2013 Winter Trip, Stop 1

Sunset while walking on the Beach!

We left home on January 9, after a weeks delay. Our first stop is Pismo Beach. We were going to go to Morro Bay, but had to make the change, and we were glad we did.

Sun up out our window of Trailer

Sunset just up the street at the beach

The weather has been perfect. The first few days it was cold, 32 one night, but it has warmed up to 70 on Sunday.

Vonna enjoying the Trailer

Alan - Loving our time together

We have been getting used to and enjoying the new trailer. Doesn't seem possible that the fifth wheel seems that much larger than the other trailer. Most of the extra room is in the bedroom. Having a full closet and the normal queen bed is great. We have an electric fireplace that keeps the living room warm while playing games at night. And chairs at the table, that makes a world of difference to sit at for hours playing games.


Tommy and Carol live about 25 miles from here. We've seen them a few times, had dinner with them, out to lunch in Pismo, and a side trip to Cambria. It is always good to spent time wIth them.

The Dogs enjoying the
 sun in new Trailer

The days here go really fast. The first couple of day we rearranged everything in the trailer, trying to figure out where everything should go. A lot of work for Vonna, and pointing for me - haha. We have everything about where we want it. We have a lot more storage space, don't have to have as much on the counter.

We are about half a mile from the beach. We walk down there with the dogs, running them on the beach. They seem to love the sand, but Chloe' didn't like the taste of the water. Vonna walked one day on the beach and found a lot of sand dollars. She loves to hunt for shells, and walked farther than she has in weeks.

We're walking!

I will not get specific with days or dates in these blogs. During these two weeks the time seems to run together, and we forget what day it is, or what the date is. I have a calendar that we read from each morning (if we remember) that has the date, but we are on a trip, and all thing are subject to change.

Vonna's cousin and her husband, Peggy and Robert, are host at the other Pismo Beach State Park. They came by one afternoon to visit. Vonna and I had cleaned the trailer that morning and just got back from a bike ride as they got here. They said they couldn't stay long because they had to be back to work. We talked about our trips and their adventures and before we new it it was 2 hours later and they were late for work. Thats what happens when you are retired. We will try to get together again before we leave for our next location.

Tippie's tattoo!

Alan & Alan III keeping warm

We took a trip to Pismo Beach with Tom, Carol, and Alan. We had a great dinner at BBQ restaurant that they had been to before. The food was great!! And the service was good. Afterwards we walked down the street, looking at different stores, buying a couple of shirts for me, and a new sweatshirt for Tom. Alan found an ice cream store for us to have desert. He is a Nelson.

Happy Birthday, Vonna

The next day we when to Tom and Carol's for dinner. Michael was home and it was good to see him too. We had a great dinner, and birthday cake for Vonna, including ice cream. It was a great time of visiting and eating.

I Wish I was Retired!!

Michael at home

We sometimes even get a little turned around as we drive. We left Tom's and I knew the freeway was on our left, so I made a left at the next signal light. In the dark. We drove for a few blocks and we were lost. A hard thing to do in a small town. I'm getting smarter though - I still don't stop for instructions, but I do stop and turn on the GPS and ask "WHERE AM I AND HOW DO I GET OUT OF HERE?" On with the GPS, out on the Main Street again, and we are off to the freeway and back to Pismo. A great afternoon with our family.

Look at the shells!

Vonna and I took it easy during the next week. Shopping at Target and coffee at Starbucks. Walks around the campground and to the beach. Riding the bikes around the campground. Weather is great and campground is almost empty during the week and half full on the week-end. We have really enjoyed our time here.

So cute!  Need to get them!

On the second Saturday we picked up cinnamon rolls from a famous place

Shop, shop, shop!

here in Pismo Beach, and off to Tom & Carol's to eat them. Then we loaded into the truck and headed to Cambria for the day. We looked in all of the Antique Shops, clothing shops, junk shops, tourist traps, and everything else we could go into. Carol kept up with Vonna, I have learned to stop, read, relax, and talk to people. Tom was trying to keep up, but asked me if we always do this. I said yes and he said he was wore out. I told him that is why I don't even try to keep up anymore.

It was good, but I'm Full

Yum!  Chicken Strips!

We had dinner at the Grill, a hamburger joint that had great food. Vonna's wasn't done like she wanted it done, but everyone else's was great. Alan even got full. We walked around that end of town, and it was almost time for the shops to close, but Vonna wanted to go back to get something she had seen. We couldn't find a parking place, so I just dropped Vonna and Carol off and drove down the street to a parking place. I text her, and the phone in the back seat rings. Anyway, they bought what they needed and got back to the truck without any problems.

The fun couple

The Nelson's

Tom said that we are at the beach and hadn't seen the beach all day. We drove north till we saw a turnout and watched the sunset on a wonderful
day that The Lord had given us.

My Grandson is growing up.

Lively group.

On Sunday we stayed at the trailer for a rest day - watching the 49ers winning!!!! Retirement is great. Nice to work & have money, but nicer to have time. We sat around, BBQ'd, and enjoyed a quiet day together.

Had to take my own
 picture on the beach!

With three days left here, we called Tom and told him we would be in SLO and would like to meet for dinner. We decided to meet at Panda Express, picking up something for Alan at McDonalds. We shopped around a little before we met them. I wasn't feeling great, so I stopped at Starbucks before Vonna got through shopping. Tom got there at 6 and we got our food. We were sitting there talking, and all of a sudden I had to go to the restroom. I lost my dinner. Not something I have done much, 4 or 5 times in our married life.

We told the kids good by and headed for the trailer, Vonna driving because I didn't feel real good. Not a lot of sleep that night, so the next day I felt better, Vonna taking good care of me, feeding me chicken soup. The next day I thought it was all over, and showered, dressed, and was ready to get back on track with our trip. We were to leave on Wednesday, and we had told the rangers that I was sick. We asked about staying a couple more days and they said no problem. I got sick again, only the other end. After that it was down hill for a few days. My legs felt like they were burning, aching, just not normal. Couldn't stay down more than a few minutes in bed. This went on for a few days.

We went to Urgent Care two days in a row, test, blood test, and everything normal. No sleep and nights got worse, I stood in front of the fireplace and slept standing up. Not a lot of rest. On Saturday the doctor told Vonna to go to the hospital and that they could do some ex rays to see if my back was out. So off we went, more time at the hospital emergency room, but we were early and only one person there when we got there. Did a lot of test, and everything was normal. The Doctor felt that the virus had settled in my muscles or nerves. He gave me a prescription a muscle relaxer and sleep aid. I took it as soon as we got home and felt a little better a few hours later. We went to bed at 10 and I didn't remember anything until 8 am. Feeling better this morning. Thanks for all the prayers.

We will be here until Wednesday morning, then a day or two at Solvang, and back on the trip to Daniel's and other great adventures.

This has been a hard week for Vonna, taking care of me and everything. She is a keeper.

Love you all, Until next time.

Looking forward to seeing you on the road,

Alan & Vonna Nelson

Sunset at Pismo Beach