We departed from SLO ( voted the Happiest Town in USA apparently), at 9.30am, after a bit of a sleep in and a restless nights sleep. It really was a very friendly place and quite scenic within close proximity to the major wine growing area of Paso Robles.
The plan is to have breakfast at Morro Bay, only 12 miles away, on the coast. Once again we have nice weather, and clear skies.
Our first vision of Morro Bay harbour is the imposing Morro Bay rock, and a harbour that seems to be a great haven for yachts, on a coast where there are not a lot of places you can seek shelter from poor weather.
Morro Bay Rock
We could hear seals "barking" from the harbour area and eventually spotted them on Otter Rock, in the middle of the bay.
Seals on Otter Rocks
We settled in to a nice restaurant on the waterfront for a very filling breakfast (we are still trying to get used to the size of American food servings), followed by a walk along a very touristy waterfront before heading back to the car for our journey North.
Our breakfast venue
From Morro Bay we head North on highway 1 (Cabrillo Hwy) to our final destination, Carmel. The coastal scenery is spectacular, with our first stop just past Cambria, with Hearst Castle up on the mountain top on our right side and a beach and jetty which was part of the same estate on our left.
Jetty and beach (below)
There was a bit of local wildlife as well
The road follows the coast North through all sorts of terrain, and it is tempting to pull over every few km to take another photo, but our next worthwhile stop is at a beach that is famous for the Elephant seal colony that frequents it.
Elephant seals sunning themselves
The beach is literally covered in seals, and they are continually flicking sand up over their bodies to protect them from the sun ( I assume), using their side flippers.
From here on the terrain starts to become mountainous as we enter the Big Sur Coastline. The road follows the coast well up the side of the mountains and the scenery is stunning. We also discover that their is a major cycling event on today with hundreds of cyclists involved on both sides of the road, as the course appears to be a loop starting and finishing at the same spot.
The cyclists add a new dimension to driving this narrow road. We are also amazed at the variety of bikes , including lots of tandem bicycles.
As we continue North, the a sea mist seems to be forming and it is becoming overcast, but still quite warm.
This whole section of the coast appears to be national Park, with walking trails and camping grounds scattered along the coastline, and lots of people out walking and camping, and some just cycling. There are a few little settlements along the way, with restaurants and general stores, and some accommodation.
By 2pm we have reached the settlement of Big Sur, and decide to stop for a light lunch, sharing a generous American style, sandwich between us.
We are now less than an hour away from Carmel, and should be there by 3pm. The driving also becomes easier as most of the mountainous coastline is now behind us, and we are now seeing more forests, and flatter ground.
Finally we arrive at Carmel by the Sea and finding our accommodation, The Mission Ranch, (owned by Clint Eastwood), is a breeze. It is stunning, set in a rural scene on the edge of the town, right on the ocean. The property was originally a farm, and there are buildings scattered over the site that have been changed into accommodation, and obviously a number of new ones built that fit in with theme.
The Macdonalds have already checked in, so once we settle into our room, the Hayloft, we contact Peter and Deidre and finally meet up. We both reckon it has been 20 years since the four of us last got together.
The Mission Ranch
The Hayloft
After meeting up with Peter and Deidre we decide to go for a walk into town along the waterfront, to get a feel for the surroundings and have a cup of coffee somewhere along the way.
Peter, Deirdre and Carole overlooking the beach at Carmel
Not a bad ocean view
Pebble Beach Golf Course across the bay
Setting up for a party on the beach
There are some amazing houses
Peter and Deirdre with the restaurant in the background
The Ranch has its own herd of sheep that graze between the ranch and the ocean
Dinner at the Mission Ranch restaurant
We had a most enjoyable dinner at the restaurant, enjoyed a few beers and some local wine, and turned in for an early night to hopefully get a good nights sleep.
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