Day Three, our last day, on the Central Coast, began with hunger. Because, if you may remember from the end of day two, we skipped dinner after pretty much eating our way through the previous 12 hours. So, we did what all good travelers do… we Yelped. And found Louisa’s Place in San Luis Obispo. Quite the spot on the main drag.
It was delicious by the way. And packed. I was too hungry and too squished to whip out the camera. You’ll have to imagine the corned-beef-hash and eggs. I don’t do food photography well, so maybe the image in your brain is better anyway.
Since we were in San Luis Obispo, we felt it necessary to do the “tourist thing” and head to the famed Mission, “San Luis Obispo de Tolosa”, one of 21 in California. Despite the mission having been here since the late 1700s, it was decidedly unimpressive as a structure. As it was Sunday midday, it was also very busy with modern-day worshippers piling out onto the courtyard after a service, so I have no idea if it was any more inspiring inside.
What we did find just steps from the front door of the mission, however, was SLO’s own little riverwalk. Which, of course, we walked. And promptly wished there was more to see and do so we could stay for lunch in one of the many cute restaurants hanging over the riverway.
I guess at this point it’s time to prove I was actually there, at all these places, with a photo from my friend, E. Yup, that’s me being all “posey”. It was a good hair day, I felt.
Next, we strolled around downtown SLO. It’s mainly stores – a mixture of local boutiques and higher-end chains – which meant we didn’t linger long. E is not much of a shopper and has about as much patience for browsing store racks as my 3 year old daughter does. Scratch that, my daughter actually may enjoy shopping more.
At this point we were done with SLO and decided to drive back up Highway 1 to visit Morro Bay and its famous 581 foot “Rock”, which pretty much dropped our jaw on the way down the coast that morning.
Morro Bay is an interesting little coastal town from a visual perspective. The main road is quaint fishing village but ends with a power house with 3 huge stacks that completely overwhelm the skyline and that are matched only by this massive rock which lives directly opposite it.
We spent quite a while sitting in the sunshine, in front of the rock. We considered driving down the causeway onto it but realized that, photographically, the best views were on the shoreline.
Again, a big shoutout to my friend, E, for capturing me as well as the rock. It’s so nice to have been on a trip with someone who actually takes my photo. Not because I’m vain and like to see myself on camera but more because, as the person who is always behind the lens, I often find I return home from a place only to discover that there are no photos actually showing me there. Such is the burden of a photographer. Unless/he she goes with someone who is equally as attached to their camera. Thanks to Elena, I actually have a whole gallery of images on Flickr of me on the Central Coast. Check them out here.
Our last hours of our last day ended on the beach back in Cambria with out tripods. We were trying to experiment with long exposures and the waves but the sunset on the horizon was a little too bright to help us out and our experiments mostly went to the cutting room floor (or, at least mine did. You can see some of E’s here.) Pretty much all we really achieved was freezing our patooties off. Oh, and some great sunset shots, of course. Who can resist?
And thus ended our fabulously rejuvenating girl’s photo safari on the Central Coast. Next year we’re thinking of doing a 360 and meeting in Arizona. I personally am not a big fan of the desert aesthetic, which is exactly why I want to go: it will be an awesome challenge to make red dirt pretty.
Thanks for following my adventures with E. If you missed the previous posts, here are some quick links:
Very nice end to what appears to be a perfect mini vacation. You have some beautiful photos, I love the black & white with those fluffy clouds,the man weighing the fish and of course you, nice shot.
I would have guessed it……Corn Beef Hash and eggs. Love the pictures, especially of the fishermen and the waves crashing on the rocks….really cool shots. Glad you and E had a good time.
Ah, such lovely pics. So fun to relive this again. <3