Week 626 - Why can't we have that day again! - 08-05-2018

Why can't we have that day again!

On Friday, August 3rd, we celebrated our 44th wedding anniversary. We went with Ellen's sister Carla and Ron to Pear Valley Vineyards. We had a great time with good fellowship, good wine and a Greek chicken dinner. It was a very sweet time.

But . . . Pete felt we really needed to have a special dinner to celebrate our 44 years together. So on Sunday we got boots on and headed out.

Driving along the front of our property, that a AirBnB guest said looks like the Bates Motel, we jumped on the freeway.

We could have ate in Atascadero, but we needed a longer trip to be special. We passed by the Atascadero Lake and drove west on Highway 41. When E.G. Lewis founded Atascadero, Highway 41, all the way to Morro Bay, was part of Atascadero. Atascadero Beach, now Morro Strand State Beach, was also included in the city.

What was not part of the original city were the dinosaurs you see as you elevate up the 41 grade.

Just before the apex of the grade you need to look quick to see the truck rat rod exhibit.

On the way down the west side, we thought of the many places to eat in Morro Bay. Especially nice are those restaurants on the Morro Bay Embarcadero.

Great food and a nice view of the harbor and Morro Rock. We have been to several before, so we continued North in search of our special meal.

Cayucos is on the beach. It is one of the most popular surf beaches in North County. We have ate in Cayucos but didn't recall any upscale dining spots. This was a Internet-free day so we moved on.

Continuing North, you come to Harmony. You can always stop in, join the 18 people who live there and buy a glass of wine or in most years you can buy the whole town! We don't know of any fine dining, so on we go.

Next, Cambria has a lot of good restaurants and tons of people. Too many people for a quiet romantic dinner.

Centrally Grown on Exotic Garden Road is just north of Cambria. We drove through the facility and noticed the wine tasting and music on this Sunday afternoon. Did not see the sign for the restaurant or perhaps we would've landed here. Maybe next time.

Onward we see Big Sur and Carmel ahead. Hmmmm, now that would be nice. And Highway 1 just opened after the landslide of May 2017. We continue.

On a previous anniversary we stayed at a San Simeon hotel. The area is beautiful with a view of Hearst's Castle just 3 miles away. But the day was young, the drive beautiful, so we passed.

Just 10 miles short of Ragged Point is the Elephant Seal Vista Point. Fun to look at, but on this hot and sunny day, not too much activity.

In the next few miles the road narrows and goes from straight-a-ways to twisty. Oh look, a motorhome! reminding us of our trip up Highway 1 in the MotherShip.

Time to stop for a break.

We pulled over at the Ragged Point Inn and Resort. The weather was marvelous and the music fun.

The views were gorgeous.

The birds were plentiful.

The grounds beautiful.

We found our special place. Ellen had the grilled salmon, Pete the fish and chips. The meal was great and considering we are miles from anywhere, the price was excellent. Happy 44th Anniversary!
(Is Pete's head really that big?)

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13

With our love, Pete and Ellen

That was a pretty good day. Why couldn't I get that day over, and over, and over... Phil Conners (Bill Murray) in Ground Hog Day

Photos from Aug 2018