Monarch Butterflies, Elephant Seals, and RV Camping
How do you find motivation to write while on vacation? I don’t work all day when I’m on vacation but I try to write daily. It’s Sunday and we are in Pismo Beach, CA. Right now I am sitting in the sun, drinking coffee, talking with my wife and mother-in-law.
This morning many of the other RV campers are packing up and leaving. We just arrived last night and have reservations through next Sunday night. So far we’ve watched a mated pair of Mallards waddle through camp, a few crows and pigeons looking for handouts, and various other songbirds flitting about. I mentioned roast duck to my wife but she didn’t think it was funny. I guess hamburgers will have to do.
Usually I take my stunt kite out to the beach for a couple of sessions but I left it home this time. I don’t think it’s windy enough to fly it anyway. Plus I’m going home tonight. My wife and her mom will be staying all week. My daughter and I will come back next Thursday for the weekend. My wife’s brother will be here with his RV too. We’ll barbeque tri-tip, sit around the campfire, make s’mores, drink beer, and generally enjoy ourselves.
Even though it’s January the weather is great. It’s about 55 degrees at 1045AM. The sun is shining and a slight breeze is blowing the tree branches about. It’ll probably hit the low to mid 60’s by mid afternoon. After enduring the tule fog of the San Joaquin Valley this is pure heaven.
The butterflies are here this time of year. This area of the Central Coast of California attracts Monarch Butterflies for the winter. It’s one of the special attractions we enjoy seeing. They are particularly attracted to the eucalyptus groves in the area. According to scientists up to 225,000 Monarch butterflies spend November through February here. They travel from as far away as Central Canada to winter here. Imagine how strong and tough these seemingly delicate creatures are to fly that far twice a year.
There’s another natural attraction just north of here this time of year. The elephant seals are on the beach, fighting, mating, and generally doing what elephant seals do. Mostly they lay in the sun and sleep. If you go north on Hwy 1 about 45 minutes you get to San Simeon. San Simeon is where Hearst Castle is too. The seashore in this area is rocky with a series of small sand beaches. The elephant seals love it.
Federal law protects the seals and you shouldn’t get too close. The bulls are very large and quite dangerous. They move surprisingly fast and can kill or maim you without a second thought. The dominant bulls protect their harems fiercely from any other male that gets too close. They end up with bloody necks from the fights. Generally the challenges don’t last long. It takes a big and experienced male to take over a harem.
Come and enjoy the Central Coast with us. It’s rejuvenating, relaxing, and the award winning clam chowder at the Splash Café always satisfies.
This morning many of the other RV campers are packing up and leaving. We just arrived last night and have reservations through next Sunday night. So far we’ve watched a mated pair of Mallards waddle through camp, a few crows and pigeons looking for handouts, and various other songbirds flitting about. I mentioned roast duck to my wife but she didn’t think it was funny. I guess hamburgers will have to do.
Usually I take my stunt kite out to the beach for a couple of sessions but I left it home this time. I don’t think it’s windy enough to fly it anyway. Plus I’m going home tonight. My wife and her mom will be staying all week. My daughter and I will come back next Thursday for the weekend. My wife’s brother will be here with his RV too. We’ll barbeque tri-tip, sit around the campfire, make s’mores, drink beer, and generally enjoy ourselves.
Even though it’s January the weather is great. It’s about 55 degrees at 1045AM. The sun is shining and a slight breeze is blowing the tree branches about. It’ll probably hit the low to mid 60’s by mid afternoon. After enduring the tule fog of the San Joaquin Valley this is pure heaven.
The butterflies are here this time of year. This area of the Central Coast of California attracts Monarch Butterflies for the winter. It’s one of the special attractions we enjoy seeing. They are particularly attracted to the eucalyptus groves in the area. According to scientists up to 225,000 Monarch butterflies spend November through February here. They travel from as far away as Central Canada to winter here. Imagine how strong and tough these seemingly delicate creatures are to fly that far twice a year.
There’s another natural attraction just north of here this time of year. The elephant seals are on the beach, fighting, mating, and generally doing what elephant seals do. Mostly they lay in the sun and sleep. If you go north on Hwy 1 about 45 minutes you get to San Simeon. San Simeon is where Hearst Castle is too. The seashore in this area is rocky with a series of small sand beaches. The elephant seals love it.
Federal law protects the seals and you shouldn’t get too close. The bulls are very large and quite dangerous. They move surprisingly fast and can kill or maim you without a second thought. The dominant bulls protect their harems fiercely from any other male that gets too close. They end up with bloody necks from the fights. Generally the challenges don’t last long. It takes a big and experienced male to take over a harem.
Come and enjoy the Central Coast with us. It’s rejuvenating, relaxing, and the award winning clam chowder at the Splash Café always satisfies.
posted by Perry Droast @ 12:10 PM
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