Morro Bay, CA – “Rockin'” the Coast

When you drive along the coast in Morro Bay, California, the first thing you notice is “The Rock.” This massive chunk of an extinct volcano once served as a marker for Spanish ships sailing along the coast searching for the harbor at Morro Bay.  Helen and I were also looking for Morro Bay as a convenient stop-off between Vandenberg Air Force Base and Napa Valley. Within the shadow of “The Rock,” Morro Dunes Resort Campground would be our home for the next three days.

We arrived in mid-afternoon and were greeted warmly by the friendly staff at Morro Dunes, a large campground just across the street from the beach. Our campsite, number 139, was on the Resort’s northeast corner and very close to the RVs on either side. We barely had room for a picnic table, but the close quarters were one of only two negatives we encountered during our stay. The other was a cold, brisk wind that lasted all three days.

Thankfully, we “glamp” in an RV equipped with a fireplace and not a tent so that we can handle the cold. Nevertheless, the wind and drizzle along the coast threw a wet blanket over our plans for beach walking. Helen braved the elements for an afternoon stroll to look for shells and found an abundance of sand dollars.  She collected a few and took pictures of a number of them nestled in the sand.

We scrubbed beach walking from our activity list and chose instead to walk through a Saturday Farmer’s Market in downtown Morro Bay. Local police blocked off two streets and converted them into an outdoor market. Dozens of vendors set up shop with a tempting array of fresh vegetables, pastries, jams, and jellies, and prepared food cooked onsite. We purchased several bags of vegetables–some of the best-looking broccoli I’ve seen in years–as well as two slices of pie, maple pecan, and strawberry rhubarb. We tried to resist but found ourselves incapable.

Before the stroll through the market, we jumped at the chance to browse the shelves and racks of Fabulous Finds, an antique shop and thrift store.  Readers know how much we love flea markets and consignment stores, and we think the best ones are in small towns.  Fabulous Finds did not disappoint. We needed a folding chair for Dora’s dining table and a wall clock to replace one that fell off of the wall somewhere between Memphis and Albuquerque. Luck was on our side, and we found both for under $10 total. Helen also found an inexpensive knick-knack container for all of her knick-knacks.

After three days, it was time to Ease Along. We had a great time in Morro Bay despite the weather. Next up is Napa, California, the vineyards, and a forecast for better weather. Please join us. We’re “Rockin'” on!