The Coast of California

We made it to the coast!! We made it!! We made it!! We made it!! Our first ocean experience was wonderful...a little cold and windy that first day, but so beautiful and it felt so good to finally get there.

Our first camp spot was at Dillon beach where the reality of California camping prices hit us hard...sort of felt like a punch in the gut! Dillon beach was a great place, lots of sand dunes and lots and lota of RV's. There were RV's on the left of us and RV's on the right. Luckily we had a good spot on the edge of the campground. After the cold ride that day, we set out to drinking some of the good wine my grandma had given us while we set up camp. Then we set out to take a walk on the beach and have a fire....and a little more wine of course (it was cold that day, did I mention?). We found a spot where there were glowing algae in the wet sand shining when we stepped near them. It was just like dance dance revolution! We had a few dance competitions. A few hours later Mim was teaching me how to roll down sand dunes and we had sand in every inch of our clothes, hair and, well, everywhere else you can imagine. Next morning we weren't too sure what happned. We rode about 30 miles and it felt like 200...and we weren't sure where we were going to sleep. But we made it to a great campground that almost didn't have a spot for us and ended up being the perfect place.

First off, there were peacocks!!! They were so friendly and ate right out of my hand!! The campground was completely full but the people who reserved this spot for the weekend had never shown up, so we got their space. It was beautiful, the sun set just behind the trees and shone through so magnificently and magical. Both our camp nieghbors were super nice and welcoming. A couple named Ray and Gina were staying on one side of us and offered us a delicious stake for dinner...the second steak we've been given on this trip!! And it was SO tasty, let me tell you. I was in heaven that evening as we ate our amazing steak with mac n cheese and veggies. We sure did need that meal that night. God was shining down upon us as always. After dinner, Gina heard Mim playing guitar and waved us to come over and join them at their campfire. They offered us beer, tequila and water and loved listening to us play music. As the night went on, we all talked and laughed and sang. Ray and Gina got a little frisky with each other while I sang a love song; it was so cute. And Ray got jiggy with it when we wrote my new song: Coast of California. It's a bluesy, fun tune. Thank you Ray and Gina for your hospitality and friendship and for inspiring my new song!

Mim and me with Ray and Gina

The nexy day was so gorgeous and we were all refreshed and enjoyed the ride on beautiful Highway 1

Taking a lunch break

We made it to a great campground, right on the beach and we could even see the ocean from the campsite. It was a walk-in campsite and was very quiet, most of the other campsites around us were vacant. It was a peaceful night.

Our first walk on the beach...in the daylight

We made the best dinner so far: stuffed bell peppers over the grill. Those things were so good. We stuffed those puppies with rice, yummy shitaki mushrooms, black beans, onion, cheddar cheese and olives. Oh man, we are such a good team, baby!

We slept peacefully that night, we had no idea the adventure that was in store for us the next day...