Day Trippers - Hal Thilmony, Chair

Recaps of previous day trips.

2021 Day Trips
2022 Day Trips
2023 Day Trips
2024 Day Trips

September 2025

At the end of September,  27 RAMs and wives attended a guided tour of Etto Pastificio – a family owned pasta factory operating in Paso Robles’ Tin City complex.   Their artisan dry packaged pasta is made from organic durum semolina and pure water using high pressure extrusion with bronze dies, vacuum mixing and an innovative slow drying process.

After the tour the group enjoyed a variety of pastas and other Italian specialities in the near-by Etto Pasta bar.

August 2025

Our trip to the Material Recycling Facility (MRF) included an informative presentation followed by a tour of the facility. Our group of 26 RAM’s and guests were outfitted with safety gear and split into two groups before starting the tour. Once inside the facility we saw firsthand how materials were conveyed, sorted, screened and packaged using a combination of manual labor, magnetic separators and AI controlled robotic equipment.
For safety and privacy reasons we were asked not to take pictures of the operations inside the facility.
After the tour several intrepid participants enjoyed a group lunch at the Rod and Hammer. 
Check this link for more information about the MRF and the end-to-end recycling process:

May 2025

Luffa and Lunch in Nipomo   Two dozen RAM’s and guests learned the ins and outs of Luffa Farming at our May outing. Luffa, a relative of the cucumber, are best grown in hot houses. Through a lengthy and labor-intensive process, they are transformed into soft exfoliating sponges.  Following the tour most of our group enjoyed a leisurely lunch at nearby Beso Cocina. 

April 2025

On April 1st, the Chief Plant Operator of the San Luis Obispo Water Treatment plant provided an informative tour discussing water sources, filtration methods, ozone disinfection process and use of chemicals to satisfy mandated regulatory requirements. The plant has the capacity to provide up to 16 million gallons of fresh water to the city of San Luis Obispo each day. The tour was peppered with lots of Q&A from our inquisitive group.  After the tour several participants gathered at Nucci’s Pizza for lunch. 

January 2025

For the first RAM outing of 2025, twenty RAM’s and spouses visited the Elephant Seal rookery at Piedras Blancas beach.  We were fortunate to enjoy an exceptionally clear and sunny day with lots of activity on the beach. Resting moms, nursing pups, battling bulls and amorous victors.  Docents, including our own Bob Zdenek, provided details on the elephant seal habitat and year around activity.  Lunch followed at Linn’s Restaurant in Cambria.  (Click image to see larger view.)