It's weird to writing 2017 especially for me because I have a very poor sense of time. The beginning of a new year always holds such promise. I do hope that 2017 proves to be the best year ever!
January 1, we left the hotel life to get back on the camping circuit. Many of the campgrounds that we looked at staying along the coast were booked. Apparently a lot of people camp during the holiday week. After looking online we decided to head to Montaña de Oro , a California State Park in Los Osos, CA ($25/night - Senior discount $23/night). We stayed here for two nights and would have probably stayed longer had it not been so rainy and cold. The park itself is right on the coast with gorgeous views. For those of you who think the gorgeous views include me, as shown in the picture below, you would be absolutely right :)
While Alex was set up here at this campground we spent a day with Carrie travelling up the coast on Route 1, which follows the coastline. The day was overcast and drizzly but we still enjoyed it. We stopped by Hearst Castle in San Simeon. Well we didn't actually see the "castle", but we did peruse the visitor center for a while. Neither of us felt that we needed to spend the money to tour a rich persons garish home as we saw a enough of a sampling of the opulence at the Visitor Center. We also learned a bit about the Hearst family and their philanthropic work, especially William Randolph's mother, Phoebe, who donated not only money but also her time to various educational endeavors for women and children. She actually started an organization called the National Congress of Women, which was a forerunner of the modern PTA.
While at the Hearst Castle Visitor Center we found out about an observation area for Elephant Seals a few miles up the road. We spent quite a bit of time watching the seals, as there were hundreds, maybe thousands on shore. During this time of the year the female seals are giving birth on shore....this is also a mating time as well. The seals are not cute by any stretch but they were interesting to learn about and watch. We just missed having seen a baby born...which we knew based on the flock of gulls swarming the area. Apparently when a seal is giving birth the gulls swarm because they eat the afterbirth.,,,yum, yum...When giving birth to Gabriela one of the delivery nurses spoke of people in Plainfield doing this...not something that particularly interests me :)
Check out the schnoz on this seal and you'll know why they're called elephant seals.
For more information about the Elephant Seals check this website - Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery
Leave Camarillo, CA - 11:10am
Rte. 101N to Exit 200B for Osos Valley Rd.
Arrive Montaña de Oro Campground - 2:18pm
Miles Traveled - 160
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