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Published: March 11th 2011
March 9 San Luis Obispo to Las Padres National Forest
Took my time getting things done and loading up at the Motel 6 South in SLO and didn't get on the road till after 1100. Guess part of me wanted to stay another day. Wasn't focused I guess and missed my turn onto Hwy 1 up the coast and ended heading up Hwy 101 and didn't realize I'd missed my turn till I was almost to Paso Robles. I course corrected at Hwy 46 and took it West towards the coast. Not a total loss as on this stretch of Hwy 46 I went through some of the most scenic country I have seen so far. On 46 West I crossed back over to Hwy 1 at Cambria and headed North. The coast road kept getting more and more scenic as well as having more and more hairpin curves and climbs. I had intended to make it to Monterey but it was approaching dark and I had only made 66 of the about 130 miles to Monterey. I had already decided I wasn't going to be driving on that narrow winding road at night when I spotted a sign that said
William's Ranch
You can just make out the ranchhouse nestled in the valley in the distance. A real piece of heaven for someone.Las Padres National Forest, Plaskett Creek campground. I whipped in and got a campsite as I had pretty much given up on finding a hotel on this road. I just wanted off the road at this time. The campground was actually a very nice one and as it was National Park campground I was able to use my Access National Parks pass for free entry and a campsite for half price $11. So I spent the night there. It had no electricity but at least I was off the road and safe in my spot. Not running off a cliff or something equally ignorant.
The park was very quiet and I had made sure to get a spot further in the park away from the ocean. I did walk down to the ocean and also to a picnic area about 100 yards south trying not to get run over on the narrow shoulder. By a vehicle or a bicyclist.
After setting up camp I relaxed and did a little homework and catching up on details and settled in for a restful nights sleep. It was cold but I was comfortable enough under the blankets in my sleeper.
It was interesting
watching the bicyclist coming in and setting up their tents. They had a bag about the size of a Wal Mart bag but would start working with it and soon a tent would take shape. Can't say I believe a tent would be comfortable in that cold, damp mountain air but I guess people just want a "space" they can call their own.
I know I was nice and snug in my "sleeper" in my truck.
I planned on continuing on to Monterey the next day. More on that in my next entry.
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LAURA
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RELAXING
THE pictures are very relaxing , the ocean should be high have a good time