2024-07-10: Morro Bay State Park

Milestones

• 19th camping trip in 19 months (SHOW ON MAP)
• 2nd time camped in San Luis Obispo county. I had to go back because the first time in S.L.O. was such a disappointment (SHOW 1ST)

Arrival and Setup

My campsite was in a grove of eucalyptus trees. The fresh air was fantastic.

I pitched my tent next to a couple of trees, hoping to be sheltered somewhat. I just like having a little privacy.

I arrived early in the afternoon. The campground was already 50% full. Most of the campsites near me were empty, but they all filled up eventually. This state park is VERY popular.

I had to take this picture. THIS IS THE NICEST BATHROOM AT A CAMPGROUND I HAVE EVER SEEN. I was spoiled by all this hygienic luxury.

First Bike Ride

The next morning I started riding my bike, just exploring the area. I wanted to go several miles in a loop around the Los Osos Valley. But, I wasn’t sure about the road conditions, so I didn’t get my hopes up. I made a mistake and left my anorak and beanie at home. I thought I wouldn’t need them since it was going to be such nice weather. It had been in the 90’s and over 100 at my house. But, when I got in the fog, wind, and damp ocean air; I began to get cold. Thankfully, I keep a set of emergency stuff in a waterproof pack on my bike. I pulled over to the side of the road, dug out some spare clothes, and got back on the road. It was just what I needed.

Directly across from the campground was a small harbor. There was a peninsula that had a wonderful wooden boardwalk. I was just barely able to fit my bike tires inside the railings. I met a few people along the way, but most everyone was good-natured about it.

The boardwalk wound around a wetlands area. Just gorgeous!

The views of the fog burning off were spectacular.

When I got within 30 feet of the end of the boardwalk, a grumpy old man told me (in his best “Barney Fife” imitation), “Bikes aren’t allowed on the boardwalk.” It irked me, but I made a joke about it. He wasn’t laughing. Later, I prayed that “God would smite that man with His Mighty Right Hand”, just like any good Christian would pray.

I rode out on the road between Morro Bay and Los Osos. This was the view looking back at the eucalyptus grove where I had just come from.

I rode a long time around Los Osos. Mostly I was admiring the multi-million dollar homes that I could never afford, but would love to wake up in every morning looking at such beauty.

I stopped at an intersection, and another cycler was there. While we waited for the green-light, I asked him if the road ahead was easy for biking. He said it was. That’s all I needed to hear. There was no turning back. The next set of pictures were the reason I wanted to come to this area. I graduated from Cal Poly S.L.O. in 1982, so this was literally in my backyard. It’s like coming home.

As I rode along Los Osos Valley Road, I stopped regularly to take pictures. During one of these stops, a pickup truck pulled up behind me. A guy got out and asked me if I was ok. I said I was fine…. Just taking pictures. He said he was worried that I had a mechanical breakdown. What a nice guy. Sometimes I am completely surprised by people’s kindness.

I love to see signs like this… here’s a previous example.

When I got back to Morro Bay, I stopped at Dorn’s and asked the waiter if I could buy a beer. He said, “Yes, of course”. This is me enjoying a cold beer after riding 30 miles.

From the restaurant downtown out to my campsite was only a couple of miles, but it was still spectacular.

Is there any better ocean view?

When I arrived back at my campsite, an older lady walked over to talk with me. She wanted to tell me how impressed she (and her family) was about my camping. She even complimented me on having a fire the night before. What she didn’t know was I dropped my dinner into the fire, scraped off the charcoal, and ate it anyways. I didn’t share that info with her. She was very sweet. Once again, there ARE good people out there.

Second Bike Ride

The next day I rode almost the exact same route. Afterwards, I packed up all my camping gear. Loaded my bike into the car. And then I strolled around the main harbor in town. What a great view of Morro Rock, an old volcanic plug (i.e.; a landform created when volcanic magma hardens inside a vent on an active volcano. They are sometimes called volcanic necks or puys. The plug is revealed when surrounding land is eroded.)