TravelsandEscapes

Looking for a B & B in San Luis Obispo, California? Look no further than Petit Soleil.

It is billed as a “touch of European charm in the heart of San Luis Obispo” and they are right.

Located at 1473 Monterey Street, it is close enough to downtown restaurants and shops. Looking a little like an old motel that’s been redone, we first wondered about it. Stepping through the courtyard, its charm extended from the front door all the way to the rooms.

The front desk staff and cooks greeted us upon arrival with fresh baked cookies. You would have thought we were old friends as easily as we were welcomed.

An eclectic back court yard seems to work for them. Sit and enjoy the waterfalls, watch birds, or just read the paper with a cup of coffee or glass of wine. Priced as most B & B’s it’s more than your everyday hotel. Customer service, wine and hors d’oeuvres, cooked made-to-order breakfast, fresh pastries and comfortable quiet rooms make it worth the little extra.

We’ll be back.

Morro Bay, a California coastal town, is about halfway between LA and San Francisco. Birds, sea critters and scenery make this town along the Big Sur coast a popular stop.

Pelicans congregated in bunches, armadas, fleets or whatever it is called when Pelicans get together. Fishing must have been good.

Big rolling waves tumble onto the beach all along this working fishing village.

Hard to tell in this photo…but otters were busy playing and rolling in the kelp a few yards from shore. Joining them were seals and more Pelicans.

Of course the noisy gulls were keeping an eye on everyone. Fish, Fish, Fish? Mine, Mine, Mine they screamed over and over. Pelicans would congregate…gulls would swoop in. Otters would roll and splash…gulls would be right there. Seals would dive, surface and blow air…gulls would land close. They even watched me taking their picture. Perhaps I had some food they could steal.

October 3 and 4 this year was the annual Harbor Festival in Morro Bay. If you are looking for art, food, wine, views and sunshine…make plans for next year.

This is Morro Rock, up close. Sitting in the harbor it was named by explorer Juan Rodriguez.

Take a visit to this part of California’s Big Sur along Highway 1. You won’t be disappointed.

Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo, CA hosted South Dakota State University in football this past weekend.

It was a gorgeous night to start with, then became “football weather”. Temps were in the 40’s by the end of the game. SDSU lost their quarterback to a knee injury early in the game and the freshman replacement did okay until the end. SDSU lost 21-14 in the last two minutes. What a heart breaker.

J. Lohr Winery hosted an event for South Dakota State University Alumni this past weekend. Tours were given and a BBQ lunch for over 300 people was served. This is no small operation. See for yourself…

Lots of grapes…lots and lots.

Inside one of the barrel rooms was where the lunch was held.

Grapes being dumped into the conveyor system.

Grapes moving on up.

Jackrabbits and wine…great combination. Of course the Jacks play football…

Inside a barrel room

Grapes being dumped into the machine with a large rotating auger.

Grapes being moved along…only one step of many in the fruit to bottle process.

Cambridge, England was a few months ago…but these images bring back fond memories.

Along the English Channel

Just a yard we walked by on our way to our morning coffee and pastries

They even serve wine

The River Cam and punts

Anyone know what these are?

This doesn’t really qualify as a travel blog entry…but it does have something to do with my ability to write today. Apparently last night was a good night to race in our hallway…all night.

Now, I know there is a full moon coming soon…but these two decided to start early with their shenanigans.

Of course, today they are both sleeping all day. I have some writing deadlines to meet and all I want to do is take a nap with them

While walking around Mount Diablo State Park, we noticed these trees. Mahogany-red colored bark covers most of the tree.

The red bark is extremely smooth, looking almost variegated on some branches and areas of the trunk.

Anybody know what tree this is?

Don’t have a gym at your hotel and you want some exercise? When driving, stop at a rest stop and use a bench for step ups or push ups. Be sure to stop often when driving to stretch your legs.

If your flight is a long one, get up and walk around. When seated for a long period of time rotate your ankles, first one way and then the other way. Take off your shoes to allow better circulation. I always take a pair of socks just for long flights.

In your hotel room, do some squats or lunges while watching TV. Take the stairs if you can. And always include a walking tour of the city. Great exercise, great photo ops and great exercise.

Know what this is? It’s a pile of Alpaca wool. Softer than soft…

Nice sign if you don’t look at what the little guy is doing.

A new baby and his mom.

The new baby.

These guys have such sweet dispositions and are very curious. Alpacas were once called the hidden treasure of the Incas. Fabric from the Alpacas found dates back over 2000 years. This fabric had been the currency of the Inca people.

This guy wanted to know what my camera was all about.

Just resting in the shade.

Greeters as you enter their pen.

Heading to San Diego in October? Here are some great Halloween tricks…or treats.

If you are in the area or traveling to San Diego this October, take a look at some of these events for Halloween. Because San Diego’s weather is so mild in October, many of these sorts of events are held outdoors including one that is set in nature.

Haunted Trail in Balboa Park

Perhaps the best outdoor setting for a terror-filled experience, especially since the park is pretty scary at night any time! The spooky and dark trails are located in the Marston Point section of the Park which is east of Sixth Avenue and Juniper Street in Balboa Park. Look for the orange signs with the ghoulish writing to point you in the right direction.

The Haunted Trail in Balboa Park starts on September 25, 2009 and goes until October 31, 2009. This will allow plenty of time to get the living daylights scared out of you! The Haunted Trail is open from 7pm to 12 Midnight Fridays and Saturdays and 7pm to 11pm Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The monsters and witches take a break on Mondays and Tuesdays except for October 26 and 27, 2009.

Admission: $14.99 per person

For more information, call: (619) 696-SCARE or buy your tickets online.

Please note: This experience is not recommended for gremlins younger than 10 years old.

Haunted Hotel

Rooms decorated to bring back the spirits of Hollywood horror films from the past, the hotel is situated in an old building that probably has stories of its own to tell. The Haunted Hotel is located at 424 Market Street in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. The terror starts on September 25, 2009 and goes until October 31, 2009. Operating hours for the Haunted Hotel are: Fridays and Saturdays from 6pm to 1am and Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7pm to 11pm. The venue is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays except for October 26 & 27, 2009.

Admission: $14.99 per person with plenty of free street parking available since parking meters are not enforced after 6pm.

For more information, call: (619) 696-SCARE or buy your tickets online.

Please note: This experience is not recommended for gremlins younger than 10 years old.

Scream Zone at the Del Mar Fairgrounds

Three haunted attractions await you; the House of Horror, the Haunted Hayride and The Chamber. Each dwelling is inhabited by terrifying creatures and scary scenes. Local actors play the part of the many ghouls and monsters that dwell in this very scary Scream Zone. Be prepared to scream your head off.

The Scream Zone at the Del Mar Fairgrounds is open September 25 & 26th, October 2-4th, October 8-11th and October 15-18th. After that, the Scream Zone is open every night from October 22 until October 31st. The hours are as follows: Sundays-Thursdays are from 7pm to 11pm; Fridays & Saturdays from 7pm to Midnight.

Admission, Discounts & Parking

“Triple Haunt” – House of Horror, Haunted Hayride & The Chamber: $27.99

“Double Haunt” – The Chamber plus House of Horror or Haunted Hayride: $18.99

“Single Haunt” – House of Horror or Haunted Hayride: $14.99

There is no cost to enter The Scream Zone complex. Parents who aren’t planning on entering the attractions can have something to eat or drink while waiting for the kids.