For the third year in a row, we are off to
Jalama Beach to meet with friends from all around California. We start by heading south on Hwy 101.
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| Recent rains have helped green up the crops |
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| Barn art outside of Salinas |
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After a few hours of driving we exit at Vandenberg which brings us back onto two lane blacktops. These road meander through oak trees and large ranches giving us the feeling we are moving farther and farther back in time away from the highly developed modern cities and towns.
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| Road to Jalama |
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| We made it! |
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The first order of business is to set up camp
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| David gets his sleeping quarters set up |
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| RVs and campfire ring |
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| Cathy decks out Splinter for Halloween |
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Then it's time to go for a walk on the beach.
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| Jalama Beach's high cliffs |
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My favorites are beach walks in the mornings with the dogs.
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| The pack is back together |
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| Watch for washed up tar |
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| Surfers are up early too |
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| Fun finding treasures |
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| Pooches |
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| and smooches |
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| Vern, Kelly, Mary, Jamie, Suzy, Terry, Kendall, John |
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There's time to play in the waves or to just hang out on the beach.
Sunny or cloudy - the ocean calls the Ladies' Boogie Board Club together to play in the surf (photos by John & Kendall). Next year I will come prepared with a proper wet suit.
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| Ladies' Boogie Board Club |
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| Washing up on shore |
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| Suzy's having FUN |
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Evenings are for wonderful food and partying. On Italian night, we don mustaches to set the mood.
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David, Cathy, Brent, Mike
Lori, Eric, Mary, Kelly Larry, Terry, Cork
Ed, Peter Kendall, John |
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| Bruschetta appetizers |
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| Home cooked sauce |
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| Dinner's almost ready |
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Saturday night's Hawaii theme is a big hit - especially when fueled by strong Mai Tai's. In fact, they are so strong, that even Jamie comments on how much alcohol is in his. Apparently our bar keeps are using full jiggers instead of halves of two kinds of rum plus various other liqueurs. When it comes time for mine, I ask for half jiggers with lots of ice. Although Mike and Cork readily agreed, Cork tries to distract me while Mike mixes my drink. Bad boys - bad boys!
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| The bar is open - Terry, Peter & Cork |
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| I set up sushi |
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| Vern, Mike, Cork & David |
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| Mike & Cork, Suzy, John & Kendall, Sue & Mary, Terry & David |
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| The natives are getting restless |
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| VERY restless (Kendall photo) |
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| Were the Mai Tai's spiked with Viagra? |
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After dinner and clean up, we gather around a blazing campfire for music and singing.
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| The group campfire |
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| It's mesmerizing |
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| Vern brings his original songs |
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The fog hangs heavy on our last morning. Before packing up Peter, myself, and Cork take one last hike along the top edge of the cliffs to the south. The views are well worth the dicey trail up.
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| Jalama Beach camp |
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| It's the waves that draw surfers to Jalama |
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BUT, it's the natural beauty that keeps calling me back year after year.
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| Sigh - time to go. Same time next year? |
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| Halloween pumpkins for sale |
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| Back on Hwy 101 northward |
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| John shows off his newly restored boat. Great job! |
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| Vineyards & dry hills |
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| El Jefe's house at top of vineyard |
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| Rows of blueberry bushes |
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| Castroville - almost home |
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| Love the Giant Artichoke statue |
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