The Clams man, the clams.

North America » United States » California » Pismo Beach
May 30th 2011

Published: June 2nd 2011

A traveler sees what he sees. A tourist sees what he has come to see. - G.K. Chesterton On most holiday weekends, we don’t venture out that much. This most likely has to do with Dave and his disdain for all those Americans who take advantage of a long weekend to crowd the roads, hotels and fill restaurants with their noisy children. Americans in general have very little vacation time and woul... Read Full Entry

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Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

D MJ Binkley

Photographers, divers, writers, foodies, chefs and music enthusiasts. Travelers' Century Club Members: 12/2023. MJ 107 and Dave 104. We appreciate your feedback and if you like our stories we would appreciate it if you follow our blog. We live on North Hutchinson Island, Florida. If you are in Florida please send us a private message as we would love to meet you. Two retired nurses who are passionate about traveling the world. Our love of travel, meeting new people and experiencing new cultures will hopefully take us to wonderful plac... full info

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2nd June 2011

Gunga
Carolyn Taylor

Wonderful drive!
HI Merry Jo, I don't know who does the writing (you or Dave) but I love the tone used. It is almost as if you are having a personal conversation with each of us. I esp. liked your # tips! Yes, they can seem mundane and even boring to us as writers but many people read these blogs looking for places to travel and experiences. I loved the description of the older ladies dancing. I am so tired of hearing writers refer to all things horrible as'granny' this or 'granny' that. What the heck is up with that? Do they not think that they will be old one day? As a 'granny' of 5 I thank you for those positive words. Carolyn/Gunga

2nd June 2011

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Glad you enjoyed the blog.
Dave and I both write the blog. I would say I usually write most of it but he makes changes, additions and edits it. We attempt to write it so that no one can tell who has written which portions of it. I loved the afternoon watching the older women dance and have a grand time. Life is short and they are squeezing every bit of joy out of it. I was so happy to have met them. Wonderful people....and that is what it is about. Connecting with other people. Enjoy your trip and do some dancing!

3rd June 2011

liliram
liliram

I love the life!
That Hearst Castle truly drips in luxury, ei? But I like your take on life, Dave and Merry Jo. Truly a celebration. That cheerful dancing family you met can teach us. That is how I want it with my family too. I enjoyed this blog a lot. Your insights, the travel tips, the enthusiasm to celebrate life. Anytime. Anywhere. Keep driving/traveling/writing!

3rd June 2011

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Thanks Lili
And....you the same. We've loved your last few blogs.

3rd June 2011

littlewing
Cindy

''Beautiful"
I loved where you sat at the restaurant you sat and mapped out your plans for the next 15 years :) Looking forward to hearing about the next 15 - and Big Sur really is beautiful.

3rd June 2011

Susurros somnolientos
J. Lalo Cura

Dang./Darn it.
Wow, people really say that? In my mind I always get this picture of a toothless farmer from Alabama or Idaho when I hear it (no offense). But what the heck, I'm a Yuro-peon, so what do I know? Fudge-all. I've been kind of curious about Bug Sur ever since I read Henry Miller's 'Big Sur and the Oranges of Hieronymus Bosch'. I reckon nowadays it's not as pristine and rugged as it used to be back then, more like overpopulated with rich people in their million-$ houses, but I'd still like to see it some time, or compete in the marathon. Good to see you appreciate high-quality beer and support microbreweries.

3rd June 2011

Chris and Nikki
Chris

Fantastic blog!
I absolutely loved this blog. So much emotion in your writing, my favourite bit was reading about the dancing family.

3rd June 2011

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Hi Jens,
When you make it to Big Sur you will be pleasantly surprised. Yes, there are million dollar homes but because of the hills and curvy coastline much of it is unspoiled. The town remains small and quaint. We are beer snobs and love the microbrews. Life is too short to waste it drinking low end beers. The marathon would be great. Great hiking in this area.

3rd June 2011

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Glad you followed along to Pismo Beach
We had a great time and it was emotional watching the family but they know how to live life.

3rd June 2011

Sonja Massey
non-member comment

Another great posting
As usual I enjoyed your musings. The last (and only) time I was at the Hearst Castle I was a chaperone of a high school singing group that was touring the US. We travelled down the CA coast to San Simeon in a bus. While we were all sleeping in a motel that night our bus with all the musical instruments etc was stolen by three local teenagers who drove it off a cliff a few miles north (or south, can't really remember) of San Simeon. Amazingly, they were not injured but the police were not amused and neither were we as we spent the next day climbing up and down the rocks from the street to the bus retrieving the instruments. Oh....and the castle was unbelievable. Great photos. Congratulations to you.....you really make the most of any place you are. Love, S

11th June 2011

Maisondubonheur
Pierre-Alexandre

Few more weeks...
Few more weeks and we are doing the same. The great news is we are meeting before. I guess I will take my pen and paper with me that evening. What a great blog you've got! Hope we'll have the sun too!

11th June 2011

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

I'm working on some other suggestions for your time in California
Can't wait to meet you.

24th June 2011

Overlanders
Dave + Suze

Ah, holidays!
Yes we are lucky that we have the opportunity to take extended breaks. We didn't get to Hearst castle (due to that missing piece of road) so it was great to experience it through your photos! S+D

4th September 2011

RJT
Rachael

What a fabulous little mini-break...what a shame I won't have time to follow in your footsteps.. I had to laugh at your reference to Kiwis taking months off at a time, I wish! But I can't complain, I definitely do alright! I was horrified when I discovered that Americans only get about 2 weeks holiday a year. I don't think I would be able to survive!

4th September 2011

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Hi Rachael
Glad to see you are enjoying a couple of our recent blogs. We can barely survive on two weeks. It is tough. Fortunately in our jobs we get a little bit more than that but not much so we use it as wisely as we can. You will have a great time in CA.....so much to do.... and Mexico is wonderful

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