Billy W Shankin’s long big nose

Billy W Shankin’s long big nose

Stretch out beyond his smelly toes

It reached out further to grape-filled vines

And followed down the highway lines

To an ocean wide and deep and finally touched

The Himalayan Mountains’ peak

That’s quite a beak

Billy W Shankin

The Grandy Boys

The Granby boys from Marysville town
Did skip skip the path on down
To visit a girl named Jane Kwon Lee
And together had cookies and tea

Girl in the Picture at the Top of the Stairs

There’s a girl in a picture

At the top of the stairs

She’s standing in the sand

A sunny day at the beach

Hands on hip

Smile on her face

I have to ask

Whose child are you?

Where have you gone?

The sunny day is now far away

Your smile is just a memory

You’re a picture fading on the wall

Bears don’t wear underwear

What would you do if you met a bear

who did not want to wear his underwear

and he said as he stared at your chocolate eclair

“Hey kid, how about you share your chocolate eclair?

I’m just a poor hungry bear who doesn’t like to wear his underwear.”

Just say, “I don’t care if I share this chocolate eclair with you bear,

but please, put on some underwear.”

Candy Cane Lane Bring Down

Tripping down Candy Cane Lane?

Such is the cause of so much pain.

My teeth ache of this it’s plain

Too many sweets is insane.

Think of it as an open-air mall on a waterfront pier. Not that difficult to find as it’s located in the Fisherman’s Wharf district – close to North Beach. Parking is relatively easy and cheap, however, using the city’s fine public trans system is a better way to go.

Be ready to be greeted by plenty of shops tailored to the tourist trade, so if you’re looking for that take home souvenir of your trip, this is the place. There’s also great entertainment and worthwhile dining places.

Enjoy views of one the world’s most outstanding natural bay and harbor. Just across the way is that famous prison island – Alcatraz. For those adventurous spirits, why not take the scenic cruise to this notorious penitentiary?

Who can resist the spectacular display of nature that is Morro Bay? Not me nor my family. We just love the area.

First timers to the bay will immediately spot the famous Morro Rock protruding out beyond the harbor, and if you’ve arrive at sunset time, you’re in for a gorgeous treat. It’s a show stopper. But wait there’s more. Much more.

Besides the sightseeing, which is enough for most of us, Morro Bay offers plenty of shopping for anyone seeking the unusual gift items. Be sure to check out all those funny figurines made with seashells. You’re sure to find these little art wonders at the many shops lining the inner harbor.

Then there is the food; lots and lots of food. And most of it directly from the sea. Like fresh calamari? Consider this, the fleet moored just down along the harbor pier catches these wonderfully delicious ocean creatures every day. How much fresher can that get?

Besides the seafood, this scenic little town features an assortment of restaurants catering to a broad array of tastes and cuisines; from French bakeries to open-pit BBQ. One of our faves was a tiny French pastry just across the street from the pier. We enjoyed breakfast croissants each morning during our stay.

For those who relish outdoors activities, there is so much to do here. Hang out at spacious Morro Strand State beach and engage in surfing, swimming or just plain sunbathing. Rent a kayak and paddle around to harbor. Scope out the area’s plentiful wildlife. We observed a small colony of sea otters taking a snooze, belly up in the water, just a few feet from the shoreline. (The baby otters are so adorable, but please don’t disturb the peace.) Take a hike up the rock, considered the Gibraltar of the Pacific. There’s almost no end to the activities you’ll find that will invigorate both body and mind.

Sightseeing, shopping, recreation and cuisine. Morro Bay generously provides it all!

Travel Hwy 74 as it snakes it’s way up the mountain side through a series of hairpin turns until you reach the settlement of Mountain Center. Follow the sign as it directs you to take Rte 243 north to Idyllwild. Follow this road until you’ve reach the center of town.

We came up here during COVID-19 so much of the town was under various restriction, although quite a few small businesses were open. This is a quaint little, out-of-the-beaten path village that had some nice qualities about it. I enjoyed the town square with the tall trees and park benches.

We drove around a bit and saw a few places of interest, but as we only came for a brief visit we didn’t get that involved with what was going on. My wife and daughter both placed Idyllwild on their lists of visited places they someday will come back to for a more thorough inspection.