I can't count the number of times I have been to Pismo Beach, it's almost as if I was born there. As just a young kid, I remember camping every year at Pismo Coast Village and playing on the dunes. That evolved to camping on the state beach (Oceano Dunes) with my motorcycles and occasionally bringing my Jet Skis for wave riding.
Pismo is the only beach in California that allows vehicles to drive on the sand. And we have seen that available off-roading and camping space shrink in previous years. So, following my installation of the Mopar Cold Air Intake, I put the kids in the Jeep at 6AM and drove up to Pismo in time for enjoying lunch on the beach.
I thought the kids would be more surprised of our driving right onto the beach, but to them it all seemed normal for some reason. I was excited as all of my previous trips to Pismo were mainly focused on motorcycle riding, but this would be my first run in the dunes with the Jeep.
But before we get there...let's back up and note that traffic in Los Angeles has only gotten worse. My original plan was to take the 405 North to the 10 West and drive the coast North through Malibu and up into Ventura. That plan was altered by stop-and-go traffic, so I quickly jumped onto the 90 West and headed into Venice to take the streets, which was not much better for traffic.
Pismo is the only beach in California that allows vehicles to drive on the sand. And we have seen that available off-roading and camping space shrink in previous years. So, following my installation of the Mopar Cold Air Intake, I put the kids in the Jeep at 6AM and drove up to Pismo in time for enjoying lunch on the beach.
I thought the kids would be more surprised of our driving right onto the beach, but to them it all seemed normal for some reason. I was excited as all of my previous trips to Pismo were mainly focused on motorcycle riding, but this would be my first run in the dunes with the Jeep.
But before we get there...let's back up and note that traffic in Los Angeles has only gotten worse. My original plan was to take the 405 North to the 10 West and drive the coast North through Malibu and up into Ventura. That plan was altered by stop-and-go traffic, so I quickly jumped onto the 90 West and headed into Venice to take the streets, which was not much better for traffic.
Blowing Chunks in Buellton
We eventually made it to the coast and gained momentum as we passed through Malibu. Heading up Rice Road, we jumped onto highway 101 and moved at a good pace until we were coming down the pass toward Buellton.
I looked back and saw my little guy on the verge of a nuclear meltdown. Unable to determine the problem while in motion, I quickly found a safe place to pull off the road, which turned out to be this very cool organic farm. But without getting side-tracked, I pulled my little guy out of the back seat and before I could get him onto solid ground he was blowing chunks.
I looked back and saw my little guy on the verge of a nuclear meltdown. Unable to determine the problem while in motion, I quickly found a safe place to pull off the road, which turned out to be this very cool organic farm. But without getting side-tracked, I pulled my little guy out of the back seat and before I could get him onto solid ground he was blowing chunks.
After emptying his stomach, he passed out in the front drivers seat of the Jeep. Here he is all decked out in his favorite matching Jeep outfit.
After a few minutes passed, I put MotionEaze (great for eliminating motion sickness/nausea) behind his ears and transferred him back into his seat where he continued sleeping. And in some magical way I pledged to smooth out the ride.
After a few minutes passed, I put MotionEaze (great for eliminating motion sickness/nausea) behind his ears and transferred him back into his seat where he continued sleeping. And in some magical way I pledged to smooth out the ride.
Despite some lost time on the side of the road near Buellton, we made it to Pismo Beach by 11:30AM.
We drove to the southern most accessible point on Pismo Beach to set up our blankets for a lunch together. While we enjoyed lunch and played in the sand, it was hard not to notice a particular Black Ford Raptor doing hot laps up and down the beach.
In the meantime, an unsuspecting couple stuck their white Silverado in the sand near the shoreline. It was not long before Mr. I'll Save You came to the rescue with his Raptor. His recovery plan for Mr. and Mrs. Unsuspecting was to pull them forward toward the deeper beach sand, instead of backwards onto the harder packed shoreline. With a quick and heavy foot, the Raptor was sunk into the sand and sitting on its frame.
Fortunately the yellow Silverado showed up to help save the day. At this point all three trucks were strapped together and not working in unison. Mr. Bumble Bee in his yellow Silverado eventually stuck himself in the sand as well. Fortunately Chevrolet does not offer that yellow color any longer.
In the meantime, an unsuspecting couple stuck their white Silverado in the sand near the shoreline. It was not long before Mr. I'll Save You came to the rescue with his Raptor. His recovery plan for Mr. and Mrs. Unsuspecting was to pull them forward toward the deeper beach sand, instead of backwards onto the harder packed shoreline. With a quick and heavy foot, the Raptor was sunk into the sand and sitting on its frame.
Fortunately the yellow Silverado showed up to help save the day. At this point all three trucks were strapped together and not working in unison. Mr. Bumble Bee in his yellow Silverado eventually stuck himself in the sand as well. Fortunately Chevrolet does not offer that yellow color any longer.
A short while later, the Park Ranger arrived to investigate and help coordinate the removal of Mr. Bumble from his sandy situation.
Brilliance finally struck the large crew and they decided to man-push Mr. and Mrs. Unsuspecting back onto the packed shoreline.
Kaelyn sat in the sand and watched in amazement as the event unfolded. She would occasionally ask me why I wouldn't help. My answer was that I was entertained and too busy taking pictures of the event. I think she was enjoying the show as well.
Brilliance finally struck the large crew and they decided to man-push Mr. and Mrs. Unsuspecting back onto the packed shoreline.
Kaelyn sat in the sand and watched in amazement as the event unfolded. She would occasionally ask me why I wouldn't help. My answer was that I was entertained and too busy taking pictures of the event. I think she was enjoying the show as well.
Finally with Mr. and Mrs. Unsuspecting removed from their predicament, it was time to dislodge Mr. I'll Save You.
Alas, enters Mr. Black Smoke in his diesel powered white Ford FX4 to help end this story. However, it was not without help from the Lone Ranger and his shovel that helped to clear a path for the Raptor's removal.
Alas, enters Mr. Black Smoke in his diesel powered white Ford FX4 to help end this story. However, it was not without help from the Lone Ranger and his shovel that helped to clear a path for the Raptor's removal.
The upside? Those trucks left some deep holes to play in!
Of course it was not long after that Mr. and Mrs. Innocent arrived on the scene and stuck their white Sierra down to the frame in the deep sand.
Now that Mr. I'll Save You was no where to be seen and this couple was stuck deep, I felt compelled to help.
The first step was getting their tires aired down for better floatation. Second, hook up the tow strap from hitch to hitch. And third, was putting the Jeep in 4 Low with the front and rear axles locked. I used second gear and popped them right out of their predicament. They were delighted and I felt it was a nice way for the kids to see how we can help other people in need.
Now that Mr. I'll Save You was no where to be seen and this couple was stuck deep, I felt compelled to help.
The first step was getting their tires aired down for better floatation. Second, hook up the tow strap from hitch to hitch. And third, was putting the Jeep in 4 Low with the front and rear axles locked. I used second gear and popped them right out of their predicament. They were delighted and I felt it was a nice way for the kids to see how we can help other people in need.
And of course the kids then decided to have a tug-o-war contest with the Jeep. I think it was a tie game.
Here's Kaelyn saying "The Jeep Can Do Anything". Or is it, "Daddy, can we go get some ice cream now?"
We will definitely look forward to making another trip to Pismo Beach, most likely a camping trip so we can do some more wheeling in the dunes and get more action photos.
After the events on Pismo Beach, we drove up to Morro Bay to spend the remainder of the weekend. We spotted this Wrangler Rubicon Brute conversion on the streets of Morro Bay. Very nice. Would you drive it?
After the events on Pismo Beach, we drove up to Morro Bay to spend the remainder of the weekend. We spotted this Wrangler Rubicon Brute conversion on the streets of Morro Bay. Very nice. Would you drive it?
In addition to having my morning latte at The Rock Espresso Bar (275 Morro Bay Blvd) each day, I happened upon a vegan eatery called Shine Cafe (just up the street from The Rock). Everything is fresh and organic. They also use mostly local farmers for their food. I have eaten vegan before and Shine Cafe makes some of the best tasting food, including green smoothies.
My organic vegan burrito at Shine Cafe. Delicious.
I am looking forward to enjoying more recipes like this on upcoming overland trips.
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