What drives folks to move to the Central Coast? The slower, but active lifestyle? The Mediterranean climate? The ease of making friends in a smaller community where one can make an impact by just getting involved? Living near the beach for many means living in paradise, so what would make one trade it away?

Rick and Claire Grantham say they will miss Morro Bay, but they have decided to exchange one paradise for another – Paulsbo, Washington. “We found a little piece of heaven,” said Rick as he pulled out the pictures of their new dream home. He was particularly impressed with the mini-theater room perfect for watching movies with the grandkids. Indeed, being closer to their son, Greg, and daughter, Jennie, was the motivator to plan a move in January. While their current view is the Pacific Ocean, he concluded, “Our view will be the Hood Canal.” He pointed to a picture he caught of submarines sailing by with a Navy escort.

Not this submarine which is actually featured in the new interpretive center for the Morro Bay Maritime Museum, but Rick spied an escort!!

Recovering from a second back surgery, Claire explained since she retired in 2015 they’ve had wonderful times traveling to various places in the United States in their motorhome, but this past year was tough. They lost close family members and had personal health issues. “During one of our visits with son Greg, he pulled me aside and said, ‘Mom, I’ll always take care of you.’ That’s when Rick and I got serious and realized we wanted to live closer to children and grandchildren.” They have another son in Oceanside, but knew they could enjoy motorhome visits south to Morro Bay, Oceanside and, of course, occasional — maybe even regular — L.A. Rams games.

Rick in his RAM Room. He’s been attending and saving RAM collectibles since the team began. When they returned to LA he was first to purchase season

In 1992 the Granthams were newlyweds when Rick accepted a Senior Medical Tech position at the California Men’s Colony (CMC). They were relocated from Southern California to San Luis Obispo. Claire was hired as Nursing Director for a new rehabilitation unit at Sierra Vista where she ultimately would lead the hospital’s Infectious Prevention program for seventeen years. Rick would enjoy volunteerism and community service after he retired from CMC in 1995.

When they settled into Morro Bay, they didn’t know a soul, but by getting involved each have made lifelong friends. And since they’ve done it once before, getting involved in Paulsbo community life is their plan. They know their kids are excited they are moving closer, but also know they will be busy with their own lives.

Claire says the friends she’ll miss are like a patchwork quilt coming from a variety of activities they have been involved in. She served on the SLO County Community Health Commission and Emergency Medical Corps, but it was a quilting class taught by Becky Rogers at The Cotton Ball that linked her with many of the friends she still enjoys today. “I will miss my friends, warm weather, and the only home we’ve shared as a couple,” she said. “But we still have our water view and a mountain view of Mount Olympus.”

Greg was a Sophomore at Morro Bay High School when they first moved. He played several sports so they volunteered to work shifts at the snack-bar where they met a different set of friends. Although they actively participated together forming the Morro Bay Police Volunteers, Rick credits Claire for most of the organizing especially when former Chief Joe Loven retired and dubbed the Granthams as the new leaders for the annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner. They built a crew that cooked and served the dinner – some joining them annually for the fourteen years they chaired the event with annual support from Carla Wixom.

They would open their home for events like Caroling Cops and several Morro Bay Rotary functions. Rick was president of Morro Bay Rotary 2002-2003, but always remained active and intends to join a club in Washington. They also shared interests in San Luis Obispo County Veterans Outreach and Combat Services – he as a Vietnam Veteran and she from her healthcare interests.

Claire loved her job at Sierra Vista. It allowed her to get out into the community giving flu shots and providing information about preventable diseases. But she also became a sought-after friend, a medical advocate, for many as issues that would trigger questions and hospital visits.

Rick stated his “biggest honor” was serving on the Morro Bay City Council. “I would check in every day with every department and developed great relationships.” He was proud the Harbor Walk and the Morro Bay Blvd. Traffic Circle were completed during his two terms.

And not only because Washington is where his kids grew up, but Rick also recalls his first exposure to Washington was in Kingston, which is nearby Paulsbo. He was stationed there as a military medic. “It was a small town with only about 100 in our unit. In a way, it feels like we are moving back home.”

Thanks, Rick and Claire, for your military, law enforcement, government, community and career nursing services. Morro Bay will miss you, too.