We Got High

We had a slow start this morning. I had some business to take care of for home so we didn't head out until 10:30. When I walked Jerry early it was cold and kinda windy, so I layered up. I regretted that choice. The trails were all unshaded and HOT. We started by hiking to the top of Black Hill at Morro Bay State Park. The view at the top was stunning.

Check out this short video of the view. 

The hike up to the top was short. I didn't realize that I drove to far up and missed the lower part of the trail.  Since it was so hot, I didn't care. Once at the top we sat on a huge granite boulder and just took in the views. There was a controlled burn to the east, and we could smell the smoke. At one point some turkey vultures were riding the thermals below us and it felt magical to be higher that the birds. There weren't many birds on the hike, but I did hear both Bewick's Wren and California Thrasher singing, and got some pics of an Anna's Hummingbird that captured his bright neon magenta gorget beautifully. 

Does that bird come with batteries??

They glide so effortlessly.

Watch them soar here

A survey marker at the very tippy top of Black Hill.

Morro Rock as seen from the top of Black Hill.

Looking south over the estuary and mudflats

The view to the east.

Soaking up some sun on a rock at the top of Black Hill

We chatted with some other hikers and found out about another nearby trail that seemed appealing. So we drove down to the campground and took walked the "Fitness Trail," which was an easy trail through the coastal shrub. We saw some California Quail, and got nice views of a California Thrasher. 

California Thrasher was a bit of a poser. 

A survey marker at the very tippy top of Black Hill.

I kept wondering what was on those mudflats and how to get up close to the estuary. I could see there were hundreds, if not thousands, of birds out there, but at that distance they were mere specks. So we went exploring. We drove across the bridge to the little town across the creeks called Los Osos. We eventually came upon a place where we could get close. Pasadena Park Beach.  Calling that place a beach is laughable, but there were other dogwalkers about and a bench to sit on and try to sort shorebirds.  It was low tide and there was a lot of exposed mud and gunk. We walked down the "beach" for a bit and Jerry ended up sinking to his knees in black goo. My shoes didn't fare so well either. And that black gunk stunk!

We went back to the motel (glad to be in a rental car-haha) and went straight to the dog wash station. Yes! This motel is so dog friendly that they have a dog wash sink and towels. (they also gave us dog treats and a poop bag holder with a flashlight on it) More on that later...  After cleaning my pup and my shoes we went up to our room where I cobbled together a lunch from my mini frig and then we had a nap.  Day 3 Done. 

Here are the rest of the day's photos. 

About the dog-friendly motel:  I used Bring Fido to plan this trip.  I highly recommend it. At that website you can find dog-friendly accommodations, restaurants, and activities. Just plug in the place you want to go and, voila! You can even book your room right through their site. I used it last month for an overnight in Palm Springs, too. I have found cool dog-friendly restaurants and some even have dog menus so that Jerry can eat a fresh meal with me. You can also find out what shops and trails and other activities allow dogs. That is how I planned our hikes! I am not an affiliate or anything like that. Just passing on a good resource for my readers who want to travel with their pooches.