Starting off week four, Pearl and I will head north along one of the most scenic roads in America. But first, not without coffee. There could be no better place for a Scout driver to grab a hot cup of Joe, than Scout Coffee in San Luis Obispo. Opting for the photographic shot, I headed to Scout Coffee II and found the perfect spot, which really should be held in reserve for Scout Drivers, right under the sign.

It was an awesome start to the day; fantastic coffee, delicious pastries, and a photo op that Pearl was perfect for. Having beat the early morning rush, we headed back to the hotel for checkout and to get on the road. We didn’t have far to go today, but we had a few spots along the famous coastal highway to check out. Making our way north, the first stop was set for Morro Bay, off a recommendation for lunch. Before grabbing a bite to eat, I toured through the small town and felt as I had been transported back to North Carolina. The setting matched Taylors Creek, with sailboats anchored across the creek along retail shops, restaurants, and marine business lining the street. I stopped at the boat ramp and chatted with the local wildlife enforcement officer who noticed me drive by the first time. Its always great to meet new people, but when traveling and planning to recreate, it is to your advantage to know the law. Having grabbed a bite to eat, I was less than impressed by the recommended restaurant.

Continuing north, we headed along the Pacific Coast Highway, for Hearst Ranch Winery. Most places today still require a reservation, but what I have found is that traveling alone does have one great perk; quick and easy sittings at restaurants. While the Hearst Ranch Winery doesn’t offer food, they do have a food truck available, but that’s not why I was there. The wine is what drew me to stop. This famous ranch, 80,000 acres has been family operated for over a century and a half. While the Winery is the newest addition, the historical richness of the area, made for an amazing setting to enjoy a wine tasting.

Delightfully satisfied with my excursion into wine tasting, I still had a couple stops to make before making it to our final destination today. Perhaps the most interesting stop of the day was next on the route. Having only seen elephant seals on tv before, I was more than impressed by the size of these behemoths, but even more by the quickness of the largest of the specimens. At over 2 tons, the largest seals moved with such ease; one would think the combination of what appeared a fat slug like mammal would be slow on land without feet. Au contraire, I witnessed multiple of these beasts speedily scoot across the sand with purpose.

With one picturesque vista left on our route today, Pearl and I bucked off the strong coastal winds and headed for the Bixby Creek Bridge. Along the way, we could see the scars left by the recent rockslides that ripped through the area, limiting travel up and down the PCH. While my goal to snap a shot of Pearl in front of the world famous bridge, the traffic patterns heading north do not safely allow for this. Come to think of it, pulling off the road on the northbound side, really doesn’t offer a safe exit either; thank goodness Pearl is right hand drive, allowing me more than enough room to exit and time to look both ways before crossing the road. Being able to make it this far along the Pacific Coast Highway has made my day. Now, it was on to Pacific Grove to spend time with my Uncles, John and David. I have not been back to this region of California for 20 years, so I was excited to see how things may have changed. Making it to their house, we caught up for a bit before having a delightful dinner of crab cakes, rice, and asparagus while we watched “The Interpreter”

Over the next week, I had planned to not do much but hang out, visit, and explore a little around a town. Our typical daily schedule consists of a morning walk around 4 miles then breakfast, maybe a little work during the day, and then dinner and a movie each night.

Weekends here tend to get pretty busy, especially now that Covid restrictions are letting up. Spending much of Saturday and Sunday on the front porch, knocking out a couple articles. I could watch as many people walked, drove or biked along Ocean View Blvd, catching some peering up to the house with looks of awe on their faces.

Over the last week, David and I have watched many soccer matches while Uncle John was working. The Euro Championship and Copa America are being played as well as the NCAA Men’s College Baseball Playoffs and NC State is playing for a chance to win the title this year. On Sunday, we closed out the Super Regional Series with Arkansas (#1 in the nation) with an emphatic win, sending us to the College World Series.

After traveling over 4400 miles so far, I needed to have Pearl looked at to make sure she was still running good. We dropped her off Monday afternoon to get looked over. Here is where the gloom sets in for me, it would end up being over a week before I pick her up. This break in my trip has been great; but without Pearl, it has been somewhat deflating. I don’t want to explore without her.

This week, also happens to be the 63rd Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. While I haven’t been in Morehead City to witness the weigh ins live in quite a while, I still enjoy tuning in to see billfish and gamefish alike coming to the scales. The energy around Big Rock Landing with a boat backing into the slip is intense; and certainly when a $1M+ purse on the line.

The week is almost over, but I don’t feel as it has flown by. Having planned only one touristy thing to do this week, I headed for the Aquarium today. Taking the chance to walk, I made my way downtown around lunch for a bite to eat first. Stopping in the Fish Hopper, I had a bowl of Clam Chowder with Dungenesss Crab meat. Finishing lunch, I made my way the few blocks to the aquarium, and hopped in line with all the other visitors for the 1pm entry time. Immediately upon entry, I remember how much I dislike crowds and how people aimlessly walk. around. But I didn’t let that damper the moment and enjoyed my visit. Having spent much of my life in a coastal environment, fishing or exploring is not new to me and neither is much of what is exhibited here. But one of the coolest spaces is the open sea and deep water area of the aquarium, especially the jellyfish exhibit. All kinds of shapes, colors, and tentacles, these creatures really are cool.

Completing my visit at the aquarium, I couldn’t not stop by to see the sea otters. The one question I had on my mind, was what do they do at night? Where do they sleep? With the understanding that the answer may not be exciting, I was pleasantly surprised. The answer was two fold and only increases the cuteness level of sea otters:

1. They wrap up in kelp, like a blanket to stay anchored in place
2. They will hold hands with other otters and form a raft if they are not near a kelp forest

Incredible.

Week 4 Mileage – 150.3

Month 1 Mileage – 5038.2