Amtrak to California, Part 2: M*A*S*H Hike

California, Day One (9 Photos)

We were able to rent a car right from the downtown LA Amtrak station, this time a white Ford Focus.  We were soon on our way north, driving through totally insane traffic.  The traffic was so bad that I swear I will never drive willingly in L.A. on a weekday ever again.  We got out of town okay, but just barely, and only after some nail-biting delays.  In-bound traffic was at a standstill for miles and miles as we continued north.  Our first stop was to be Malibu Creek State Park, where the non-studio scenes from M*A*S*H were filmed.  It is close to L.A., but it still took awhile to get there due to heavy traffic.

 Deb signed up for a tour of duty with the 4077!  It was an easy back country hike to the scene of the famous tv series.  There were interpretive signs everywhere detailing the camp layout.  A shaded picnic area sits atop the original mess tent location.  A few old vehicles are still lying around.  We stayed for a while, including a visit to the helicopter pad.

 Besides the fun of seeing the location of M*A*S*H (there was a cast reunion here in 2008), the mountain scenery was quite fabulous.  However, it was very warm (mid to high 80s) and unshaded much of the way.

 After hiking, we drove north to Morro Bay, where our first night's motel was located.  We backtracked to San Luis Obispo for dinner, which had a lovely downtown and several restaurants.  Woodstock Pizza offered vegan cheese and several microbrew taps.  There was enough pizza left over to bring back for tomorrow.

 Next morning we got acquainted with Morro Bay and Morro Rock.  The rock is enormous, and we could see it from our nearby motel room.  It rises nearly 600' (note the vehicles parked in front).  The bay was filled with seabirds, including pelicans diving for fish.  There were also seals and otters.  This side of the rock is a sheltered harbour.  On the right side is a more violent ocean, and even early in the morning there were quite a few surfers.

View of the town of Morro Bay, from the area of Morro Rock.  The town and rock are linked by a bike path and a separate pedestrian path, as well as a road.  The town is quite adorable, and we both left it with reluctance.

Far side of Morro Rock.  Surf was up!

Later that day we drove Highway 1 up the coast as far as Monterey.  At one vista point a group of elephant seals were resting on a beach.

Telephoto shot of resting seals.  The white on their noses is from salt crusting.

Another shot of the coast.  We walked a short trail here, enjoying the sounds and the sights, all quite new for us.  Normally, we are desert dwellers.

To Be Continued....