March 23, 2015
We are at Moss Landing, CA, just north of
Monterrey on Highway 1. This is a tiny
seaside community catering to all the boats harbored here (600 boat
slips). There are two rivers that join
before they hit the ocean, creating lots of room for boats. As a result, there are many restaurants
within walking distance of the harbor.
Our RV park is tucked in behind one of the dock areas. It’s an Express KOA, which in this case means
no playground, cabins, or tent areas. We
do have full hookups (electricity, water and sewer) and are across from the
laundry, which was convenient, as it was time for that chore.
Our back window view is not great:
The park is well kept and the sites are wide,
making it relatively easy to park. But
we did have about a half dozen people checking out our parking technique. It’s also about 2 blocks from the beach. And a walk through a gate put me in the dock
area where I watched a sea otter entertain two observers on the bridge near by. And as I’m writing this, I’m listening to the
sea otters bark. At least that’s what I
assume they are.
We spent Saturday and Sunday doing chores and
watching the NCAA. Today, we headed back
down Highway 1 to the restaurant where we had lunch last week. Highway 1 between San Simeon and Monterrey is
not an ideal road to pull a trailer on, so we did the southern portion from San
Simeon last Thursday and did the northern portion today.
On the way down to the restaurant, we stopped a
few times for photos.
Note the
arch in the cliff at the bottom and the house at the top.
Bixby Creek Bridge
At the restaurant, we enjoyed the view and the
food. On the way back to the truck we
spotted this black headed blue jay, known as Stellar’s Jay.
Then we started on our adventure. There is a 12 mile section of the old coast
road along here that’s supposed to have stunning views and old redwoods. Steve wanted to take it and since we have a 4
wheel drive truck, we did.
The views were fine, but we were a long way
from the ocean, so not spectacular. This is cattle country and we were driving
through the El Sur Ranch on the old right of way. There were cattle grazing in open areas. We also saw fields of California poppies.
And then we found the
redwoods. Tall trees that started in the
ravines below us and reached the sky well over our heads.
We drove through a number of groves and were
following a stream when we came to a narrow point in the road. I got out to take a picture of Steve driving
between the trees.
There were signs that some drivers had gotten
too close at some point.
After about an hour and a half (remember this
was a 12 mile drive) of riding over washboard roads and gulches dug by the
latest rain, we spotted the Bixby Creek Bridge, which is where the old coast
road joins the current Highway 1. Our adventure
was ending.
Highway 1 was completed in 1937. I hope the old coast road was maintained
better in its day, but even so, I can’t imagine driving livestock or other
products over that road.
After that, I needed a break, so we stopped at
the next restaurant and had dessert. As
we were leaving, our waiter offered to take our picture and told us where to
stand. He has a good eye.
We extend our sympathies to our Midwest friends
who got more snow last night. I’m sure
spring will come soon!
Deb
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