On the Road with Geno

From Hwy 1 near Morro Bay, there are several dead-end roads that meander east from the ocean into the coastal mountains. Isolated cattle ranches and farms are found along these roads. Two of the roads follow Morro and Toro Creeks. The scenery in the spring is bucolic with colorful wildflowers lining the roadways as they wind up the narrow valleys.

When I’m in the mood for an easy, quiet ride away from bustling Hwy 1, I venture off on these pastoral backroads. These are some photos I took yesterday on Morro and Toro.

Free-range cows on Morro Creek Road

Mustard grass bursting forth. Cerro Alto mountain range in the distance.

One of several rustic cattle ranches

Poppies and African daisy escapees line Toro Creek Road

Wind-blown cypress trees

Where Toro Creek Road meets Hwy 1

Yesterday, while we were walking past the Coast Guard pier, we saw something quite remarkable. Two divers had just hauled out a monster-size spider (AKA snow) crab. These get to be as large as 2 feet across and weigh up to 5 lbs. This one came pretty close to that. Wonder what other monsters lurk out in the Bay?