More new parts!

Slowly rebuilding the old motorhome on this trip. First was the transmission. Today, we added a new distributor cap and rotor. Much less expensive than a transmission. Anyway, the engine is purring smoothly once again and the transmission is shifting as it should. We got lucky again with a competent and honest truck mechanic that diagnosed our problem starting with the simple things (spark plug wires, etc) and then the distributor. He didn't even try to sell us a new distributor! I'm still tired of meeting the mechanics on our journey but it seems to be inevitible these days, even for those with much newer rigs than ours.

We enjoyed our visit to San Simeon and Cambria. Saw the Hearst Castle (from a distance) and some more beautiful beaches and cliffs. We stopped at the Elephant Seal Viewing at Piedras Blancas where the elephant seals come to rest and procreate. They keep the beach pretty busy with a diversified schedule.

Sept-Oct is the time for the young-of-the-year and juveniles to haul out to rest.

November is when the subadults males haul out. Mature males begin arriving at the end of the month.

December - The bulls continue to return. Females arrive. The first birth is usually mid-month.

January - Females continue to arrive. Peak of births usually last half of month.

February - Births continue. the peak of the mating is around Valentines Day. More females leave.

March - Last adults leave. Weaned pups teach themselves to swim.

April - Females and juveniles return to molt.

May - Females and juveniles molt.

June - Subadult males molt.

August - Last of males molt

Then, it start all over again.

When you first see them on the beach, it looks like a lot of driftwood laying around... until they move.

We are now in a county park in Lompoc, CA, just south of Vandenberg AFB. Tomorrow we journey Eastward which means we will avoid LA and miss seeing family in the San Diego Area.

We are getting a little travel weary of spending 1,2 or 3 nights in different places and are looking forward to being able to stay put for a week or 2 or 3 or 4 at a time. So, it's onward to Arizona where there are no beaches.

This trip has very pleasantly provided beautiful weather with the exception of 3 days of rain in Redding which was really quite enjoyable, however. Otherwise, it has been splendid. While most here are wishing for rain (it's very much needed) it has been great for traveling. The reservoirs are all very depleted and boating activity has been greatly restricted.

We've seen lots of wine country, strawberry, lettuce, cabbage, artichoke and other farms that are struggling with the reduced water supplies. While they need the water, we have enjoyed what we have had.