Traveling the Pacific Coast Highway, aka Highway 1
On day 9, we stayed the night along the Pacific Coast Highway on a wide pull out where there was no cell signal, which also meant no internet. We were the only ones parked there. Pull outs like this one are rare because they allow overnight parking. However, we didn't have phone service or internet from early evening until late morning the next day. From where we "camped" I could see the ocean and watched the sunset and sunrise out my back window.
The beautiful views are the pay off for the many struggles and snafus. One thing I am dealing with is finding out that my beloved camera, that has been at the repair shop for over 12 weeks, is now going to cost $2,275 to repair. The estimate that already blew me away was $700 and that was over a month ago. It was twice what I was expecting, but I accepted it and hoped to receive my camera back any day now. This news a few days ago that it also needed a new sensor bringing the total due almost another $1600 on top of the seven hundred, was quite a blow. I'm having to forgo getting my camera fixed. I'm using a +14 year old second hand camera that is getting me by, but I was so looking forward to the clarity of my good camera that was only 4 years old. C'est la vie. What else is there to do? It will be what it will be.
But another blow was a stupid accident. I hooked my camera's long strap on the back of the couch while walking to my bed and the camera flung out of my hands and crashed to the floor. I haven't tried to use it yet. That happened after dark last night.
Below are views we woke up to and views along the coastal highway. Nature is keeping me going.
The beautiful views are the pay off for the many struggles and snafus. One thing I am dealing with is finding out that my beloved camera, that has been at the repair shop for over 12 weeks, is now going to cost $2,275 to repair. The estimate that already blew me away was $700 and that was over a month ago. It was twice what I was expecting, but I accepted it and hoped to receive my camera back any day now. This news a few days ago that it also needed a new sensor bringing the total due almost another $1600 on top of the seven hundred, was quite a blow. I'm having to forgo getting my camera fixed. I'm using a +14 year old second hand camera that is getting me by, but I was so looking forward to the clarity of my good camera that was only 4 years old. C'est la vie. What else is there to do? It will be what it will be.
But another blow was a stupid accident. I hooked my camera's long strap on the back of the couch while walking to my bed and the camera flung out of my hands and crashed to the floor. I haven't tried to use it yet. That happened after dark last night.
Below are views we woke up to and views along the coastal highway. Nature is keeping me going.
Soul feeding views to be sure.
Seal
The following morning, I strolled down a dirt path through dry, long grass. I was frustrated by posted signs with an "x" through a drawing of a dog. The path wound around to a high cliff area overlooking the ocean. It was spectacular. No one was around. It was probably empty because there was no cell signal and people don't like being that cut off. My first sight was a seal! After spotting him on a rock, I watched the dot of him swimming around.
When we got back into cell range, hours into the next day, I had an urgent message to call my daughter. It's the sort of thing that brings dread and draws the blood in ways that leave the body woozy. She'd sent a text telling me not to worry, that everyone was fine, but there was an issue to discuss. I missed that text. The urgency is all I saw. When we made phone contact, I was immeasurably relieved that loved ones were fine. However, my car has been stolen. Reception was spotty and the call dropped out before we honed in a plan. I pulled over when the signal came back and phoned the police in Colorado. The call dropped out before making the official report. I was waiting for a call back between cell coverage zones along the gorgeous coastal highway. There was nothing I could do but simply wait, so I didn't let it spoil appreciating the views. I've been through a house fire, house burglaries, foreclosure, cancer and much worse. A stolen car is awful, and a financial blow, because insurance won't cover what it's worth, but things could be worse.
I was on the phone with the police about my stolen car and facing this fenced in cemetery high above the ocean.
As I was just pulling up to drain the black and gray tanks for my first time, the phone rang. We were at a State Park along the coastal highway, which we'll be on through Washington state. That day, the park was allowing people to enter for free daytime use. The sewer dump and fresh water fill up was $10. Seemed very reasonable. When I got the propane tank filled in a tiny town just before this, I was told about the State Parks having facilities to drain our tanks. That was news -- and good news -- to me. We had been looking for a place with no luck.
There I was hooking up hoses and trying to figure out how things worked at this dumping spot while simultaneously talking to the police to officially file my stolen car report. One hand on the phone and the other working the hose and credit card thing, while reading directions and answering questions on the phone.
There I was hooking up hoses and trying to figure out how things worked at this dumping spot while simultaneously talking to the police to officially file my stolen car report. One hand on the phone and the other working the hose and credit card thing, while reading directions and answering questions on the phone.
When you Google California's Pacific Coast Highway you'll find this statement, "Even in great weather highway 1 is one of the most dangerous highways." It is a small highway with many hairpins and tight turns and often no shoulder and very narrow. I've been on it once before and that was forty some years ago. It has some of the most gorgeous ocean views in the world. Well worth the attention it takes to drive safely. It runs the length of the entire California coast in to the Redwood forest and Oregon border.
The lone elk among cattle high above the ocean off of Highway 1.
We're going to stay a second night at our beach area off the coastal highway. One RV is camped long term and only one or two were overnight in addition to us. We drove by a State Park yesterday where they have been booked months in advance. Ugh. They were packed in like sardines.
I used my cell booster rod that attaches to the outside of the motor home and it brought the cell signal from one bar to almost full bars. It's my first time using it and I am 5 star happy with it.
My phone can be tethered to my computer so I can access the internet. I'm working on one private investigation case at the moment.
I can hear the waves crashing in the background. Boondocking (free camping) has a lot of pluses over the negatives. Campgrounds charge for dry camping spots (not hooking into utilities/services) an average of $30 to $40 a night. Some places, with views like we have, can cost over a $100 a night to park overnight.
Listening to her book on tape. .
Our views at our free camping spot yesterday and today.
Little glitches include the hot water doesn't turn on in the shower, our fridge doesn't work so we're using ice, and the microwave just burned a filter thing on the inside (started on fire) when we tried cooking some popcorn. Shaking my head, but breathing.
Cooper was very interested in the two dogs nearby. The man was out picking up after them with a rake and dust pan. He is being a good steward of the land and is clearly living at this location for now.
On my next post, I'll catch you up on the RV repair fiasco going on. It's sort of a big deal.
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