shark happy avila beach Not the best way to get free publicity, but the recent shark attack put Avila Beach in the news. Also newsworthy is the demolishing and reconstruction of its waterfront. The old buildings are gone, a new street designed and the beach is all cleaned up. Pretty nice improvements for the non-nostalgic crowd. We old timers remember the crude oil gunk on the bottom of our feet, dilapidated storefronts and strange smells. Avila has a 'new do.' Pictures and fond memories will have to suffice for the 'old' one. AVILA BEACH PANORAMA       BOATS AND BREAKERS        PLAYING IN THE SAND Thankfully, the lure of the water's edge hasn't diminished over the years. The poet, Byron, wrote: Thou glorious mirror, where the Almighty's form glasses itself in tempests: in all time, calm or convulsed---in breeze, or gale, or storm, icing the pole, or in the torrid clime dark-heaving;---boundless, endless, and sublime---the image of eternity---the throne of the invisible; even from out thy slime the monsters of the deep are made; each zone obeys thee; thou goest forth, dread, fathomless, alone.                         SHARK WARNING           YOUR TYPICAL TREE HUGGER   saying goodbye to morro bay Our second night in the area presented two highlights. First, we ate at Taco Temple, just off Highway 1 north of Morro Bay. A special spot of Jack and Ginnie's, this little nondescript restaurant hides its great food behind a rather shabby looking face. The prices are pricey, but worth it as you enjoy some real Baja cuisine. Lots of fish items with a Mexican flair. Highlight number two: we went right across the highway to the beach and took some pictures. There's parking for about thirty cars or so, public restrooms, an asphalt trail that meanders through the sand dunes and a deep sand trail straight to the water. Good after dinner exercise.             SAND TRACKS            SLICE OF SUNSET      TRACKS AND ROCK This long beach north of Morro Bay presents great photo ops and beachcombing. Little rocks, shells, flora and fauna fill this narrow strand of dunes and water stands. Also known as Atascadero State Beach, be sure to say hello late afternoon when the colors are warm. Unless it's fog season.                         QUIET REFLECTION         THE LAST HURRAH   Thanks for taking the time to travel with us.       RETURN TO THE PR-USA HOMEPAGE e-mail to: Dave Skinner