It's never too late to post this kind of trip. I have been to many of the places you have visited, but not for decades. I was not aware you could get on the military base. The Carrizo Plain is an erie place. I always expect 'the big one' whenever I'm there. That's not a bad thing since your domicile is on wheels, and nothing is going to fall on you, but having lived close to and through 3 major earthquakes in the L.A. area it always gives pause. (Sylmar/1971, Whittier/1987?, Northridge/1990's.) It's nice to see things are about the same, except a little drier. My thought is what a distance it is from the coastal SLO area to Jawbone Cyn. That's an ALL day trip on a good day on winding roads.
Thanks for the report. I hope you recover enough to make more trips and tell us about them. Your perspective is unique on the TC forum.
jefe
