Camping - Winter 2022

The morning began with rain, and we knew it would be cold and windy on the Monterey coast, so we dressed as warmly as possible and started out close to 9:00 with an ambitious itinerary: Casa de Fruta (near Hollister); and then on to Point Lobos State Beach, where we have been coming since we were infants, literally. It was one of our folks’s favorite outings. After an hour’s drive through cloud, rain, and occasional burst of sunlight,  we arrived at the first destination: Casa de Fruta, where our dad used to stop for dried fruit and samplings of fruit wines on the way to Monterey and Point Lobos. So of course we had to do the same, and came away with bags of dried mango, peaches, apricots, fresh strawberries, chocolates, and other goodies. I picked up a bottle of plum wine for memory’s sake (Phil and I stopped here on our honeymoon and bought plum wine almost half a century ago).  Then it was another hour’s drive to Point Lobos, where the wind whipped up the waves, chilled our...

 The morning dawned fair and sweet, and by 9:00 a.m. we were all (except Gayle and Phil) packed into the SUV, headed for the San Joaquin Valley and our childhood hometown of Ripon. The drive takes about 1 hour, 45 minutes, and is as familiar to us as the back our hands. No GPS needed: the winding road of Hwy 17 over the Santa Cruz mountains, the 880 past the San Jose airport to Mission Springs, then over to 680, which brings us to the Livermore cutoff (Hwy 84), then connecting to 580 to muscle our way over the Altamont Pass, and from thence into California’s fertile Central Valley. Whiz through Tracy and Manteca, and—Bob’s your uncle—you’re home. An added scenic bonus: a few almond blossoms still visible among the orchards, which have mostly gone to leaf. The main blossom time is mid to late February. I dropped off Paul and the boys at Cora’s house, then made it to my cousin Joanne’s home with Ruth for an 11:00 coffee date. We spent a glorious hour and a half catching up, then I dr...

This morning was taken up with a rambling walk on the beach with Phil, barefoot in the sand because the tide was high. We walked past vacation homes built on stilts by the beach, past the RV camping park at SeaCliff State Beach, and up to the pier.  It was a great hike, though walking in sand takes a lot more effort. It was wonderful to reach the pier and sit a bit. Then—oh, no—there was the entire way to hike back again… An afternoon nap was definitely called for.                                                               The boys spent the day working on projects at Gayle’s. Mike pulled out oxalis, calla lilies, and other creeping plants that were beginning to suffocate Gayle’s roses in the front garden. Paul worked in Gayle’s garage/guest bedroom, finding possible rat-holes and filling them wit...

Today was spent at the campsite and grocery store, purchasing meal ingredients in preparation for the arrival tonight of my brother Paul and his two sons, Paul III and Mike, from Virginia. They are coming in late, and I want to have dinner ready for them. Gayle and I gathered up a few essentials as well to tide them over the first day: eggs, milk, bread, cheese, butter, and jam.  In the morning I made a point of enjoying the splendid weather and park we’re camping in, spending time at the picnic ground again, listening to my audiobook and reveling in the greenery, the sunshine, the views.  I am so loving the California coast. The dogs are different animals, now that they are able to walk without fear of prickers in their feet. We wander around the campground together, hike the paths, explore the seashore. Their happiness makes me happy. The afternoon was spent doing a spit-polish to Glory’s cottage, where the boys will be staying in (right across the street from Gayle’s), and ...

 Several have asked us what our favorite place has been on this trip. It’s difficult to choose one, because most places we’ve camped have had some beauty. But this morning as I wandered around the grounds of New Brighton State Beach, I was caught up in its loveliness. Winter rains have made it green, almost to rival the green of England’s hills.  The picnic area is my favorite spot, with its stone tables and 1930s log shelter, set high on a bluff overlooking the Pacific. I lean on the fence that separates picnickers from the sheer, 30-foot drop to the beach, and look out over the shining expanse of water. I took my phone and ear buds and just sat on a picnic table, listening to one of Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache novels and reveling in the solitude, the fresh breeze, and the constant voice of the ocean.  We also took the dogs down to the beach, where they got even dirtier and sandier than before. We took off our sandals and let the surf run over our feet. I think we e...

Something is making it harder and harder for us to leave Jalama Beach. The weather keeps getting calmer and warmer. We woke to a colorful sunrise, fresh breezes, bright sunshine, and magnificent surf. But we wanted to make Santa Cruz in time for dinner with Gayle, so we were off by mid-morning. The drive up Hwy 1 and 101 was relatively calm, and it was a treat to see the inland valleys of the coastal range—lots of small towns, strawberry fields, cattle grazing. We pulled in to New Brighton State Beach in late afternoon, parked the trailer, and reveled in the spacious campsites and beauty of the park. Again, no sewer hookups, but we were two spaces away from the bathrooms and showers. After unpacking and settling in, we headed to Gayle’s cottage for a wonderful salmon dinner. Thank you, Gayle! We fell asleep to the sound of surf and the fragrance of pine and eucalyptus. And the snoring of the two dogs.