Morro Bay

December 12, 2024

A no hike, no bike day. It’s windy and fairly cold here, at least in context of the conditions we expect in Southern California, so Rachael decides it’s the right time for a day off. Her big excursion for the day is a walk down to Boo Boo Redords, a used music store, to pick up some used CD’s for the road. In a packing failure when we left Portland we somehow ended up with only four CD’s in the car and we’ve already spun through the whole set twice and are ready for a change. She brought back four, with my turn still coming.

And since I’m staying off the bike until my health improves, this is the obvious best day to drive over to the coast for some birding at Morro Bay. It’s an easy 12 mile drive to the northwest, and a scenic one as it follows the line of the nine sisters, the range of Morris that begins here and ends with the ninth one, Morro Rock, half surrounded by water at the mouth of Morro Bay.

The bay is enticing, but the best birding is to be found in the state park at the boardwalk trail along the bay and overlooking the estuary of Charro Creek. I’m here at a good time with the tide about half-way out and there are tons of birds to be observed. It’s another chance to test out the new Canon. It’s a big success, bringing in birds far enough out that I wouldn’t have been able to identify otherwise.

And it’s a good day overall. My headache hardly bothers me until right at the end of the day. The best day since returning to Portland.

The view across the estuary. Is this the Black Hill?

There are so many birds on the bay this morning! The nearest band is mostly marbled godwits, but the farther one is something new.

Looking east across Morrow Bay. The coast is definitely the place to be today.

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Michael HutchingSorry to hear of your sinus pain Scott. We used to have an advert advocating taking your sinuses to Arizona, so you might be headed in the right direction. Personally, I’ve found Neilmed Sinus rinse to be quite effective at keeping them under control. Don’t know if RFK will outlaw this simple remedy, but if you get in fast, you might beat him to it! All the best for a clear head! Cheers, Michael.
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1 week ago

Scott AndersonTo Michael HutchingThanks, Michael. There are other issues to be revealed that the blog hasn’t caught up with yet, but on the plus side the headache has finally moved on to torment someone else.

And you’re right about the terrifying RFKJr and his ilk. Decertify the polio vaccine? Really? I was a polio pioneer back in West Virginia in 1955, along with every other member of my fourth grade class. Our world has gone mad.
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1 week ago