Three Reasons Why We Love Cambria:
1) Our Hotel
Like I said yesterday, the Fireside Inn is a small place sandwiched right between the beach and Highway 1. Although affiliated with Best Western, it is independently owned and operated. The staff at the front desk were very kind and extremely helpful -- not only did they direct us to the Tea Cozy yesterday, but they also gave us the tip that if we absolutely have to see otters today, we should stop at Morro Bay, a town about 20 miles down the highway.
Our actual hotel room was extremely nice. Through divine intervention (or maybe because we are such a disgustingly cute couple) we were upgraded to an oceanfront room. In addition to a fireplace (I was hoping the Fireside Inn would live up to its name) we had a private patio that we used to enjoy a gorgeous sunset yesterday, and then again this morning with our tea and coffee while we absorbed the stunning yet serene beauty of the rolling surf.
As a sidenote, we had an interesting run-in with a seagull yesterday. The setting was perfect. After a delicious dinner at JJ's Pizza, we picked up a bottle of sparkling wine and headed back to our hotel to enjoy the sunset on our patio. As we were sitting there in paradise, the moment was ruined by a squawking seagull that was bullying another bird -- if you guys know Ashlee, you probably know how much she hates seagulls. In her words, seagulls not only try to eat your food, but they also eat the food of other birds that you are trying to feed, and they poop on people. Well now she can add to the list the fact that they are incredibly rude. As the seagull flew overhead squawking, Ashlee politely asked it to be quiet and to get along with the other birds. In response, not only did the seagull continue with the squawks, but it dropped a big poo on the adjoining patio as it literally flew off into the sunset. Oh snap!
Actually, thinking about it now, Ashlee has quite the rapport with our avian friends. Just this morning we were sitting on the patio engaged in our daily caffeine ritual when a small bird walked right up to within 5 feet of her, looked her squarely in the eye, and started chattering away. We weren't sure if Ashlee had offended this bird in anyway, but it was clear that the bird was not happy. We tried to ignore it, but then it started getting louder and ruffling itself all up. Thinking the bird couldn't get any madder than it already was, we took a picture of it. What's up with the birds in Cambria?
2) The Coast
Newport Beach has nothing on California's Central Coast. Between the brilliant blue hue of the water, the roiling and foamy white surf as it crashes on the rocky shore, the abundant sea life just lazing about, and the mellow feel of the sleepy beach towns, it is beautiful.
I'll admit, however, that we have been fortunate on this trip with amazing weather and very few crowds. I'd be interested to see what this trip would be like during the summer months -- actually on second thought, I prefer it exactly like it is.
After breakfast at our hotel (they had a waffle maker!) we spent the morning walking along the footpaths that line the coast. Armed with our binoculars (one pair our own and the other provided by the hotel) we were hoping to catch sight of some otters. On the rocky tidepools just in front of our hotel we ran into some seals basking in the warm sunshine. It appeared that the large group was broken into several mother-pup pairs. The pups seemed really young as many of them struggled to pull their awkward bodies out of the water. You could almost hear them say "Momma! Momma!" as they flopped around on the slippery rocks.
Further along the coast we spotted several large kelp beds (the habitat of choice for otters) just off-shore. As we used our binoculars to scan the horizon we saw tons of seaweed, but none of our furry-faced otter friends. Oh well, there's always the promise of Morro Bay.
3) Downtown, Cambria
Downtown Cambria is a paradise for Ashlee. It is simply shops galore. Every one of them is slightly different and they're all selling antiques, knick knacks, and/or expensive pieces of art. Ashlee loved how each shop had its own architectural style and catchy name. We've already told you about the Tea Cozy yesterday -- it was really just an old house with British paraphenalia stuffed in every nook and cranny. There was also the Squibb House, a big yellow workshop and adjoining B&B specializing in Amish wooden furniture imported from Pennsylvania. The swivel rockers were amazing! We also enjoyed a little wine shop called Fermentations, whose $5 wine tasting provided a pleasant buzz before dinner last night.
At the moment, I'm sitting at a small cafe nursing a cappuchino while Ashlee is taking advantage of all the "shoppurtinities." The biggest concern on my mind is where we'll be eating lunch. Speaking of which, I'm getting hungry...
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