Time to move on

The Morro Rock at sunset



December 12th, 2008 53* cloudy

We did the laundry today as it has accumulated quite a bit over the last 10 days. Here at the strand on the beach we have no hook ups so Deanna can't use her washer to keep up. So we saved all the real fun till today! Anyways that is caught up and we are good to go till we get to a regular campground. The next week we will be in the desert doing more boondocking. I possibly may have to buy new batteries as mine are showing their age and don't last near as long as they use to.

After finishing the laundry, I ran down and got us a pizza as we haven't had that fix for a while and it sure tasted good! Afterwards we headed to see the Elephant seals and man were they a site! For probably 3-4 miles along the coast you could see them scattered around. There is a particular spot that they hang out in that is all fenced off to keep people from bothering them. Some really huge ones as they get up to 2-1/2 tons and taller than a man when they rear up! Mostly males are on the beach but some females and some pups are there. We did see one that had died and was providing life to the birds. Quite a site to see them all there and they come from thousands of miles away! Now that is a finely tuned GPS system they got! It's funny to hear the males bark and chase the smaller ones away, and once in a while a big one will decide he has the urge and just so charging over to a female and do a little business! :) This all takes place just up the road past a town called San Simeon. Hearst Castle is near there and you drive past the entrance to the castle and go another 4 miles to the spot for the Seals. A site not to be missed in the area.









Well, we said our goodbyes to the ocean tonight :( it was interesting that in the last 2 days we witnessed the lowest and highest tides in the total time we have been here which totals about 20 days. The tide is pulled by the moon and the sun and it just so happens that the moon is closest to the earth right now by 28,000 miles which is causing the tide swings in such great amounts. It's been great hearing the ocean at night and we will miss it but the desert is calling my name. I have waited 2-1/2 years to get back there. So tomorrow morning we will hitch up and move on. Hope to get in about 400 miles tomorrow and that will only leave us about another 125 to our destination of Quartzsite Arizona. I might add that its actually a good time to be leaving as the weather is about to come into play here. Rain and cold temps are predicted for the next 5 days with some snow at the higher elevations. We want to make sure we are out of the range of the snow by afternoon tomorrow. Last time we were here it was 70-80* everyday and the day we left they got a hail storm an hour later! LOL

Tony and Charlotte left this morning and it was sad to see our time end with them but was great just seeing them again. Tony is such a card and always puts the funniest spin on his experiences. He has written a book including a lot of the experiences he had workin here as a camphost and a lot of information for those looking to live on the road. You can check it out here The Firedude! Thanks for the great time buddy! Hope you can make it back East this summer!

So with that I salute the ocean and it's marvels till next time. Adjusting to this time change is a test and tomorrow we will lose an hour on our way east. Till next episode!!!!!!!!!!