A Week of Projects

So we have been here for a week and have only left the campground for one day. Each morning we would get up, have our cup of coffee and decide to start a small project and then drive into Solvang or Santa Ynez or Solvang. Wrong !!

First of all, we have discovered a new coffee brand. We have been Starbucks coffee drinkers for several years and have purchased it at Costco or SamsClub. As like everything else, the prices have been going up !!! The 3 lb bag became a 39 oz bag and the price has gone from &14.99 to $21.99. So for the past year we have started trying different brands. We tried Seattle Coffee and went back to Starbucks. Then we tried Kirkland's (Costco's brand) which was supposedly made by Starbucks and could not even finish the package. And so back to Starbucks again. Two weeks ago, when we saw Starbucks was at $21.99, we decided to try San Francisco Coffee. And we like it. It has a different aroma and flavor than Starbucks but it is really quite good. Now our only problem is whether or not we need to be in the San Francisco or even California to buy it. Time will tell.

Now back to our week. We had two blinds that had broken cords that need restringing. I have put off doing that for about 6 months. A couple of days ago, I decided it was time. So Barb worked outside cleaning the MH with Bailey, and I spread the blind out on the floor. I must mention that the most difficult part of this was getting the blind down. It is bolted into the cornice and the screws and nails that hold the cornice up are difficult to find. Plus the cornice is wedged into the bottom of the cabinets............well, we finally got it down and I started restringing. That requires 4 strings in criss cross pattern following a diagram from the blinds people. Well, this anticipated one hour project took the entire day. And Barb wiped down the entire motorhome. NO OUTING ON THIS DAY !

Each day has been like that with a different project that was to be just in the morning but took the entire day. Our only outing was to Santa Ynez to get our mail.

Since Solvang is only 3 miles from Santa Ynez, we decided to drive there to have their famous
Danish pancakes. And to purchase the Danish sausages. Each order has two pancakes that are larger than the size of the plate. More than we can eat for lunch so we take half home and have the pancakes and sausage for dinner. What a feast.

After lunch we stopped at the casino, registered for one of their member cards and got $50 in free play. After about an hour we walked away with $40. So with money in our pockets we went to the Gainey winery and had a wine tasting. By then it was after 5:00 pm so we headed home.

So this week we had a great outing for one day and accomplished all of the items on our list the other 6 days.

Today we go grocery shopping !!!

Love and hugs,
Barb and Linda

Rancho Oso

We left Pismo Beach on Sunday and are now all set up at Rancho Oso, which is about 1/2 way between Santa Barbara on the south and Solvang on the north. We were at this park as we traveled north. We were quite pleased to be able to get the same campsite back that looks to the hills out our front window. The park is on levels and we are on the top, furthest from the pool, the store, and the lodges, and further away from all of the activities in the park when it is crowded.

We will be here for two weeks (until Sept 2)and have no definite plans for activities. I am sure we will drive into Santa Barbara to get more of our ocean fix as well as to get fresh farmer's market fruits and vegetables. And I am also sure we will drive towards Solvang and Los Olivos to visit the many wineries in the area.

So love and hugs to all of you,
Barb and Linda

Pictures from Pismo Beach Area

Barb just loves to stand and watch the waves.
And I love to watch the pelicans and try to get photos of them in flight.













If you double click on this photo and look closely at the rock in the center, you will see that the top is inhabited by pelicans.
A perfect landing !

Love and hugs,

Linda and Barb

We Are Back in Pismo Beach

We left Morgan Hill yesterday, August 10. Our time there was pretty much uneventful in terms of activities. Seems like we always have lists of stuff to do and we spent most of the time trying to shorten the list. Good progress!!!

Our location in Pismo Beach is about one block from the ocean. We will be staying a week here and plan to just walk in the sand and the boardwalk and watch the waves and birds.


View Larger Map

Our campground is right where Le Sage is indicated. So each morning when I walk Bailey we get to go to the beach to watch the waves.

Love to all of you,
Linda and Barb