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Wednesday 07/16/08 - San Simeon State Beach to Pismo State Beach: North Beach

I slept pretty good that night considering we were right next to Highway 1.  I think I was just too tired to even listen.  In the morning we woke up to another tent in the hiker/biker site.  I remember looking at it and thinking you must have had a longer day than we did because we went to bed at 9 pm and you weren't here.  Steve was up about the same time as I and we started the morning routine of getting breakfast and such.  We were definitely moving slower this morning.  No hurry today since we won't have as many miles to cover.

About 8:30 am our mystery tent occupants decided to emerge from their slumber.  We found out that they had gotten in to camp at 10:30 pm.  They had started their day in Monterey and were hoping to camp at Big Sur.  While the roads were open, the campground was not.  So they kept heading south to Kirk Creek.  Only problem is that camp was closed as well.  So they kept going.  They tried to stay at a motel but it was too expensive for what they wanted to spend so they just kept going.  What a long day.  (Here are Thomas and Mel later in there trip at San Elijo.  They ended up about 4 days behind us.)

Thomas said that they were going to take a break here for the day and go back and see Hearst Castle.  I mentioned to him about the no hiker/biker site in Pismo.  They would need reservations.  I showed him a number of campgrounds in Pismo in case he couldn't find anything to stay at.  Hopefully things will work out for them.

Meanwhile we finished up our packing and got ready to head out.  There were a group of families across from us.  Looked like a big family reunion.  The little kids decided to feed the birds that morning with bread left over from last night.  They were very careful to lay all of the bread crumbs in a straight line.  It was fun to watch them as they stood back to see if any birds would come in for a bite.  Sure enough within minutes a number of birds showed up, by the time we were packed and ready to go a seagull had flown in, there goes the neighborhood!

It was 9:00 am by the time we hit the road.  It was nice to be back on the regular route and not have to figure out where to go next.  As we headed South there were a few other cyclists out on the road today, but not as many as previously in the week.  About mid morning two smaller motorcycles passed by, I didn't think much of it, except that they had on number bibs, like what you were in a race.  I thought that's got to be a weird race.  Over the next 30 or 40 minutes we would see groups of these older style motorcycles come buzzing by.  They couldn't have been more that 200 cc in size.  It was fun to see them as they went past.

We hit Cayucos a little after 10 am.  There were some shops along the way but nothing too exciting.  When we got to Morro Bay we found a number of supermarkets with laundry mats close by so we decided to get off the Highway 1 and get some lunch, groceries, and get the clothes clean.

After lunch and groceries we headed next door to the laundry mat.  It was almost 2 pm by the time we got back on the road, which was fine since we were almost done for the day.  As we headed through town we were able to ask another cyclist about the route to San Louis Obispo.  ACA and the Book show an alternate route.  He said Highway 1 was just fine for riding with plenty of space.  So that is what we took.  Not sure why they have the alternate route because the Highway had plenty of room, unless you don't won't the cars.

Once you come in through San Louis Obispo you do have to get off the Highway and then you notice right away there are a lot of bikes in town.  Once through on the other side of town we headed out on rode 227.  This took us along another airport as we got to watch a few planes land and take off.

We took a right on Price Canyon Road, which wasn't the best as far as space, but cars were nice.  Down at the end we were now in Pismo Beach our destination for the day.  We road into town and found Pismo State Beach, North Beach.  We rode up to the ranger station and said hello.  The ranger came up to the door and said, "Can I help you?"  with a very hesitant voice.  

"Yes you can," I replied as I handed him my reservation for the night.  I knew that North Beach no longer had a hiker/biker site so I had made a reservation for the night.  The ranger asked if any other cyclists came through if I would mind sharing my site with them.  I told him to send them on over.

Camp was number 25 tonight, it was a nice site.  Close to the showers, water, trash, and the beach wasn't too far through the dunes either.  We quickly got camp set up and ate dinner.  Then we went for a walk on the beach to check things out.  Too many clouds on the horizon so no sunset tonight.

There was a full moon out tonight and it just lit up everything.  When I went to bed it was almost like someone was out side my tent with a light on.  It didn't keep me up, it was a good night sleep this time around.

Pictures for the Day
I was showing the Brit the campgrounds available in Pismo.	Steve getting ready for breakfast.	It's time to cleanup this mess.	Our neighbors had little ones that thought it would be nice to attract...	... a few birds.  When we left a seagull cam in to check in out.
Back up the hills in Cambria that we went down last night.	And the sun comes out in full force.	Heading South on Highway 1 we had a few climbs.	Nothing beats having a view of the Coast most of the day.	Heading through...
...the...	...town...	....of Cayucos.	Love those coastal views.	Heading toward Morro Bay.
Coming into Morro Bay.	Devin counting out the quarters...	...and adding the soap.	Back on Highway 1...	...with great views.
Steve climbing Highway 1 after his flat.	We headed right past...	...California Men's Colony.	Steve climbing the last hill, not!	Heading into San Luis Obispo.
Once out of San Luis Obispo we followed 227...	...to Price Canyon Road, all the way down to...	...our campground in Pismo North Beach.	It meets Steve's approval.	Devin making sure...
...it will all fit.	Plenty of grass around.	Hanging up the laundry for the day.	We wandered out to take...	...a look at the beach...
Most had headed in for the day.	One last look to catch the sunset, too many clouds to watch it go down.

Video Clip
	The Campground: Here is a 360 degree view of the campground we had in Pismo Beach: North Beach.  It was actually a very nice campground, right next to the showers, bathrooms, and water.  I would be sure to book this one again.  Right through the trees where the truck is was the beach.  Just a short walk away.

 

Daily Stats
Rider: Devin Holmes Time Left: 9:00 am Time Arrived: 5:30 pm Max mph: 36.8  Avg mph: 12.4 Distance: 51.23  Actual Time Riding: 4:06:29	Camp Fee: $16.50* (My share) Lunch: $7.00 Misc: $0 Groceries:$26.00 Shower: $0.75 Laundry: $4.00 Total Cost for today: $54.25

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