Big Sur in July

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My job was simple, she said. My brother was having a birthday, that part he knew. It was the surprise party he was clueless about. I am from Omaha, visiting my brother for his birthday. He and his family live in the Monterey Bay area. To get him out of the house, I ask him to take me sight seeing in the area. Not too far, not too close. We wandered down Highway 1 toward Big Sur. Magnificent!

Once other members of the family found out we were going down the coast, they all glommed on. If they stayed home they would be put to work. We had to take two SUVs!!! So caravan style, we drove down the highway. As we looked out over the ocean, we could see the fog about a mile off the coast. In July, it burns off for a few hours in the middle of the day, but it doesn't go far. Very cool to see for a Omaha girl. 😊

After Big Sur we were thirsty and went in search of adult beverages. There is a fabulous restaurant/bar a couple miles inland near the Ventana Wilderness Area. I wish I could recall the name of the place, but this I remember. There is a stream that runs across the property. We ordered beers and had a "sit down" in lawn chairs placed directly in the stream. We took our shoes off and waded in. Our feet got numb real quick from the cold water, but the beer cured our complaining. If you ever get a chance and can spare two hours, I recommend you kill them here.

After a drive down the coast we still had an hour to kill. I was supposed to bring my brother back at exactly 5:00pm. No mistakes! So we had to take a slight detour through Carmel By the Sea. I have always been fascinated with this little town and its little hobbit houses. A simple two bedroom hobbit house within smelling distance of the bay ( and it does smell) will run you about $6-7 million. Carmel Beach was full of kelp and the fog is always amazing. Remember, it is July, the foggy season and it does not burn off here in Carmel like it does in Big Sur. Many days the fog lasted all day and into the next. Hound of the Baskervilles-ish!

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Photos

California coastline
This photo was taken from the side of the road.

Thirsty for Stella Artois
Stopped off at a place that serves beers in the river. Can't remember the name.

Pacific Ocean
Taken from the cliffside

Very pretty
Even the sky was beautiful and you can see the fog about a mile offshore.

Hobbit House in Carmel
They are cute little houses for millions of dollars.

Carmel Beach in the Fog
The fog stayed in all day.

Carmel home with the interesting roof
Very pretty town, Carmel By the Sea

Hobbit House on the Ocean
Beautiful home in Carmel by the Sea