Day 108

September 14, 2017

We left our lovely resort campground at Greenfield and drove south on US101 to Paso Robles where in 2009 we had bought our Tiffin Allegro Bay motorhome.  This time we did not need or want a new motorhome.  We’re quite happy with the Unity.  Lots and lots of vineyards and wineries both arriving and leaving Paso.  We had a shopping excursion at Albertson’s then had a fab lunch at “Buona Tavola Ristoranti” after finding a good long parking spot on a side street.  The staff was very attentive and the food was wonderful.  Bob tried his Italian on the waitress unsuccessful as she was Russian.  Then our drive from Paso to CA46 and through wine country on to US1 back north almost to San Simeon for our overnight at San Simeon State Park.  No hookups so conserving the batteries by watching the news on TV then reading before early bedtime.

Day 107

September 13, 2017

The drive from our campground at Greenfield to the Monterrey Bay Aquarium on the central cost of CA took about an hour.  Parking close-by two blocks away and we were at the entry.

We enjoyed a coffee and muffin at the cafe before starting our adventure at The Open Sea display with lots of different jelly fish.

Fish

Penguins

Sharks

We had lunch in the restaurant at the aquarium and this was the view out the window where we sat.

Easy drive back, very little traffic and we were back to the Unity.

Days 104,105,106

September 10, 11, 12, 2017

Bob has worked on the motorhome every day cleaning, removing tar, oil and dirt from Canada and Alaska’s roads.  On Monday we went into town to the post office and had lunch at the Plaza Bakery and Cafe, not real exciting.  We’re enjoying our stay at this park as it is really nice.  Getting rested up a bit.  The pace picks up tomorrow.

Day 103

 September 9, 2017

Today we drove into Greenfield, we figured out why it is named such as everything is planted, harvested and prepared for planting so lots of green fields around here.  Greenfield is mostly hispanic, like 99%.  Found Veronica’s Salon where Iris got her hair cut and after seeing how well she did Iris, Bob decided to get his tidied up.  Bob also bought all the stuff needed to wash the motorhome, first time since returning from Alaska/Canada so realllllllly dirty.  Back at the Unity we went over to the nice, clean laundry and got rid of our dirty clothes.  Then we fixed some grilled lamb chops before enjoying a short nap.  Bob washed the front and one side of the motorhome,  what a job!  Bob rewarded himself by watching some college football and we had a tuna sandwich after our happy hour.  

Day 102

September 8, 2017

Up early as planned, traffic horrible getting from San Rafael to IH580 then really horrible, 6 lanes instead of 1, finally got to Pleasanton where we had appointment for alignment of the Unity, barely made it on time.  Naturally they had lunch break so didn’t start on it until after noon.  So we went to Black Bear Diner for lunch as Iris had seen lots of billboard ads for these diners all the way.  Food was amazingly good, we had a huge burger, split it, fries then chocolate cake with ice cream and whipped cream.  Shame!

Got away from the Mercedes-Benz (largest car dealer we had ever seen) about 3:30 then had to drive to Greenfield where we had reservations at Yanks RV Resort.  The drive was again very stressful with the traffic and slowdowns.  Along the way we drove through the Central Valley, salad bowl of the country, where most of our fresh produce comes from.  Finally arrived at the campground to find they had closed the office at 4 PM.  Thought we found our site, got set up, then listened to voice mail from the office that told us our site number so had to move to another site but we will be here 3 nights, maybe 6 before we get to San Simeon.  The long stay here is due to having to cancel the national parks we intended to visit due to the fires.  So we had a late happy hour and snack before crashing into bed.  First time we’ve had Dish TV since we entered Canada back in July.

Day 101

September 7, 2017

Woke today in Olema, population 55, two of which are Carol and Jose.  Carol had doctor appointment in Petaluma so we all rode there then the three went to Grocery Outlet and ran up the grocery bills.  Interesting concept and lots to look at.  Picking up Carol from the doctor’s office we went to Summer’s, Vietnamese restaurant where we had a really good lunch.  Then we took a drive around the countryside including a bakery stop.  Back to Olema and sat around and visited until time for Jose to put on the steaks and veg to grill for dinner.  All very good!  Early to bed due to our early departure tomorrow.

Day 100

September 6, 2017

Left Orland about 8:20 AM, already 71 degrees, no smoke.  IH5 most of the way until turnoff to get over close to the coast.  Had one major traffic problem on a two-lane section that probably took about an hour to go 5 miles, otherwise a scenic drive to get to Olema.  Arriving at the crossroads in Olema that is Highway 1 we went about 100 feet and there was the complex of stores and apartments of Carol and Jose.  We parked in the driveway and hooked up to electric and had a reunion of good friends from San Miguel days.  Carol had lunch ready then it seemed we all talked at once.  Unbelievably it was time for happy hour and then grilled chicken and zucchini and corn on the cob.  Yum!  More conversation and we were surprised to find it was time for bed so back down the stairs to our Unity and bed.  Some views along the trip.