Day 47: Another Paradise (2/21/22)

 We woke to magnificent skies of blue with huge, drifting clouds. There was a stiff, chill breeze. Most of the weekend crowd emptied out this morning, so we were left with lots of room to ourselves. 

We had water hookups and electric, but no sewer, but were right across the lane from the bathrooms. Showers required quarters, which we had few of, so we decided to take brief showers in the trailer and just empty out the gray water at night, into the soil. Not really kosher, but it doesn’t harm anything, so….

The biggest drawback is the lack of phone service and Internet. One of our first activities at Jalama this morning was to drive 20 minutes back into the hills, to where we could get phone connection (we’re selling one of our rentals and needed to stay in touch). This is where we finally found a signal:

Later we both took long walks along the beach, which stretched for miles to the south (at low tide), running below high bluffs covered with shrubs, grasses, and yellow leopard’s bane. (Probably also some poison oak, which is endemic to the California coast.) The air was clean, the sand smooth, the waves pounding and mesmerizing. 

This railroad runs along the coast, just behind the campground.

Some freight trains, but mostly the Amtrak Surfliner.

Would love to ride it someday.

The views from the campground were also pleasing and restful. 

I am finding this a restful, healing place. Have begun to read H.G. Wells’s The Invisible Man. A serious story, but some great humor.

Wind is rising, clouds are coming in. Tonight may bring a storm. Because the weather threatens cold and wet, Phil considered driving up to Pismo Beach to spend the night at Seacrest Motel, where we spent our honeymoon almost half a century ago. However, we discovered that room rates are $300/night, and on top of that is a non refundable pet fee of $200. So…no. Besides, I love storms. Especially at night.