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Published: April 24th 2010
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April 19th Let me just start this entry off stating that Big Sur is stunningly beautiful, my photos really don’t do it justice. The hiking in the area is absolutely great, I can attest to that because that is what my father and I did on the 19th.
We drove about a couple miles up form our campsite to the Big Sur National Park Station, also the starting point for the Big Sur Marathon that my dad ran in last year. From there we jumped on the Pine Ridge Trail, (how fitting right!?) and started our afternoon hike. It wasn’t a terribly difficult hike but since I am out of shape I did get a lot of burn in my legs, oh well all worth it, the views after an hour or so were breath-taking. At one point I suggested we turn around but Dad said “Five more minutes”, and I couldn’t really say no to that, and how glad I didn’t because right around the next corner of the trail was a great view of this really majestic valley and tiny waterfall. I’ll let the pictures do the talking…
After the hike we ate a nice lunch
at the campground and then jumped in the car to head about 15 miles north along the coast. Just when I thought I had seen all natural beauty my eyes could take, there it was again! A light house on a peninsula right along side this amazing looking beach. Shame it wasn’t accessible to the public, some one that owns El Sur Ranch has that priviledge. Fist shake*. Just down the road from the lighthouse and beach was the Bixby bridge and loads more amazing views of the cliffs and coast line of California. Again, breath taking.
After soaking up the western shores of the USA we headed back to the campground to give our eyes and legs a break. We hung around the camp a bit and I decided to head down to the local pub for a beer or two and to see the results and highlights of Aston Villa from a day or two prior. The news was good, we had beaten Portsmouth 1-2, so the day was ending on a perfect note.
I enjoyed a few beers with a couple local mountain men and we talked about my upcoming trip. So many people are
shocked when they hear I am going to Africa, a lot of people ask why and the only response I can come up with is “Why not?”. These guys were no different, but they just thought it was the craziest idea they had ever heard but they loved it. I listened to some of their travel stories and lapped it up; I love hearing old people tell stories. I should have a few by the time I’m 60 years old, hopefully people will enjoy them as much as I enjoyed Lester and John tell me about their journeys around the USA and Europe back in the 60’s and 70’s. Apart from those two guys and me we were the only patrons in the pub, so the owner had to close down a bit early and head to Santa Monica, they wished me well on my trip and I walked back to the tent and got some shuteye, until it started to downpour a couple hours later!
No worries though, cause I can sleep through a hurricane. In the morning I wasn’t the happiest camper (my dad can support this statement!) wet tents and mud aren’t the best to wake
up to, and I was ready to head back to a dry apartment in LA. Dad convinced me to do another night in the wilderness, and I’m glad that the weather was on our side when we headed to the next campsite…this time about 20 miles south of Big Sur, in the Los Padres National Forest.
Hope you like the photos!
Until next time, Pura Vida mi amigos and amigas.
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Julia
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Great Pics
Looks like you are having a blast cousin! Bringing back some great Cali memories! Your sioux falls shirt is great....you should take pics w/ it at different signs and submit them to the Sioux Falls Vistors and Convention Association.