Sequel 1 - November 5, 2001 - Elephant Seals Return

Touring My Own Backyard on the Central Coast

Wow! We drove the same route going over with 80 degree sunny blue sky weather inland til with mountains and views of the Autumn colors. We reached the coast still with blue sky and view of the Pacific Ocean far and wide with almost no fog except south near Los Osos and a misty Morro Rock, as we came over the mountain tops. Entering Cambria again we stopped for an expresso at the picturesque Coffee Den Roasting Co.(photo in album). Then we drove up Hwy 1 to the Piedras Blancas beaches full of returned Elephant Seals. Only this time the pups had turned into yearlings amongst some females and young bull males. They made their unusual gurgling, honking, or perhaps a snoring sound this time as many were playfully swimming in pairs while others were asleep or laying out resting on the beaches getting some sun. There were many rocky and sandy coves that they were nestled in. The tide was in so we couldn't walk too far. But at the furthest beach cove ahead we could see some bulls in mock fighting.

The wind was much calmer on this very beautiful day, so there was no sand blowing in our faces like in March (you may have heard of March Winds bring April Showers...)So we hiked over the wet and dry sands and passing thru some seals as we were looking for a bluff trail where we walked thru low dry grassy lands up above on some bluffs right along Hwy 1. We backtracked and tried going further till a marshy stream caused us to turn back.

Then we drove back down to Cambria taking the Moonstone Drive and took a walking tour of the luxurious seaside homes between one conserved ranch for walkers and a county park at the far end of some homes all along the seabluffs. It was all very interesting and picturesque. One lot size 50"X100' was for sale at $279,000.00 and one very modern blufftop home for $1,300,000.00.

My legs were really getting sore and giving out a bit as I hadn't walked so much in ten years I told my friend. He really had too much energy that day. Later we stopped for a nice drink and met some other patrons, one an builder house designer at the Cambria Pines Lodge up on the hill above the ocean on one side with the downtown on the other in a little valley.

On our return after sunset we took the same repaired and looking brand new Hwy 46 home rather than the more curvy Hwy 41. Over inland we stopped at the local Factory Outlet off Hwy 101 at Del Rio Road and peeked into the remodelled Wine Outlet that is very nice with a coffee bar. That macchiato smelled very good.

The Drive over Hwy 46, up Hwy 1 to see the Elephant Seals Yahoo Photo Album November 5, 2001.

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