California Take II

 
It`s hard to know where to begin given how long it`s been since my last post. I have also noticed that my posts are getting longer and more detail oriented, probably for my own benefit than for my readers. Having said that, I will try to spend more time entertaining and less time writing, or just less time writing.

After leaving the Mojave and the tranquility it brought, we were not quite ready to hit the city. We stopped instead in New Jack City, a small climbing area on BLM land (which means free everything), near Barstow. Having looked at a guidebook in a store, we thought we could easily locate a few crags and have a day of climbing. Wrong. We did do some climbing, and one of the climbs was actually worthwhile, but we definately did not find what we were looking for and ended up leaving a bit early as it was cold and windy and close to rain. A lesson learnt - it`s hard to climb in an area without a guidebook when no one is around. However, the place was beautiful and you will see some of the photos that Jake took which were really cool.

On to L.A. or close to it anyway, to stay with Jake`s cousin in Rancho Cucamanga, 1 hour east of LA. I think we were pretty tired and happy to be in someones house because we didn`t move the first day. Then, we went into LA to do the tourist thing, walking down Hollywood Blvd and looking at the stars (on the street) and driving through Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive and Wilshire Blvd. No actual stars were spotted, and we saw what we came for. Then left quickly. Another couple of days with Jake`s cousin, whom I had never met and we were off to work our way up the coast, for some more beach time!

Alas, it was not warm. But, we visited Santa Monica and the Pier, drove up through Malibu (very rocky and beautiful) and stopped in Santa Barbara on some forest service land, just off the road, overlooking the city and the ocean, sweet. The next day was spent in wine country and we even found a free wine tasting, so generous we had to have our sandwiches in the parking lot before leaving. Back to the coast, we drove and ended up in Montana de Oro State Park, just outside of Los Osos. Looking for a free place to spend the night, and having been unsuccessful, decided to stop and watch the sunset. Well, we met Bluehilda`s twin and in it an older couple from Vancouver, who informed us that the Go West store was in Los Osos, where they were spending the night, and that we would fit right in with all the other vans parked there. So sleep there we did, and of course, we ventured into the store in the morning. As the friend we met said, it`s like a candy store for westy owners. Good thing we`re already broke. Back to driving up the coast, we drove through Big Sur, saw elephant seals and Hearsts Castle, had some problems with the van, and were cold. About normal for the trip so far. The day ended with us finding a beautiful beach in Carmel by the Sea, where dogs were allowed off leash, and we spend the sunset walking up and down the beach, one of my favorite nights. And, if ever you plan on spending some time around there, know that Carmel has no sidewalks or streetlamps or house numbers, UPS delivers mail by house color, and the people are really friendly.

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