Brisbane, QLD


Sunday, June 10, 2012

TOURING WITH AN ANGEL

After visiting the elephant seals my cousins took us to other interesting places near San Luis Obispo.
 We called into the visitor centre for "Hearst Castle" but we didn't go on a tour of the castle as we had done that years ago and we had other places to go which we hadn't seen before.

 We called into an exclusive village called Cambria but there was one not so exclusive house named "Nitwit Ridge". It was made out of recycled rubbish it may have been something special in its heyday but it is condemned now.

 Then we drove on to a pretty beach town at Morro Bay. Morro Rock out in the bay is one of nine extinct volcanos in the area. It is a bird sanctuary for nesting Peregrine Falcons. 

 Near the wharf there was a fish shop with a giant clam shell outside, where one can sit an pretend to be an angel. My cousin's wife Lois is an angel. She is committed to her religion, a good artist, a super host and a loving, caring mom and grandmother of a big family. 

 At Morro Bay we visited a fabulous shell shop that had the biggest collection of shells that I had ever seen.

Lois also showed me around a beautiful garden shop that was big, diverse and specialised in succulents.
That evening our hosts took us to a theatre restaurant at Oceano to see 'The Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville." It was a highly entertaining evening and a big day.

31 comments:

  1. Fascinating indeed this place called "San Luis Obispo". Is it promoted for tourism?
    Unfortunately many interesting places around the World are not! You are very lucky to have relatives over there to show these different places, which are not on the tourist map.
    It would be interesting also to find out why in an "exclusive reserve like Cambria,(sounds very Italian!), that a place like "Nitwit Ridge" was permitted.
    Great blog and even better news - I was not hit by "messy things" from overhead today!
    Cheers
    Colin (HB)

    ReplyDelete
  2. We did this drive some years ago so enjoying the trip with you. We visited Hearst Castle but I didn't catch Nitwit Ridge.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What great cousins you have, Diane. They have taken you around to see many great things... That looks like a beautiful area--where I have never been.

    Thanks for sharing.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  4. I like to imagine living in a castle although I'm pretty sure I never will.
    Nitwit Ridge looks very interesting and probably more my speed. Well, except those two toliets out front. :)
    Smiling at Lois in her 'wings'.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Nitwit Ridge ... what a fabulous name for it. It certainly doesn't look livable anymore though. That shell collection looks absolutely impressive. Where did they all come from? The giant clam shell is a monster, but I do so love the idea of posing for an angel shot in front of it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The shells were mainly from USA but there were others from all over the world.

      Delete
  6. I love the name Nitwit Ridge! It looks like you had a really good tour that day. Isn't Morro Bay just gorgeous? I haven't been there in years but I remember it as being a very pretty spot.

    ReplyDelete
  7. The live crabs are to buy and take home to eat?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lovely Diane. Your cousin sitting there with Angel wings :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Boats tied up at a jetty always look great. I bet Nitwit Ridge would have some stories to tell.

    ReplyDelete
  10. A great post Diane ... From Nitwit castle to angels, shells and finishing up at that gorgeous garden shop.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love to read about someone's travels and with you it is always interesting. Funny to put the shells that way.

    ReplyDelete
  12. what an interesting post. i love the angel wings. gorgeous. garden shop looks amazing too.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Good God! Thanks Carletta for bringing the "open air" toilets to notice. I conpletely missed them. This, San Luis Obispo, sure is full of suprises. Men's waterfall "rest rooms" and now "open air toilets", the add "defrocking" elephant whales with thankfully winds sending "perfumes" elsewhere. What pray tell Diane is the next excitement of this San Luis Obispo?
    Cheers
    Colin

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sigh, I've never set foot in the US and hope to change that sometime soon...

    You've been tagged for a meme - http://blurbfromtheburbs.blogspot.ch/2012/06/it-goes-all-way-up-to-eleven.html

    ReplyDelete
  15. i like that nitwit house. would love to see it and to bad they don't fix it up and keep it. nice angel shot.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love it. Now I have to go back to Moro Bay. I stayed there one night at a motel on the drive up the coast and woke up in the morning to hear that we'd had an earthquake. And I missed it! Dang. :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Looks lovely!! Have a good Sunday:)

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a beautiful tour ! The Nitwit Ridge house looks picturesque !

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks for the tour. That house sure is unique!! I love the shell shop.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Love love the clamy angel! LOL Fun photos and I too enjoy the garden shops and until I was visiting in Phoenix never thought to bring the camera.

    ReplyDelete
  21. What an amazing tour...and thank you for sharing it. I love the photos!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Those shells are beautiful. it sounds like your angel is a wonderful lady and it looks like you had great fun on your tour. You manage to see so many interesting things wherever you travel.

    ReplyDelete
  23. A post packed full of interest, as usual. And I love your header pic - ah, the freedom of a swing.

    ReplyDelete
  24. You have been well entertained! "Nitwit Ridge" made me laugh...

    ReplyDelete
  25. When I saw the nitwit house my first thought was wow............it is awesome I love the design of it............

    ReplyDelete
  26. Diane, I kind of like the nitwit house. Has to be an original, LOL! Your cousin's wife sounds like a lovely person and hostess. Glad you all had a great time touring. Wonderful photos. Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I would ahve loved to shop in this shell shop! Morro Bay is so lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I think it's very special to see the Hearst Castle and meet an angel all in the same day. Morro Bay is gorgeous, but I like the name 'Nitwit Ridge'.

    ReplyDelete
  29. The rubbish house is amazing! Also love the shell and garden shop shots. Lovely!

    ReplyDelete