Unmasking

 As of June 15th, California history has been made. After fifteen months of sheltering in place and safety guidelines, the restrictions have been lifted. For those who are fully vaccinated, that means we can be in public spaces without a mask, if we feel safe. 

Californians are very happy, we have no more... tiers. 😂

So let’s look back on the last year of all my fancy face coverings. 

This pastel and bright tie dyed was one of my favorites, as it coordinated with so many of my outfits. 

This bear face was my first store bought one. 

This rainbow was handmade, back when fabric was harder to come by. 

I love the froggies on this one. It’s great for spring. 

This was a great Valentine’s Day mask, but also perfect for wearing red, or when I want to show love. 

This was another one of my early ones, very pretty and great for summer. I love the bear silhouettes. 

This Christmas one is so festive! 

Mr Duffy has this checkered one and it seems to be his favorite. 

This was the last one I purchased, it has a lot of cute flowers on it. 

While I can be out without a mask, I will carry one with me, in case someone requests that I put it on, or if I am around a lot of people. For summer, I’ll mostly be without one. But I think I’ll wear masks during cold and flu season. I don’t like those sneezes and coughs!

Main Street, Cambria

 Today was our last day of this trip. We went back to Sandy's because we really liked their pastries and coffee. I wanted to snap some pics before getting on Highway 1 and heading home.

This is the Legion Hall.

There is some great artwork here. I love how it looks like a bulletin board filled with pinback buttons.

This is the old Cambria jail. It was locked up, so we couldn't peek inside. It just looks like an outhouse. There might not have been that many people in town when the jail was in use. There aren't even that many people there now.

This anchor was near the jail, next to the old lighthouse lens.

This is the old light from the Piedras Blancas Light House.

This is the closes I have ever been to a light house lamp. That is another thing on my bucket list, to visit inside a light house and climb up to the lamp>

There was this great art piece on the fence. It looks like rainbow wings, and you can pose in front of it.

Yay, fly away!

This vacation was luxurious and amazing. We had some fantastically delicious clam chowder (and other food), got a ridiculous amount of salt water taffy, some otters playing in the water, enjoyed the beach, did some shopping, soaked in the big jet bath tub, and drank good wine. It was so special, I would love to do more! But that is what makes it extra special. And I had the best company I could ask for. Back to reality, and I can plan for the next vacation!

Olallieberries

In researching things to do in Cambria, Linn’s Restaurant came up as a must try. They’re known for chicken pot pies and olallieberry treats. 

Once you’re seated, they bring warm bread, butter, and olallieberry jam. It’s a special breed of raspberry, blended into a spread. 

I ordered the veggie pot pie, but unfortunately, they were sold out for the day. So I ordered the chicken. It had sautéed veggies and mashed potatoes on the side, with an herb gravy. 

They also have olallieberry lemonade. Dee-licious!

And like all other eateries, I had a bowl of clam chowder. 

Dinner was so filling and I overdid it. I had to walk several laps outside in the cold air to feel better. I was too stuffed to try their olallieberry pie. Next time!

 

Burritos, Candy, and a Beautiful Day

It took maybe half an hour to get to San Luis Obispo. It was a beautiful drive with a lot of coastal views. The weather was comfortably warm.
It was lunch time and we looked at the list of local eateries. We settled on burritos.

This taqueria was in the downtown square where there are other restaurants and shops, notably Barnes & Noble.

They had fun decorations and props inside.

We grabbed a table outside under the umbrella. We were ready to eat our giant burrito, and the side of chips and guacamole we ordered.

The burrito was enormous and that is exactly how I like them. It was carne asada with the works.

Mmm, getting some giant bites.

After our lunch, I wanted to show Mr Duffy something that you wouldn't believe unless you saw it in person. I did come here many years ago, and was pleased to see it was still there.

The place where, when there is not a global pandemic, is already quite frightening with the thought of all the germs swimming around you.

It's Bubblegum Alley! The place where, if you are chewing gum and ready to get rid of it, you just stick it to the wall. It is a very bizarre attraction.

Some of the businesses along the street sell gum so you can add your own contribution.

We're keeping our masks on here!

After seeing all that ABC gum stuck to the wall, wouldn't you crave a delicious chewy piece of gum yourself? Good thing there is a candy store close by.

We went to Rocket Fizz, which has just about any candy you can think of, and in so many flavors. They even had pizza flavored cotton candy.

Not only are they known for candy, but also a large collection of artistic ton signs and the most unique and strange sodas you could ever find.

They had bib lollipops, and something I don't ever remember seeing before - square lollipops!

There is some of that gum you can chew and stick.

Not sure if these rocks were edible... so I didn't try.

But look at this enormous gummy bear!

Here are some of the sodas. You have to see them to believe them.

Any flavor you want - actually any - they have. Corn on the cob, chili mango, turkey dinner, just anything. Thanks, I'll stick to Diet Dr Pepper.

Whee!

After picking up just a few things in the candy shop, we had a break at Doc Burnstein's Ice Cream Lab.

I got a coffee flavor where the ice cream itself was coffee flavored, and not just vanilla with coffee, and many places sell. And this had sweet coffee sauce ribbons and chips, giving it an interesting texture.

Mr Duffy had a tangerine chocolate chip, I think. At least that is what I remember. He can tell me if it was something different.

 So it was such a fabulous day, nice weather, delicious food, great company, and just a treat. It really felt like vacation, and not just like an ordinary day in another town. I do love San Luis Obispo, and hope to visit again very soon.