THE Trip, THE Encore' :: Pismo Beach, California, The Finale'

Copyright 2013, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

April 3, 2013

We had a wonderful day discovering the delights of Pismo Beach, California. Drove Jolly on the beach, had a yummy lunch, got to people watch, found lots of colorful flora and a hiding fauna, and saw great beach front sights!  On the way back to camp we drove down a few "coast access" roads, being first class tourists!

The side trips came with benefits, more beauty and more photos.  This was taken in someone's front yard, someone who is a great gardener or pays his gardener very well indeed.

The road we took back to camp passed through some of the most rich, black, fertile soil I think I have ever seen.  Trying to capture it with Sony Too was a bit frustrating.  It does show in the foreground of this photo of a mountain of rock, hills, sea mist, clouds and beauty:

I think this may be my most favorite photo of the day, I'll close with it, take your time, don't rush, just soak up the beauty:

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THE Trip, THE Encore' :: Dinosaur Caves Park, Pismo Beach, California

Copyright 2013, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

April 3, 2013

On my "hit" list for Pismo Beach was a little park named Dinosaur Caves Park.  I had found reference to the "eggs" on the internet.  The "eggs" were cute, the little humans seemed to really enjoy them.

However, my attraction, as it will be for weeks to come, is the ocean, the left coast.  Man found a quiet place to sit while I took some, OK more than some, flower photos, here he is sitting in the sea mist with a field of Sea Lavender nearby.

Out on the point overlooking the sea, with heavy mist.  Over the weeks I have come to love the sea mist, heavy or otherwise, almost as much as the full sun.  It is hauntingly beautiful.

Just a few minutes later, the mist has moved out, or around, or away:

The left coast is casting it's spell.  And, I am caught!




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THE Trip, THE Encore' :: Pismo Beach, California

Copyright 2013, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

April 3, 2013

After driving Jolly on the beach at Oceano Dunes, it was time for lunch and a wee bit of snooping around at the beach of Pismo Beach.

So, that lunch issue, solved here, at Pismo Beach Fish & Chips.  The seafood was to die for.  Just up the street a few blocks people were standing in long lines to eat lunch.  Really, we just walked in, sat down and had a fab meal.  I really don't know how it could have been any better up the street, and all that standing in line??  No thanks.  I am over that standing in line thing, unless it cannot be helped.

We then went back to Jolly, got the fur kids, and camera and went for a walk to the beach and the pomenade area.  Time to people watch.  There were actually quite a few people on the beach in swim suits and such.  MMM, brrrrrr??

Then, there was this guy and his dog.  I know there was a story here, oh, for the time for a long interview.

And, after the dog had a bit of a run and some exercise, his owner loaded him onto the front of the bike and away they went:

A bit further down the board walk and promenade we were asked to take a photo of a gal, her mother and their fur kids, which we did for them.  Then, they offered to take our photo.  Now, you all know how I feel about being IN the photo, but, I had on a hat and my glasses were dark - - Oh, you will note, we had on warm clothes, no swimsuit weather for us!  Ohhh, and remember the mom, she will return to Reflections!

Being a resident of a state where we have cold temps, often freezing ones, you just have to know I am enjoying finding flowers, colorful flowers, growing when normally there would be nothing but perhaps a leaf budding out on the crab apple tree at home.  YES YES YES!!

And, under the foliage, we find momma nesting:

We walked around for a while longer and when we finally decided we were chilly enough, we headed back to Jolly and turned our noses north.  We will follow this route for weeks to come (with a short trip back east to visit Yosemite)!  Yea for 101 and 1!

But, the day is not over, we make a few more stops and see a few more things - -




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THE Trip, THE Encore' :: Oceano Dunes, Near Pismo Beach California, Playing Hard!

Copyright 2013, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

April 3, 2013

Today we will visit the Pismo Beach area.  First stop, Oceano Dunes.  This area is 3,600 acres of off road fun that consists of 5 ½ miles of beach open for vehicle use and 1,500 acres of sand dunes available for off highway motor vehicle recreation. It is the only California State Park where vehicles may be driven on the beach.

Yes, indeedy, Jolly is going to the beach.  Here we go, stay on the dark wet looking sand, it is solid and well packed.  (Hint, if you think you are going in the softer sand, let some air out of your tires.  In fact, this motorhome coming OFF the beach is stopped so that he can pump air back INTO his tires before he hits the pavement.)  Here we go (that dark stripe at the bottom of the photo is Jolly's dash.)

Jolly on the beach, in the sea mist.

We see all sorts of vehicles running the beach, a popup camper:

The sea gulls react to vehicles going by.

Dunebuggies and trailers share the beach.

Hey, ya gotta eat.  You need shirts, firewood, ice, flags and more, right?

And, yes, you can rent all kinds of sand toys down here:

OK, guys, you cannot convince me that your rental agreement says you can do this.

I guess they are trying to keep the high tide out??  Or is that a form of a wind shield?  I have no idea why they are doing this, but, I have to say, that looks like a lot of work, that sand is heavy and that is a lot of sand.

Vroom, let's go, that sand dune awaits!

You can even ride horses on the beach here.

And, there ALWAYS has to be at least one guy that needs to go the "harder" way.  Hey if you have the correct equipment and vehicle, I guess the temptation is just too much to withstand.  LOL

A lot of people were having a lot of fun on the beach at Oceano Dunes.  We heard rumors this beach may change the rules and that vehicles will no longer be allowed.  That would be too bad, in my opinion.

Sadly, we could not stay on the beach for very long.  It was a fun experience, one we will not forget any time soon.




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