Day 20 - San Luis Obispo & Santa Barbara

Date 7/9

Weather: Sunny

Expense
$67 gas
$8 grocery
$4 dining
$79 today
$896 for the trip

Mileage: 603 today, 4,041 for the trip

Beer: 0 today, 24 for the trip

Pictures: homepage.mac.com/cenya/PhotoAlbum57.html

I got up at about the same usual time, too early for my sister. Anyway, I was able to tell her that I am definitely leaving today. I think it made her sad. I was getting little itches to get moving. I am not sure, but there is a little homesickness as well as other little things.

I went and got my car from the paid lot. We put all my belongings in the car. We decided to go to the farmers market on Embarcadero. We parked but no changes. Oh well, today we parked illegally. SF is out of whole dollar!

We got a cup of coffee each. I don’t mind coffee occasionally. It was good to walk around fresh and organic bread, fruit, vegetables, and healthy people. We chatted about many things including my visit, her boyfriend, our family, etc. I was starting to get sad about leaving. I am getting older definitely. Sentimentality, what is that? I bought a baguette and a little chunk of pecorino Romano. I was ready to leave. I drove my sis to where she wanted to be dropped off. It was sad to say good-bye.

As I drove on 101 south, I realized it is just like the previous day. Deja vu! I saw same scenery until I passed Monterey split. It was a good scenic drive, but I was not too thrilled to drive for too long.

I stopped at San Luis Obispo. I read about this place being a great locale. Avila Beach was the name of the place where I stopped for lunch. I had some salty cheese and bread. It was good by the ocean. It was not quite the pungent brine smell, but it was a beach nonetheless. I walked around took some pictures from a pier. I was tempted to buy $5 mussels entrée from the pier. Wow, $5! Fresh from the sea! Alas, I just ate. I saw sea lions (or seals) barking at people. It was quite a site.

I drove to Santa Barbara next. This is where I planned to stay overnight. I drove to the tourist information first. I am told that there is not any campsite or lodging available. I should have made a reservation somewhere. No matter, I still had things to do.

I went to Trader Joe’s to buy two-buck chucks for two bucks each unlike Arizona. I bought two cases. I guess I need to give some out. That is still cool! I changed into my running apparel and ran the sandy beach. It was a little too slanted, but who cares. I was chasing and chased by waves. It was a great run minus still pains on my shins.

I drove through Southern Cal looking for a cheap place to stay. I guess I really did not want to stay in the la la land. I kept on driving for some reason. I drove to Black Rock Canyon campsite in Joshua Tree. It was quite late when I got in, but it was worth staying there for ten dollars. I chowed down Dell Taco takeout before brushing my teeth. I once again slept on the passenger seat.