Thursday, September 3, 2020

A Quick Get-Away!

We had planned our quick get-away (two nights) in the Pismo Beach area for April, but had to cancel due to the pandemic. We rescheduled for late July, thinking things had peaked and were on a steady decline. Well, not exactly what happened, but the hotels stayed open, so we kept our reservation. It's weird trying to do a road trip these days, even a short one. Restaurants are either closed or open for take-out only (which is what we ended up doing), stores and roadside attractions are closed, etc., etc. Lot's of unexpected things seem to pop up. For example, with restaurants and stores closed, finding a restroom on the road becomes more of a challenge, especially if you are trying to avoid the grimy gas station variety.


The motel we ended up staying at has it's own private beach, which was beautiful and uncrowded. Only downside was navigating the 100 steps and steep walkways required to reach it. You need to travel light when you go to this beach! That's my wife with a sling to help carry our chihuahua, who has bad joints (but then again, so do we!). I was carrying beach chairs and towels. I can't remember what Lilly was carrying, but she had her hands full!


We have never taken a vacation with our dog before, but we figured with restaurants and shopping closed, this might be the perfect opportunity. We stayed at a dog-friendly hotel and everything worked out great!


Turns out the hotel's private beach also has it's own private arch. How cool is that?? You know me, I love arches! See that tree up on top of the hill above the arch? You will be seeing that again.
 
Yup, same tree. This is the view from our hotel balcony. Very nice! My wife took this photo of me taking a photo of the tree.
 


A very photogenic tree!
 
This photo is for you bird-lovers. The rocks in the area seem to be prime real estate for birds, with seemingly every available space in use. Near as I can tell, the birds are represented almost entirely by cormorants, pelicans and seagulls. The ocean in this area must supply an abundance of food! I think there is a lot of what they call upwelling in the area, which brings up nutrient-rich waters, which feed plankton, which feed small fish, and on up the food chain.
 
Day #2 we headed over to an area called Montana de Oro State Park. We spent a couple hours there, but we easily could has spent days exploring the area. It's truly beautiful, and there are many trails heading down to secluded beaches that can only be reached on foot. 
 
Panoramic shot of Spooner's Cove. Full disclosure: I edited the sky using Luminar 4 to add some color to an otherwise grey sky.
 
Lilly heading down to Spooner's Cove

My lucky day. We found another arch!!


Here's what the arch looks like at high tide. What a gorgeous shot! Photo credit goes to: LA-tr-road-trip-issue-photos-20160621-003 Baltimore Sun


Back at the hotel, it was time for take out. It was easy to socially distance at this small seaside hotel.
 
These little mini-vacations might be what we do in the foreseeable future. No planes, no boats, no tours, no large crowded motels or theme parks. Just quiet, low-key escapes 2-3 times a year. Perfect!

Linking with Skywatch Friday.
Stay safe & stay healthy!!

44 comments:

  1. Hello,

    What a great getaway. The scenery and views are fabulous. It is nice to see Lilly and you wife in the photos. I love the tree and the beach views. The mini-vacations sound great to me. Beautiful photos! Take care, enjoy your day! Wishing you a happy weekend!

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  2. Indeed, some fascinating photos, views and nature details - like the very special arches you are catching! Both those posted this week as well as earlier You really have an eye for finding natural art creations! Thanks for your commenting on my blog

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  3. ...it fabulous to see your photography including water and lots of it! I need to brush up on my panoramic skills, your is great. Thanks for sharing bits of your getaway!

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  4. You can't seem to escape the arches. Nice that you were able to get away, even with all the Covid restrictions.

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  5. The arches follow you, lol. They miss you! One thing I'll agree with, restrooms (and I sometimes need one about once an hour) can definitely be a challenge - one reason why I haven't traveled more than about 1 1/2 hours from home, even in New York State, where a lot more things are open. For now, I should say. I'm trying to work up an overnighter and feeling safe doing so. I wish we had beaches like yours. WOW. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

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  6. Beautiful what a place to go, some stunning photos

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  7. looks like you had a great time on your escape - I love the coastal photos

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  8. What a great place. Relaxed place to spend with the family and great photo opportunities. I think you are right, at least for a while shorter trips, no planes, less crowds. Sign me up

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  9. What a beautiful road trip! I have yet to do the drive from LA to San Francisco. Now I know what places are worth stopping. I am a fan of arches, so I'll be following your footsteps :-)

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  10. Amazing place, Beautiful photos.
    Happy weekend. Stay well.

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  11. I Am So There - Cold Ocean Waters - Beautiful Sand On Private Beach - Gorgeous Tree - So Stoked For You All And Pleased The Dog Was Happy Traveling - Carry On My Man

    Cheers

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  12. YOur eye catches some of the best shots. We didn't see much of the West Coast this time around. Too bat it will be our last shot at it too. But diesel problems urged us back to the east coast.
    Thanks for the entertainment, I appreciate your eye!
    Sherry & jack back in NC for a break.

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  13. Wow! majestic scenes. Love the monochrome version of arch.

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  14. Beeindruckend diese malerisch,bezaubernden Gegenden. Die Mühen der Treppen haben sich gelohnt!

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  15. What a wonderful decision, fabulous pictures and fantastic atmosphere !

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  16. Looks like it was a great trip. I have to aprove to all the tree photos.

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  17. Mini vacations sound like a great alternative to a major trip, especially when you can find such a perfect little spot to visit. Your photos are great :)

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  18. Das war bestimmt ein herrliches Erlebnis dort !
    Wunderbare Fotos, tolle Erinnerungen an diese Zeit .

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  19. Looks like a beautiful roadtrip. And the nature is stunning again but more wet.

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  20. That sounds like the perfect solution for these difficult times. Some rather splendid coastal arches too.

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  21. Fantastic photos. I bet it was wonderful getting away. I know I would like to but now the summer is over and I'm not feeling up to it just yet. You picked a perfect place to have a mini vacation.

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  22. We were talking about a vacation earlier in the year before all of the madness hit, since then we decided to postpone it until next year. Our hope is to return to New England for a couple of weeks. I'm getting excited just thinking about all the fun things we will see and do! Y'alls quick trip to Pismo Beach surely wasn't a disappointment. The views are incredible and even take-out on your balcony provided a wonderful atmosphere - sounds like a winning situation. I'm glad the quick get-away worked out of you guys. We all need down time to reset our minds and bodies. Thanks for sharing your gorgeous sky views. Oh yeah, the arch photo in B&W is very dramatic! Have a wonderful weekend. Be safe and well, my friend!

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  23. Would have been nice to just get away for a while SPP, looks like you picked the perfect spot with private beach, Lily would have had a wonderful time. PLUS... arches, bonus!! 😉

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  24. wonderful vacation with so many beautiful places to see!Great beach and your family looks so happy :))-I am glad you took good care of your little dog with the bad joints

    Wish you a great autumm coming in :)))

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  25. Thanks for sharing your getaway photos, which were spectacularly beautiful and that tree and those arches were great subjects! We are doing much the same the rest of this year and taking short getaways with are either day trips of overniters and staying in-state for now. We have fall foliage 🍁season coming up in New England very soon. Those steps leading to the beach did look challenging, but it would have been the uphill that would have been more challenging for me.

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  26. My kind of vacations ~ Magnificent place and fantastic photos ~ (with the arches would say you were meant to be there) ~ All so beauteous and including your family ~ Wonderful!

    Live each moment with love,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  27. Stunning photos! What a nice getaway. Beautiful scenery to enjoy surrounded by nature. Glad the dog came along and had a good time too. Have a wonderful weekend!

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  28. That was a very pleasant outing.... even with those 100 plus steps. : )
    It was a pleasure to be here with all of you!!
    : )

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  29. It's good that beach was private especially if you have to social distance there, love the doggy so cute.

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  30. Hello,
    I truly enjoyed your trip description and photos. The photogenic tree at sunset is great!
    Hope this pandemic gives us a break in the near future...I want to be optimistic.

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  31. Wow! The photos you took at the beach are as beautiful as the desert ones. I think its a great short vacation especially when you can have the place and beach with hardly anyone around. Great for photo shoots too.

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  32. I am putting that State Park on my "Bucket List." I am so happy that you found arches on your mini vacation. You can do the happy dance with Lily and your wife. Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend.

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  33. You had me awww-ing here! Beautiful, and so nice to see you all, too.
    But I have to admit.... my fav is the seagull! Oh, do I miss these! (Hubby "hates" them as they always tried to steal the fish he caught, which was seldom anyways!).

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  34. Looks like it was a great trip. I love the colors in the fading light.

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  35. We LOVE the Gold Coast & up to and beyond Monterey & Pacific Grove. We've been to all your spots & totally agree with you! Love it all. We're in San Diego & we're so anxious to get on the road, but are still abit too intimidated by the Covid 19. Hopefully, in the near future, we're heading up that way.
    If you go again, try Avila Beach Hot Springs...they're old, but the mineral hot springs are so invigorating!!

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  36. Glad you got a chance to enjoy a few days on the road - sounds like the perfect location under the current circumstances. I love the pictures of the second arch - truly fascinating rock formation. We are planning a road trip for the second half of October, and hope to find a cabin with a small kitchen so that we can do most of our own cooking. We'll see.

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  37. What a lovely little mini vacay! My favorite pics are the one of Lily in the water in front of the arch and the panoramic shot. I love that closeup of the seagull too.

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  38. Beautiful pictures! My husband and I took a road trip to see our son in New Hampshire (we're from Michigan) a few months ago. Traveling was very different!

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  39. When we lived in California and had our plane we used to love to visit the Oceano Airport. They had a nice airplane campground and it was within walking distance of Pismo Beach. - Margy

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  40. I really like what you did with the panoramic view...and I love the photo your wife took of you taking a photo of the tree.

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