The 101 on the Highway 1

After the Big "C" (shh, cancer), my body was feeling weary from the ordeal, and our typical summer vacation was sounding too strenuous. We needed a soul-soothing, body-refreshing trip that was also budget friendly (yikes, medical bills). My husband's father lives in Morro Bay, and we decided that would be a perfect destination for a road trip.

We hopped into our Honda with a pile of camping gear and a our little dog, too, and headed south on the "5" to the "101" to the "1". (Do I sound like a Californian?) Both of us were born in California: he in the valley, me in the rolling hills of the Northern Coast. I was hoping to find my birthplace (a hippie cabin built with a Swiss Army Knife and a saw in the middle of nowhere). We didn't, but the scenery tugged on some innate part of my being, calling me home.

The first part of the "1" is slow moving; often a one lane road through a forest of madrone and oak trees, up and up and up until you break through and arrive at the Pacific Ocean. All of the sudden it is there, in your face, with wild hills, rugged rocky shore-breaks, and a scent of honey of in the breeze.

Our first stop was the famed Agate Beach at Patrick's Point State Park. When planning our trip to California, I was disappointed at how many natural areas do not allow dogs beyond the campground. Agate Beach is no exception. I know there are good reasons behind these rules, but it is frustrating when you are trying to visit the region with your furry travel companion. At Agate Beach, we left the pup basking in the sun in the car (with the windows cracked, of course--her optimal outdoor temperature is 85 or more) while we walked down to the beach. In Oregon, it is common to find lonely beaches to stroll on (with your dog), so I was a little stunned by how many people were strolling along Agate Beach with giant agate-collecting contraptions. There were hundreds!! I am exaggerating, but there were at least fifty or so.

Agate Beach is aptly named, because every square inch is covered with ocean-polished stones. Both of us love to sit for hours on a pile of pebbles looking for the perfect rock. I was happy to find some agates, snap a shot for memory (I didn't want to weigh down my pockets), and urged my husband back up to the car to rescue the dog (who didn't need any rescuing and was quite annoyed we woke her up and proceeded to stand shivering on the grass while we ate our picnic lunch).

We didn't stay at Patrick's Point, but instead pitched our tent at Gualala Point Regional Park for the first few nights of our road trip, because dogs are allowed on the beach and on the nature trails along the bluffs above the beach. Win-win! The campground itself was dark and buggy -- I completely forgot the time of year meant mosquitoes. I hate the blood-suckers. However, once you are on the trail to the beach and venture either beachside or up the bluffs, the bugs are nowhere to be found! We walked many miles back and forth and up and down the nature trails. We also were content to sit on the pebbly beach and hunt for agates. The town above the park, also named Gualala, has everything a traveler needs, including one of the best Mexican meals that I have had in a LONG time. Maybe it was because we were starving, or maybe because it was the best, I don't know, but the chilaquiles were delicious at Antonio's Tacos. The waitress warned me that they were spicy, but I love spice and for me, they weren't spicy at all. In fact, I doused it with some of their homemade salsas and escabeche, and then I had a fire in my mouth! Yeah baby.

 Our drive down to Morro Bay was grand and picturesque. We were trying to make it to our motel by check-in, so we didn't stop too often. I did, however, snap several pictures from the car.

Fort Ross was unfortunately closed. The camp host at Gualala said it was of historical interest in regards to the Russian history of the area. We were sad to have missed it.

Monterey was incredibly touristy, but we enjoyed walking around and eating a delicious fish sandwich on the wharf at Domenico's. They have a grab-and-go out front that made walking with the dog and eating lunch hassle-free.

We finally arrived at Morro Bay in time for a sunset stroll and dinner with dad. We stayed at the Morro Bay Sandpiper Inn which is inexpensive, simple, and has all that a traveler needs: clean comfort. The location was perfect with a great view of the Morro rock and a short walk to downtown and the boardwalk.

We rented a double kayak at The Kayak Shack to tour around the estuary.  This was our pup's first boat ride, and not only did she handle it well, she loved having a front row seat to view all the bird life. We were hoping to see otters, but we did not paddle out far enough to see them. They are usually hanging out by the haystack rock at Coleman Park. I highly recommend kayaking, and we were completely satisfied with our rental--a fair price and friendly service. The Morro State Park is also host to a Natural History Museum and a wildlife viewing boardwalk.

Our living figurehead

Along the boardwalk in the estuary at Morro State Park

We mostly were treated to delicious home-cooked meals, but our last night there, we had a meal at Hofbrau, a German restaurant. The food was typical German-fare and scrumptious! I went for the traditional meal of sauerkraut and sausage, and I felt momentarily transported to one of my past Eastern European travels. We also found a spot out on the patio and were serenaded to by passing sea lions. A sea otter stopped to play for a while below our feet and taunt the puppy. Not a bad way to end a pleasant, relaxing trip.

All those brown lumps are sea otters sunning themselves.