One of the local trails heads up to Bishop’s Peak, one of the 9 Sisters – a series of mountains that run out into the ocean. It’s near Cal-Poly, and we shared the trail with quite a few college and high-school students who are out on spring break. The weather was great and the views were expansive, especially up at the peak. The trail started on the north-east side and worked our way up to the south-west, affording a change of scenery as we worked our way around the mountain, from overlooking SLO to a view across the hilly ranch/farm land.

At the peak, Ashley waited while I scrambled up to the top of the rocks. We’re not sure how allergic to poison oak we might be and she didn’t want to find out the hard way, as it seemed to be everywhere.

Before leaving Ashley put together beans in the crockpot and prepped dough for bread. When we returned she baked the bread and made rice. Once everything was ready we all headed over to Matt’s apartment for supper. He shares a house with a couple of other guys. It has a fabulous view of the bay and some amazing landscaping – he really lucked out. Supper was delicious, as always!

We had our first companion while exploring a national park during this trip! Jim joined us for a day trip up to Pinnacles National Park. It was so much fun to share the experience with someone. Our hiking speed is faster than his but this gave us a great opportunity to take more breaks to enjoy the scenery – we’re so likely to rush to a big viewpoint and then pause for only a moment.

With only a day’s visit, we chose a loop trail that headed up through the heart of the pinnacles. What beautiful views! We were reminded of the Black Hills, particularly the Cathedral Spires.

On the descent we stopped at the Condor Canyon where we spotted a couple of California Condors.

Fabulous visit to a beautiful park. It’s not the most dramatic of the parks, nor the largest, but we were rewarded with amazing views and only a handful of other visitors. So glad that we got to share it with Jim!

Great day spent hanging out with Jim and Karen. Ashley and Karen talked horoscopes/birth signs. We decorated Easter eggs – haven’t done that in years.

We joined Jim on a nearby favorite ride. I oiled and adjusted the mountain bikes before we left and we put them to use on the trail. It was a beautiful ride and a lot of fun. Ashley’s first ride on a trail that wasn’t a glorified sidewalk. She grew more comfortable and confident as she went. I left them behind, playing on the trail ahead of them. What beautiful views from the stops and the peak!

An Easter feast was prepared and Matt joined us for supper.

Karen showed us around the area, exploring the SLO farmer’s market, driving by the Rock in Morro Bay, seeing otters in the bay, and generally exploring. Headed up to Cayucos and sampled some cookies from the Brown Butter Cookie Company – delicious! Jim and Karen used to live here, in a great little cottage, and we swung by to check out their old digs.

Otters swimming in Morro Bay

After a leisurely morning chatting with Jim and Karen, Karen eventually had to head off to work. Ashley and I headed out for a mini hike along the bluff trail in the nearby Montana de Oro park. Beautiful views along the coast of the rocky outcroppings in the ocean.

Matt came over and joined us for supper.

Woke early and headed up the 1. Stopped to take care of some chores online and to pass a bit of time. Completed, we continued on into San Luis Obispo and found parking. Walked downtown to check out the shops and pass the afternoon until Jim and Karen were home from work. Stopped at the Central Coast Brewing company for a drink and as a place to sit and rest for a bit.

Received word that everyone was going to be home, so we headed their way. Once parked and after receiving the house tour we all went back to SLO to peruse the farmer’s market. Picked up some delicious BBQ (tri-tip and pulled pork sandwiched)! Into the bookstore/coffee shop where we sat and talked until far too late.

Back at the house, we looked through photo albums before finally heading off to bed.

rough draft of title header

Packed up and moved back into the RV, evacuated the cabin, and headed back to Carpinteria. The drive through LA sprawl traffic was obnoxiously slow – no accidents or construction, just the usual slow crawl. An estimated 3.5 hour drive took ~6.

Stopped at Jake and Jennie’s to return un-used snow board and gear and visited for a bit. Before the sun set we headed on, stopping for coffee to fuel a bit of night driving. Made it up to a rest stop in Gaviota. Seemed like a good enough place so we parked and spent the night.

Fabulous week spent enjoying the luxuries of house living – cooked and used as many dishes as we felt like. Saucers under our coffee cups, made cheesecake, baked a second soda bread, and generally had a great time. Luxuriously long showers (or so it seemed to us).

Cheesecake!

coffee/tea collection

On Saturday we motorcycled out Hwy 18 to the PCT crossing and hiked ~10 miles for a 20 mile round-trip. 3 miles south and at least 7 miles north on the trail.

Joshua Trees in bloom

Tuesday we went back to the Cougar Canyon trail from last Tuesday and hopped back on the PCT, hiking south to “meet ourselves” where we turned around on Saturday, completing that leg of the trail.

snack break along the way

We met ourselves!

Painted the license plate for the front of the RV, threw together a couple of other paintings, and together we created a draft of an Adventure-Some logo. We’ll look into getting it made into a vinyl sticker or a magnet for the back of the RV.

Ended up being a good hang-around day. I finished reading the current book, Ashley baked some new cardamom cookies, etc.

For Ashley’s date night this month she treated me to breakfast in bed. Reading in the bathtub while she cooked. Blueberry banana cakes, breakfast sausage, decaf coffee, fried egg over greens, and even a mimosa! Decadent and delicious!

We watched a movie, Gattica, chosen from one of the many recorded on Video Cassettes, while enjoying some decaf coffee and the cardamom cookies. Then watched Simon Birch in the bedroom.