Our first stop in Cambria was at the ExotiScapes Nursery at Moonstone Beach. We arrived just before it opened. There we were joined by Matt, Silvia & young James Diego. We ambled around the long neglected gardens & admired some of the huge specimen succulents. The nursery had an interesting variety of plants & a few were destined to make the trip back to Bakersfield. The Hamlet restaurant was open & we enjoyed splitting among us, some of their famous lemon ice cream with raspberries. Yummm.

We then went to another nursery on Burton drive. They had some cacti & succulents and also several CA native plants for sale. After some strolling around Cambria's east village, we enjoyed lunch. We all went our separate ways for the evening.

In the morning, some group members traveled to the relatively new San Luis Obispo Botanic Garden in El Chorro Regional Park. Members really enjoyed this visit. At least half of the plants were in bloom. Many birds & butterflies were seen. Another trip there might be in the future, as there were some interesting design features we may be able to use in our garden.

Next we all met in the Huasna area of Arroyo Grande for a visit with our longtime members & friends, the Skillin family. We had a delicious lunch & visit. Then we consolidated vehicles for a tour of a neighbor's ghost town, where there were many old buildings salvaged over the years from local coast towns -- a barber shop, photographer's shop, post office. Lots of memorabilia, 2 old fire engines, and countless other interesting attractions among the oak trees. Then we all headed up to their home site & enjoyed a tour. A wonderful home it will be, with lovely vistas & lots of privacy. We also got to meet the Percherons -- Mom, Black Pearl & 2-month old Opal. A beautiful & lively pair they are.

Terry then took us to a friend's place -- a bed & breakfast with much landscaping done in cacti & succulents. One day, there will be some to sell, when Whimsy Farms gets more established. The owner, along with Rob & Terry are trying to revive the Central Coast C&SS. Good luck to them.