful opportunity and experience.  I am looking forward to her getting settled and comfortable with the lay of the land so I can go visit.

The temperature is finally cooling and it actually feels very fall like.  I am so grateful, since the past few weeks were rather warm.  It ranged from 93 plus degrees to 100's.  So, some clouds and lower temperatures are very welcomed by most of us.  I know a few heat loving souls who are probably a bit down with the change.

Target will probably be on my list of stops today, to gather a few supplies for the home.  Remember the mending on my list?  Well, that is now a future project for a perhaps rainy inside day.  There are other things I was hoping to accomplish before launch, which will be addressed as I am on my travels.  Just about finished with the schedule thing.  This past week was filled with schedules, which truly emphasized the joy of reaching the non schedule phase of my life.  Hoooray!  And so, the Adventure begins.  I have lift off!!!

"Today is the first day of the rest of your life!"  Fredrick S. Pearls

Enjoy this day!