Avila Beach, California

We take one step forward and two back as more delays set in to slow our progress towards getting the house on the market.  We are not discouraged as we see the end of our house anchor in Cambria in sight.  

But, first, as we left to spent the weekend in Avila Beach for a photo shoot, the RV nearly didn't make it out of the mud that soaked the ground with all the rains we had recently.  Dug a deep hole that we figured we'd address when we got back.

Avila Beach is what California is all about.

Avila Beach (about 45 minutes south of Cambria)

Parked at Avila Beach

Just one other camper in our area.  

It rained off and on during the weekend.  Beautiful rainbow breaking through the clouds.

Pelicans everywhere!

After Avila Beach, we decided to spend the night in San Simeon State Park as we contemplated what to do about the large hole where the RV was to be parked by our house.  Bill and Jerry first laid some additional running boards to drive on.  Then, after many phone calls, Jerry finally got help filling in the hole with rock and other ground cover. 

Spreading rock over ground so we can park RV next to house.

Tree Removal and Elephant Seals on the Central Coast of California

Busy week.  We are slowly moving forward, getting things done. 

Removing the tree was some endeavor!  It took 6 and sometimes 7 men working 8 hours to saw it down, piece by piece, and remove all of the wood.  Still need to repair the damage to the house.

We took some time Friday afternoon to drive 18 miles up the coast to see the elephant seals on the beach.  This is mating and birthing time for them.  We didn't see any birthing, but saw a lot of new pups.  As for the mating, let's just say that those bulls sure know how to satisfy their harem.  (Sorry, but we won't be posting those shots.)

Thousands of elephant seals beach along the California coast. 

One big bull posing for the camera!

Male surveying the scene.

Pup sucking on mother.

Just how cute is that!

Storms in Cambria, California

Looks like it will take us longer to get this place ready for market.  Terrific winds, rain, thunder storms and lightening off and on for the whole week so far.  Then we woke up to a large bang when one of the trees in our front yard fell right on to our house. 

Yesterday the whole town was out of electricity.  We were out for almost two days.  The power just came on a few minutes ago.  Luckily, though, we had a generator and a fireplace to keep us warm.

Cambria, California

It's raining today (temperature is 50) and is suppose to rain the whole week.  But earlier this week, the weather was quite nice.  Chanti and I took a number of walks along the Fiscalini Ranch, and Jerry was able to do his running.  Here are some pictures I took from the Ranch.

Still in the process of fixing the house and going through old "stuff."  It's taking longer than we thought because we have to stop and re-read all of the old cards and letters that are over 30 plus years old.  And, then there are all of the kids' school "stuff" that we are putting into different piles to return to them.  Some are so funny to us, I'm tempted to post them on Facebook.  But, I won't!  So relax kids!

Cambria, California

We've had some magnificent sunsets this past week in Cambria.  Jerry took this picture from our porch.  And, the sky really was that red!

Just came back from having brunch at the Moonstone Beach Bar and Grill with Pat and Bill, and with our close friend, Greg, (who drove down from Scotts Valley yesterday and spent the night with us).  We were celebrating Pat's birthday.  The sky was blue and clear during the brunch, but by the time I took this picture, the fog had rolled in.

Meanwhile, Jerry and I are continuing our slow process of moving forward with getting the house ready for market.  Lots of little things to do.  We've made a list to keep us on track. 

This Concludes Our 2009 RV Trip

We leave Pismo Beach tomorrow and head back to Cambria.  Our 2010 plans are to sell our house, sell this Vectra RV and buy a used Prevost that we will call our new home.  With that, we will have a "tiny house and a very big back yard" (the whole United States, Canada and Alaska).  We will move where and when the spirit calls to us.  As long as our health stays good, this will be our life going forward.  Feel free to follow with us on our adventures with this blog, which may be a bit boring until we hit the road again. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2010

Pat and Bill are with us and spent New Year's Eve.  Had the best prime rib we ever had that Jerry made.  Unfortunately, my pictures of the food didn't turn out and Pat (who also took pictures) inadvertently erased all of her pictures on her camera this afternoon (even those taken at Christmas).  What a bummer!

Here are just a few more pictures of the sunset and pier taken last night.  And, this morning we walked to the Pismo Beach pier and saw lots of people strolling the beach and pier, and surfing.

Tonight we will have the Chinese food, a tradition in the Shea family -- to have Chinese food on New Year's Day for good luck!