Coastal Fragrance

by Roe Yeager

The Central Coast offers a huge variety of smells to entice the visitors and locals to stop and look for what is creating the aroma wafting their way. While there are many things here that are located in many other places, this area provides a few surprises.

Most of us are familiar with the fragrant Eucalyptus trees that are plentiful here in Morro Bay. And with as many varieties , there is an abundance of buttons and flowers and smells that bring your attention to these beautiful trees. It is quite a sight when they flower, and everyone needs to walk carefully when the trees drop their seed pods (buttons) to avoid stepping on one and twisting an ankle. These flowering trees constantly seem to be dropping or dripping something all year long. I suspect that is what makes them so interesting.

It is a delight to wander the streets of Morro Bay and suddenly be stopped in your tracks by the lovely smell of jasmine. As the smell may have caught your attention, one can't help but look for the graceful vine with its clusters of white/pink flowers. And then one is drawn closer to inhale the sweet fragrance, drawing it into the nose filling your being. This seems to be such a happy flower and uplifts those passing by. There is a complete study of aromatherapy from natures gifts that is most interesting to explore. Eucalyptus and jasmine are just two of a host of others.

However, walking down to the harbor in Morro Bay one can be greeted by what only Morro Bay offers. Smells of the clean ocean air, the smells of fish being off loaded from a fishing vessel, smells of a restaurant professionally preparing a fish delicacy, and the collected smells of all of the local wildlife and the environment. Some days this can be a bit overwhelming and strong. Other days it can make you feel as though you are a sea fairer as well. Closing your eyes you may feel the salt spray of the waves on your face and you imagine yourself high on the mast in search of your bounty.

Coming back to reality, your attention may be disrupted by the tantalizing aromas from the French bakery or the taffy made at the little candy shop. Whatever you think you may experience here, give yourself permission to keep your nose on alert for some unexpected treasure that grabs your attention and drags you off to investigate its source.