August 20

Finally home!

We had four days at Wine Country RV in Paso Robles to unwind. We were lucky to get a space as the park was full due to an Olive Festival that was to take place over the weekend. The first two days we had a premium spot on the upper level, but had to move to the lower level on Friday to accomodate someone with a prior reservation. Paso is normally very hot in the summer, but this heat was draining. We decided to go see our friend Todd at Moonstone Winery in Cambria. As we neared the coast we could see a fog bank filtering into the town. And I didn't bring a sweater! It was actually cold. By the time we had had lunch and tasted a few of Todd's creations the sun was out. Out we went loaded down with a case of our favorites.

Friday morning we moved to the lower level then we did absolutely nothing, until late afternoon when we decided to visit, Cindy, our favorite wine pourer at J&J Winery.  Rob wanted to talk to winemaker Maureen about availability of grapes in the next couple of months, but she was nowhere to be found. No problem, we tasted our way through the bottles Cindy had opened then convinced her to open a couple of others. We managed to get away with only two cases. Back at the park we noticed a Country Coach Inspire had moved in across the street. I found Rob over talking with owner, Norm, when he was supposed to be watching the lighted BBQ (remember the incident at Carabelle Beach just a few short months ago). Norm and his wife, from San Diego area,  had just returned from a trip to Alaska, a possible destination for next summer for us.

Saturday we needed to check out a new favorite, Pear Valley. Still very hot, but their air conditioner was on full blast. We  came away with only three bottles!

Getaway day Sunday dawned early, and we were up with the chickens (there really aren't any chickens at the rv park). The lower site was somewhat tight, but there was plenty of room for Rob to back out. The drive home was uneventful and we were pleasantly surprised with the condition of the road through Santa Barbara. The construction was finally completed with three lanes in each direction all the way to Montecito. Gone are the days of endless traffic due to the stop lights on the freeway. We arrived home to find the gates open ready for us to back in. Our house sitter, Charlene was doing some last minute gardening in the back yard. She's been a great house sitter and has somehow managed to keep my tomato plants alive and prospering. She proudly presented us with one of the heirloom tomatoes she had been nurturing that must have weighed a full pound. I've never been able to get them to grow that beg, at least not before the squirrels helped themselves.

Today dawned even earlier! Dusty didn't appreciate being able to sleep in his own bed, outside in the dog pen instead of curled up next to my bed. He got me up at 3:30, or rather Rob did yelling at him. Oh well, it's cool now and I can get the laundry finished before the sun comes up. Vacations over!!