MDO: Sept 8-13, 2014

Spooner Cove, Montaña de Oro.

Montaña de Oro, what a wonderful state park. It’s pretty neat to see so much undeveloped coastal property in central California. The park has a real remote feel to it. Los Osos and Morro Bay are about 20 & 30 minutes away. The biking is very scenic, every ride starts with a climb, but the overall riding was also easier than we were expecting.

Our first two days the weather was absolutely spectacular. Then we were quickly reminded why we don’t live on the coast. Fog, all day long, no sunshine, weather so damp your shower towel never dries. We were pleasantly surprised that the solar panels managed to keep the batteries charged the entire time.

The later half of our stay, Amy’s stepmom (R’s second ex-wife) Denise, and Rob, her wonderful husband, drove down from Castro Valley. As usual, we had an absolutely delightful time hanging out with them. On Saturday, we had enough of the damp gloomy weather, so we all packed into their Prius and headed into Paso Robles. Ninety degree heat, sunshine, and big blue skies were just what the doctor ordered.

The proverbial icing on the cake for this great trip was stumbling upon KPIG radio station. If you are into, for the lack of a better descriptor Americana music, then check out the PIG. You can stream them at http://www.kpig.com

Amelia coasting and Sara high stepping through the campground.

My office for the week. The bluff above Spooner Cove was the closest place to the campground to get Verizon reception.

My office for the week. The bluff above Spooner Cove was the closest place to get Verizon reception.

This is what the trails looked like at MDO on a clear day.

Everywhere you are starting to see the affects of the three year drought. We ran into to some locals biking. They invited us for some post beers at their car. Amelia passed, but I joined them. They have been living in Los Osos and biking MDO for over twenty years. They park at the same place all the time. ( I really hit it off with these guys!) They have drank beers and stared at this succulent for over twenty years. They were both really sad at how the lack of rain is killing this plant.

Everywhere you are starting to see the affects of the three year drought. We ran into to some locals while biking and they invited us for some post ride beers at their car. Amelia passed, but I joined them. They have been living in Los Osos and biking MDO for over twenty years. They park at the same place all the time. ( I really hit it off with these guys!) They have drank beers and stared at this succulent for over twenty years. They were both really sad at how the lack of rain is taking on toll this plant.

It was insane the amount of quail in the campground. Sara goes nuts over squirrels and lizards, apparently she's not a big dog. She could care less about the quail.

It was insane the amount of quail in the campground. Sara goes nuts over squirrels and lizards, apparently she’s not a bird dog. She could care less about the quail.

We saw these signs all over SLO, Morro, and MDO. I just assumed it was for tsunami warnings. Wrong! It’s for the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, five miles south of MDO.

One of the trails at Morro Bay State Park. The longest paver trail we’ve encountered, it was at least a quarter mile.

Some Jakes running around on Morro Bay Golf Course.

Hanging out at the campsite.

This is from a hike Amelia and Denise took along the sand dunes north of Spooner Cove.

Seep Monkey Pod

Pacific Tree Frog. Amelia and Denise ran into more than they could count. The tree looked alive as the frogs were jumping. They can be black, green, or brown.

Pacific Tree Frog. Amelia and Denise ran into more of these frogs than they could count. The tree looked alive as the frogs were jumping. They can be black, green, or brown.

In case you are color blind, this one is green.

Rob, Denise, and Amelia enjoying some tasters at Firestone Walker in Paso Robles.

First winery stop after Firestone Walker.

Silhouette du Coeur, Niner Wine Estates.

Betsy the Bassett Hound and Bagheera the St.Bernard in Cayucos. It was our second Bassett we saw that day. The story here is my brother always wanted a St. Bernard. So whenever we see one it puts a big smile on my face. What a huge treat to see the two dogs together.

Betsy the Bassett Hound and Bagheera the St.Bernard in Cayucos. It was the second Bassett we saw that day. The story here is my brother always wanted a St. Bernard. So whenever we see one it puts a big smile on my face. And of course, Bassetts always make us smile. What a huge treat to see the two dogs together.