Un-Charted Journey

We didn't plot this journey . . . we just knew that we needed some days away . . . so we packed light and weren't concerned with what to wear. We both brought our hooded sweatshirts, matter of fact, I brought two; layering works well when I'm cold to the bone.

We knew where we were going when we arrived in Santa Barbara yesterday afternoon and learned the number one room at the Ala Mar Motel was available. We had stayed in that room years ago, and Mr. Fun was determined that we'd stay there again someday. So yesterday was that someday. From that second floor room we had a wonderful view of the ocean and of Santa Barbara's Stern's Wharf (the pier). I thought the room looked a little in need of some tender-loving-care, but Mr. Fun thought it was perfect. It was a large room with a gas fireplace, a big screen TV, french doors that opened to a mini- balcony, a king-sized bed, and an adequate bathroom. It also had an open-beam ceiling, so when the rain poured slightly after mid-night I woke my sound asleep man to tell him, "Listen!" and he did. Rain pounding on the roof was a lovely serenade that sent us straight back to slumberland.

This morning we woke to once again confess to each other that we had no expectations, no map, no destination. So the day would be wrapped with the ribbon of surprise. After eating fresh cooked waffles in our room, we walked across the street onto the sand and out to the water's edge. We also looked at a cottage for rent with thoughts of January and a place to stay with my sis when she comes south from Portland for a week.

We then decided to make an escape from Santa Barbara's swaying palms, sea breeze and the ocean orchestra to begin a journey further north.

We stopped at Shell Beach, which is about an hour north of SB, for lunch in a restaurant right on the ocean cliff with the waves just below us and Avila Beach off in the far distance.

We then drove to Avila Beach to check the lodging available there. Because there are few motels and resorts, they can charge exorbitant prices and do. So we checked them off our list and continued north with a detour to Montana del Oro State Beach. Just slightly over six years ago a group of us went on a charter bus with our friend George, the music director at our church, to befriend him as he deposited his wife's ashes there in the ocean. Pam had died of cancer; it was all very sad. Going there today was not just nostalgic, it was meaningful in recognizing the value of life and that each day counts.

We left the State Beach, drove through the little community Los Osos and then through the beautiful Morro Bay State Park, and on into the community of Morro Bay.

I wasn't going to tell that we are in Morro Bay tonight because I thought lots of folks would recognize this coastal landmark. Then I realized the ridiculousness of doing that in this International Blip community. Honestly, lots of you would have no idea where this is.

The photo is from our third floor motel room (which is less than half the price we paid last night). Morro Bay isn't as pricey as Santa Barbara. Some would say that's because it is not SB, which is true. It is, though, a lovely little coastal fishing community that tourists love.

I wanted desperately to construct a collage of the many views my camera captured today, but I am exerting intense control and not doing a collage and have chosen this frame taken just as we arrived and got to see the sun setting far off in the Pacific, but before it was gone the sun left its signature across the sky.

I longed to reach with both arms to pull-in this cotton ball cloud. I thought hugging and holding it would be a spectacular moment, but then I realized that others in this community might be enjoying the cloud too and my "hogging-it" would deprive them of its splendor.

So I've about used up my quotient of "control" for this weekend.

And tomorrow, well, I'm anticipating waking-up to another award winning day spiced with surprise. I'm going to lean into it and savor every moment.

Hope you have a great Sunday.
Good night from the Central Coast of California.
Rosie (& Mr. Fun), aka Carol