Central Coast Respite

Morro Rock

     In mid-July, when Doug was on the Central Coast visiting a couple of friends and getting cold in the fog, he called and said we were going to spend a few days together in Morro Bay the following week. We were going to splurge and get a motel and eat out and just plain spoil ourselves in an escape from the Valley heat, which is hard on Marilyn, as it makes the neuropathic pain in her back worse. 

Morro Rock in the Fog

     The following Monday morning we were off, to our decent motel with a view of Morro Rock (somewhat marred by power lines--didn't know they still exist--but a view nonetheless). 
    Three landmarks define Morro Bay: Morro Bay Harbor, one of the most dangerous in the country; Morro Rock; and the three smokestacks of the now defunct Pacific Gas & Electric power plant.

Landmark PG&E Smokestacks with Tops Obscured by Fog.

We started our days in the garden at Top Dog Coffee just a few steps from our hotel.

We spent our days walking on the beach, enjoying needing sweaters.

The first day, the beach was covered with giant jellyfish.

Sea otters frequent the bay and are always good entertainment. This isn't a great photo, but there are 5 of the critters: 2 on the left, a group of 3 on the right: mama in the middle, baby on left, papa (?) on the right.

On one of his longer walks, Doug came across a turtle sand sculpture.

 

"Pelican Family" was sculpted of blue granite by Wachtang "Boston" Korisheli in 1977.

Coincidentally, this bronze memorial sculpture was made at Port Townsend Foundry in Port Townsend, WA, another favorite locale.

We watched a father and son playing at the Giant Chess Board.

We walked more...

...and watched pelicans glide...

...and gulls feed on jellyfish...

...and a mama egret teach her offspring to fish...

...and long-billed curlews hunt in the sand...

...and took breaks...

...and watched glorious sunsets over Morro Rock.