My initial run through the Cloud 9 drive-thru was a complete accident, sort of. Since I began commuting to San Luis Obispo for work a year ago, I’ve made the Starbucks by my house a regular stop on my way to work (no, not every single day – but just often enough that they know my “regular” drink – a quadruple shot of espresso with nonfat steamed milk and sugar-free vanilla syrup). In the past few months, however, I started running later and later, and Starbucks started to become slower and slower, with longer lines piled up in the drive-thru. Anyone who knows anything about me probably knows at least these two things … I’m impatient, and I don’t wait in lines. So one day, a few short weeks ago, I said screw it. I’m willing to give up my sure thing at Starbucks and try something different – so I swung through the Cloud 9 drive-thru right before getting on the freeway before work. So, I just have to say that the little drive-thru coffee *stop* off Goldenhill Road, right before Union Road, in Paso Robles turned out to be the absolute BEST! Not only is the coffee exquisite, but the two lovely ladies who are so cheery first thing in the morning deserve accolades for being just that. For being the only two manning the espresso machine, they were fast, efficient, made me a “custom” order (quadruple shot of espresso with mocha, sugar-free carmel syrup and nonfat steamed milk) and served it up with a brilliant smile and an equally bright attitude. To me, first thing in the morning, attitude is everything. I’ve hit up Cloud 9 for java now 5 times for my daily fix in the past 2 weeks. Last week, I ran into the awkward experience of having no cash, and not being able to find where I put my debit card last. And would you believe, after telling them I’d have to pass for the day, they offered to float me for the day, and I could just pay them later. Okay … wow. Like, does that happen anymore? I think not. Thankfully, I located my debit card right as they had my “usual” ready to go, so I didn’t have to take them up on their charitable offer. But still, things like that don’t go unnoticed. I’ll be a loyal customer now. Today, I ventured away from my normal drink and went for the whole shebang - a pumpkin spice latte. I loooooove pumpkin! And considering the mess of a social life I get to ponder in my 30-minute commute every day to work, my first stop and pumpkin spice latte put me in the most fabulous mood ever. Thanks, ladies at Cloud 9!

good coffee, very personal and good at taking custom orders!