So my first California small circle day started in a town self-styled the happiest place in the US, San Luis Obispo.Its a picturesque town near the Pacific coast, north of LA. Rolling volcanic hills, fertile soils, fabulous fresh produce and loads of history and art. Quirky interesting shops, loved this particular little store….
Any small circle day has to start with finding the right foodie place and my research led us to Big Sky Cafe for breakfast. Many mugs of good coffee while I savored the homemade ginger coffee cake and delish 'killer corncakes'. I loved the way my poached eggs were served in a ramekin with fresh food on the side, neat idea, a keeper.
A good small circle day involves discovery. The serene Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa in downtown SLO, was the fifth California mission founded by Father Junipeo Serra in 1772. A quiet sit in the church listening to music, a garden in flower, bells steeped in history, a well structured museum.
The day continued to tick all my boxes, superb olive oil tasting at Pasolivo and buying my first punchy intense California evo oil. Could not resist pesto, olive jam, and jalapeño mustard. Yum.
The Vineyard Road near Paso Robles was as beautiful as our winelands in the Cape. An avenue lined with huge oaks with Spanish Moss dripping from the branches.
Outstanding wine tasting at the organic vinery - Tablas, grape varietals were completely new to me like tannat and moudvedre. Day seemed to get even more languid after all the wine.
My first lifer for the US trip, Yellow-billed Magpie, a bird of the west coast here in California, handsome and gregarious! Also saw the Acorn Woodpecker - picking acorns.
Finally a walk.
We braved the wind and took in the spectacular rock formation at the harbor in Morro Bay.
To make sure the day suited Fred as well, finished with a wholesome burger.
I feel that I am finding place…. over 300 miles to date, only 2.5 miles walking...
