San Luis Obispo Mini-vacation, Day 1

I was really hoping for a few days away this summer. After the 4th of July, Doug had a 3-day weekend and opted to take the following Monday off and so away we went. He had never spent any time in the San Luis Obispo area and I was interested in showing Hearst Castle to the kids. It had been almost 20 years since my last visit to the castle. So, we decided to give the area a go. It took us about 6 hours to get there and as our lodging wasn't ready when we arrived, we decided to have lunch at the Apple Farm. It had been recommended for breakfast but we enjoyed our lunch there as well.  Afterwards we walked around the Inn and the Old Mill.

The flowers were beautiful. 

When Doug was exploring different lodging options in the area, he came across Camp San Luis Obispo, the original home of the California National Guard. It was established in 1928 and served as an Infantry Division Camp for the U.S. Army during WWII.  There wasn't a whole lot of activity over the weekend while we were there although the cadets attending the Grizzly Youth Academy, a program for at-risk youth,  were busy with the obstacle course. Although the camp is old and shows it, there was something quaint about it.  We had an immaculate little house all to ourselves.  It was just right and only $60 a night.

 Lauren was convinced Doug had cted the base just for her as there were helicopters, airplanes, and mini-tanks scattered around the camp.

After we unpacked, settled in, and Lauren chased the local family of squirrels around the house a few times, we headed to Morro Bay.

 We had the place almost to ourselves. Granted, it was chilly!

 This seagull was rather amusing.  He must have believed we had some goodies in our bag as he would wait until he thought noone was looking and sneak over to our towels.  As soon as someone walked his way, he would turn and head in the opposite direction.  He was so funny!

 There were sand dollars everywhere you looked!

 Jacob immediately set about terrorizing the local bird population.

 What is it about becoming a parent that makes you so strong and such a bowl of jelly all at the same time?  The water was cold and rough, and there were riptide warnings lining the path to the beach.  All three kids insisted on going deeper and deeper and deeper.  A wave would hit Jake and he would bob along while I went into cardiac arrest.  I was also pretty convinced that I had seen a shark and the kids were going to be eaten.  Doug assured me it was, in fact, a pod of sea lions.

 The sight on our way back to the "camp".

 We noticed that one of the sand dollars had a barnacle stuck to it.  The barnacle was even poking something out periodically.  Not quite sure what but it was fascinating, nonetheless!