Camping in Big Sur & Monterey

Even after all that relaxing Monday, we wanted to take a little vacation within a vacation (and I wanted Erin to fall in love with California). We decided to go camping in Big Sur, CA. Erin wanted to camp in Redwoods, so Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park was the place. On the way north we took a detour in Cambria so I could show Erin "The Wall". A picture looking down the wall is on Flickr. The views along Hwy 1 on the way to the campground were breathtaking. Our campground was in the redwoods as promised. Dinner was a disaster, but hell, camping is fun anyway...

By the time we got going the next morning it was late. It didn't matter though, as we had decided to head to Monterey to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium on Cannery Row. The aquarium is world renowned, and when you're there, you understand why. Sure there are lots of colorful fish, but there's a kelp forest, outer bay tank, and the other big tank that's kinda figure-eight shaped. While I acknowledge that places like aquariums are typically young child oriented, Monterey doesn't have that feel.

After the aquarium, we had Mexican (happy hour) along the water, where I saw this one-legged sea gull. That's gotta be a hard life. We got more wine on the way out of town.

The drive back to Big Sur was beautiful. We got lots more pictures, some which made it onto Flickr. A less ambitious dinner and a good night's sleep.

Thursday morning we got up at our own pace and packed the car. It was nice to camp, but I was ready for some of the familiar amenities. Before we left the State Park, we hiked both the Pfeiffer Falls trail and the Valley View trail. The trees are so incredibly big!!! I took this "tree hugger" picture knowing that Nat and Robby would appreciate the idea of me hugging a tree on the other side of the country. It was another beautiful drive home, though I spent much of it sleeping.

When we got home we immediately showed. Soooo nice to shower. We then walked to downtown for the Farmer's Market. The tri-tip sandwich hit the spot. Vegetarians just don't understand what they're missing. After drinks and make-your-own fro-yo we walked back home. Such good food after a great vacation.

(This was posted to the web on 3-29)