Travel

That Dam Lopez Lake or: (How I Learned to Drive a Boat)

I’ve been boogie boarding quite a bit lately. Getting back into the water has been an enthralling adventure—even despite the Pacific Ocean’s three constants: it’s always cold, it’s always windy, and it’s always cold.

Sometimes, a feller just needs a warm lake and a boat.

Megan and I moved from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho to San Luis Obispo, California this year. North Idaho has no ocean (which I hope you know), but does have close to three-billion lakes in it’s vicinity (mildly exaggerating). Needless to say, visiting lakes was not a priority for us.

A friend of mine recently purchased the Lopez Lake Marina, and I’ve been desperate to see what he’s done with the place. So we went to a lake.

Orcutt Road

Our day started with a beautiful drive on the backroads of San Luis Obispo. There’s a great little curvy road which takes you straight (well, curvy) towards the lake. We call it old Orcutt road.

Wineries have blossomed on just about every hillside. My friend Aaron put it this way, “at least they’re covering hills with grapes and not with houses and Costcos.” It’s true. Despite my reservations regarding these fast-expanding wineries, the beauty of these old SLO roads are protected. (more…)

Monterey: You Otter See This Place

Monterey

Yesterday, the wife and I visited Monterey Bay. For the ocean lover it’s a hard to beat stop on the California One. We were lucky, only two hours from San Luis Obispo. Our journey wasn’t as thorough as hoped, but we fit in what we could.

The purpose of the trip was to visit my brother and grandfather, the pair have been working in the bay. We arrived earlier than they were ready to meet for lunch, so we stopped at Fisherman’s Wharf to explore.

The Wharf is great. There were two boardwalks—one built for tourists with shops and restaurants and another for the fishing industry—and both can be traveled upon. The first, more touristy boardwalk, carried hostesses outside of their restaurants offering clam chowder samples. Later, my grandfather called these people barkers, I guess that’s a term.

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The other boardwalk, or pier, was more true to fishing and marine life. It was there we looked down and saw a lonely otter, dipping below the water and returning with fresh muscles from the pier side. The otter did lay beautiful on it’s back as we watched, with a better view than those paying aquarium admission, her break open the shells and eat the ill-fated, squirmy treasure. 

otter

The entire Wharf, as you’d imagine, was surrounded by sailing boats and fishing vessels. As a former student of the Fall semester North Idaho College sailing class (no big deal here), I must admit my ocean-loins were raging. Is that a thing? 

Definitely a thing.

As I was saying, the boats of the Wharf were something to see. I’ve never been on a ocean vessel; it is a dream of mine and I hope to sail the seas someday.

ships

Just as our parking spot, we ran out of time. We left the Wharf and joined my brother and grandfather in Moss Landings, just north of Monterey. A small town who doesn’t offer much except fresh seafood, a quaint beach, and (on the way in) a killer farm stand, Moss Landings was quite enough for me.

Impulsively, we swerved off the road and stopped at a farm stand offering “Artichokes 10 for $1”. As any green-blooded american would expect, we went to town on produce. Kiwis, avocados, jalepenos, pistachios, a big jar of garlic-infused olives… and of course artichokes.

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Finally, we ended up in Moss Landing at none other than world famous Phil’s Fish Market. I had never heard of this place before, but apparently it’s a big deal. Just like the website asks, I too wondered, “is this worth the wait?” The line petered out the front door into the parking lot. I didn’t realize it then but we were probably the last of fifty people in line.

It took a while.

The line was so long in fact, we ordered drinks as we stood. I enjoyed a tasty Guinness. It’s too easy to forget how well the beer pairs with seafood. (A lesson I first learned from my Ireland trip).

The food, the beer, the catching up; it was all great. My brother and I shared a platter of deep fried seafood; we haven’t done that since we were children. My grandpa always teases me about my childhood fear of thinking the deep-fried squid were deep-fried spiders.

Some things they’ll just never let go.

food

As tasty as the food was, I must admit, the best part was not the food itself. Anyone can deep fry a squid. The best part of Phil’s was the atmosphere. We sat outside and enjoyed the sound of the waves and the heat of the sunshine. After, we all walked along a short trail, just outside the restaurant, to the beach.

It was the first time I can ever remember going to the beach with my grandpa. He spoke of the hassle he felt the ocean’s shores to be. The sand, the wind… But even he, my grandpa, was enjoying himself at the beach that day.

As I get older, times like these become more and more special.

Our sky made ready for the night. The sun began to dip cautiously into the horizon like a match extinguishing in water. We all looked on. As a final end to our travels, a pair of otters broke the surface to bid us all a good day’s journey and a safe passage home.

Salmon Creek Trail: Yes Sur, A Big One

Last weekend, my friend Randall suggested we hike Salmon Creek Trail. So Megan and I went hit the road, with Randall of course, to find Salmon Creek and this supposed waterfall he had been talking about. According to him, it was south of Big Sur and right off the Pacific Coast Highway.

For those that have never been, the PCH, or HWY 1, is a killer drive. Since it’s curvy and the views are gorgeous, it takes quite a bit longer to get from A to B. So if you need to be some where soon, get on the 101 and stay off the 1.

It was just like Randall said, about an hour north of San Luis Obispo and right off the highway on an inside curve with limited parking. If you’re not paying attention, you could miss it.

The trail leads to mountains with beautiful ocean views and other sights we didn’t see. Randall, a veteran CCC (California Conservation Corps) member, knew something truly gorgeous and unique about this little trail off the PCH.

“You see that waterfall,” he asked, pointing to the large and beautiful body of water dropping endlessly off the mountain, “we’re going to hike up there and find a cave right inside.” I look at Megan, she looks at me, we look at Randall.waterfall

“Randall,” I asked, “is that an easy climb? It’s kind of high.”

“Oh yeah, you’ll be fine.” I look back at Megan, she looks back at me, we look at the car.

Besides a few steep moments, the hike wasn’t too bad; in fact, it was quite fun. I was climbing over giant boulders and exploring the wild in ways I’ve only read about. I hadn’t felt this way since I was four years old and climbing in the McDonalds playground, except this time, NO PARENTS.

Randall RockRandall was an excellent guide, quite the sherpa really. Every time I thought we were lost, he proved me wrong. A few times I worried about the safety of my wife, not because of her hiking and climbing skills, but because it had rained the day before and the earth was not quite fit for an outing like ours, in the shoes we were wearing. Megan did great though, I was proud.

So we finally reached the top and sat on a boulder overlooking the waterfall. It was beautiful. “See that little hole in the rock?” Randall asked as he pointed to the rock wall next to us. I didn’t want to answer. I would’ve been fine ending it here; it was gorgeous enough and I had a Fiber One granola bar calling my name. He didn’t wait for my answer, “We need to squeeze through there, that’s the cave.”Overlook

I looked at Randall, I looked at the hole, I looked back at Randall. “And you can fit?” (Randall isn’t fat, he just looks bigger than the hole). “Randall,” I asked, “is this some sort of bible lesson? Camel and the eye of the needle and all that? Rich man not getting into heaven? Because I think I’ve learned my lesson.”

Randall squeezed himself through the hole and into the cave. “Come in on your stomach,” he yelled from the echo-y chamber, “there’s rocks for your right foot, I’ll guide you!” I looked at Megan, she shook her head, I looked at the hole.hole randall

I squeezed in and left Megan to overlook the waterfall. Randall guided me in and again, it was just like he said: drop down and your right foot will hit a pile of big rocks. Though he didn’t tell me the top one was wobbly.

What I saw inside the cave was absolutely breathtaking. Immediately, I was drawn in to a Tolken story or something magical along those lines. The cave walls were covered in fresh green moss with plants and flowers for the trim. The waterfall fell on both sides of the opening and we looked out.

I grasped for my phone but it was left with Megan; we didn’t want to damage it sliding in to the cave. I regretted not having it, though I knew this place was too special to be captured through an iPhone camera anyways.

It now only lives in my memory and it’s fine that way. I guess, without the picture, I’m more prone to go back and relive it someday. I’d go on, but that’s the meat the story. I hope you can make it there, it’s truly a special place.

I’m Trying to Kill My Wife: Montaño De Oro Edition

photoSo my wife thinks I’m trying to kill her. She keeps pointing out stuff about California I never really thought about and now I must admit; it sounds a little fishy.

“You brought me to a land of earthquakes, rattlesnakes, tsunamis, giant spiders, mountain lions, poison oak, and sharks. Are you trying to kill me?”

“But it’s sunny!” I insist.

Anyways, we went to Montaño De Oro State Park today. It’s literally one of my favorite places on the planet. Today I realized how similar it is to certain parts of the Dingle Peninsula in Ireland. That could be a reason why. So if you haven’t been to this State Park before, go now!

I’ll give you a tip first: Dress warm. It’s always windy, but today was extra chilly. Always worth it of course. Thankfully, last second I remembered a puffy-vest was currently sleeping in the back of my car. That did the trick.

Before you even hit the water, the drive up is incredible. Take Los Osos Valley Rd. until it turns into a little town. Keep straight and it will take you up a little hill that eventually gets curvy, woodsy, and fun. You’ll start seeing signs for the state park. There’s also cars parked along the way, no doubt surfers attempting some “secret” spot.

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It could be a car commercial road, like wooosh

As soon you pass a gorgeous ocean scenery, well, yeah you’re there. The ocean.

Before I moved to Idaho, I told myself that my favorite spot in California was Montaño. I’m not sure if that holds true any more, but it’s Top 5. And I’m a Top 5 type of guy.

If you’re into scenic pictures, there’s even VW Vans.

Through Painted Oceans

Through Painted Oceans

If you’re into surfing. Don’t go to this beach. It’s very rocky, and I’m not talking Stallone. Well I may be, it depends on your definition of “Stallone.”

I won’t bore you with endless pictures taken from my iPhone. If you scour the internet, I’m sure people brought real cameras and took great shots worthy of a book or something. Still, I really like this last one. So here it is:

I call this one "Rock in Ocean"

I call this one “Rock’n Ocean”

Yeah you should come here. If you’ve been, then you know what I mean. If you are a friend from Idaho reading this, you need to see this for yourself. So come visit already.