July 3rd

Nothing beats an unexpected three-day weekend!  Jake and I didn't want to waste it, so we planned an impromptu trip down the coast.  We made the pretty three hour drive down hwy 101 early in the morning and got to one of my favorite beaches just in time for lunch.  Spooner's Cove at Montana de Oro State Park is a beach I discovered with Morgan and Leah back in 2006.  The rocky beach has lots of fun tide pools and a big rock plateau in the middle where you can look out over the ocean.  

We climbed up to the overlook (a little bit of a challenge with a heavy cooler) and picnicked on tuna fish sandwiches, potato salad and fruit.  

After lunch, we drove a few minutes up the coast to Morro Bay and did some kayaking around the harbor.  The bay is a natural estuary and a bird sanctuary so we saw some HUGE pelicans and even a couple harbor seals!  Jake did most of the paddling...

We beached on a little island to explore the dunes.

After we docked, we explored the Embarcadero and a little aquarium with a rescued harbor seal, a sea lion and lots of fish and crabs.  I named the seal "Creeper" because he had slimy eyes, little slits for nostrils and looked a lot like a cuter version of Voldemort.

On the way back up, we stopped in Cambria for THE BEST SEAFOOD DINNER EVER at Moonstone Beach Bar and Grill.  The restaurant had an ocean view and delicious halibut.  When we were ready to go, I tried to warn Jake about taking hwy 1, but he was up to the challenge.  The switch backs were a little ridiculous, but the view was beautiful.  Without a doubt, It was the best July 3rd ever.