The Madonna Inn, Cayucos, and the Central California Coast

30 May 2013 Leave a comment

by Sheila Clapkin in Sightseeing In California

IMG_0080

On the Way to Cayucos you can stop at the very famous Madonna Inn for dinner and dancing. Hurry and experience this passing phenomenon. There are fewer and fewer of these events left and as the years, the musicians and participants pass, they may soon be non-existent.  It is so much fun to dance as well as watch some of the experts. The food is good and plentiful.

IMG_0077

When the eating and dancing part of the evening was over and we continued on to our digs at the Pier View Suites in Cayucos. Our suites had lovely views of the Central Coast of California and within view was the lovely and famous Cayucos Pier. The Pier View Plaza has facilities to satisfy all of your needs, plus two wonderful antique stores flank the plaza.  Don’t miss a treat at the Cookie Factory and visit the Candy and Ice Cream store. The soup on the pier is wonderful.

There was the annual Flea Market going on at the end of the road. Oh heavenly days, I do love a flea market where you can peruse and own goodies of the past and present to your hearts content. You can finally find and buy what you have always desired, plus own something you never thought of in your life. That’s the fun.

Since Cayucos is between San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay and further north Cambria and San Simeon, you have a lot of sight seeing choices with your main base Cayucos in the middle. Don’t ask me about the food in Cayucos because I don’t really don’t know how to answer that, but I will tell you, at one restaurant in particular, several of us asked for an extra empty plate which they were only too happy to bring, to the tune of $1.50 per plate. It IS on the menu in teeny tiny print that you will be charged for an extra (empty) plate. I should not reveal the name of the restaurant, but it is called by my father’s name.

I highly recommend you explore the Central Coast of California. The weather is mild, the sunsets are legendary, birds dive straight down into the sea to dine, people are friendly, the scenery is breath taking as it shows off the most majestic coastline in the world. California’s Central Coast has developed into a world-class wine tasting region, and you will see that there is a hope for our future that resides in these environs.

cayucos-img10

Brandeis Day Trippers at Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Store

16 May 2013 4 Comments

by Sheila Clapkin in Adventures in Tarzana, Reflections Tags: , , ,

IMG_0057

Thirty ladies from the Day Trippers Study Group converged on Auntie Anne’s Pretzel store in Northridge, California, to become Honorary Pretzel Rollers where we gained expertise in the ability in hand rolling and twisting a pretzel. There are Auntie Anne’s throughout the world, so be on the lookout and you, too can become an Honorary Pretzel Roller, or if you don’t have time for the field trip, you can become an Honorary Pretzel eater. They are delicious.

IMG_0051

How Pretzels came down through the ages: Monks, in order to reward children who learned their prayers invented pretzels as a little reward. The strips of dough were folded to resemble arms crossing the chest in prayer, and baked into soft bread.  One day the keeper of the bakery fell asleep, left the pretzels baking too long and dried out the pretzels.  The head baker chastised the napping baker, but through his nap, the crispy pretzel was invented.

IMG_0053

An anti-bacterial soap was used to wash our hands and then they were held under a black light. My, my how we left residue on our hands even though we washed and washed them. Gloves were also used as protection. Prizes were given for the best pretzel, (Cindi) and the cleanest hands, (Susie). Our own individual pretzel was baked, plus bagged along with an Honorary Pretzel Roller pin and coupons for our next visit.  We will never pass an Auntie Anne’s without our lovely memories of learning and sharing.

IMG_0055

After this fun filled kid based field trip, where everyone had such a good time, I began to wonder why some of us past childhood do not go into the past and re-capture fun for kids.  I would love to relive riding on a pony and bouncing with my heart in my mouth and my hands clasped in a death hold on the saddle knob.  Why not go to a petting zoo and be the one to pet instead of the one who now watches the little one who pets?  How about going to the tide pools and watching the activity there. Be sure to bring a sun hat. I would like to go back to the Gene Autry Museum and the zoo. Want to build a project with Lego’s? Let’s just have a Play Date, a picnic, pitch pennies, play a board game, take a dance class, or how about visiting the fire station, police station or the post office as a first time field trip, no letters to be mailed in hand. How long has it been since you collected fall leaves, played marbles or hide and seek, had a water fight, planted something, or gone on a hayride? Make a kite and fly it, play Frisbee, jump rope, or how about go bowling?  Let me know what your special go back in time things are…