This Weekend: A Giants game and Big Sur
This weekend was a good one, full of California things. We went to our first Giants game on Friday evening, and witnessed a grand slam as they went on to beat the Marlins, 6-0. Early Saturday, we headed south to Big Sur for hiking, camping, and taking in the stunning coastline.
Once we made it to Big Sur, we stopped at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and hiked the Buzzard's Roost trail, somewhere between a 3 and 5 mile hike with about 800' of elevation gain (the internet seems divided on the exact details of the trail). It was a great hike that looped along a creek, through redwoods and coastal scrub, then deposits you at the top of a mountain with ocean views (and cell phone reception). As we hiked, we noticed many signs of the December 2013 fire that left trees charred and spawned an abundance of growth. The contrast between deep black and vibrant green was beautiful.
Left side, untouched by fire. Right side, blackened trunks. Some trees exhibited partial burning, either only scarred at the base, or on one face of the trunk.
Once at the top, the trees cleared to make way for the ocean view, which hid behind the fog for us. The day was overcast but still beautiful.
The best hiking partners a girl could ask for.
Black and green!
After our hike, we drove farther south to our campsite, Plaskett Creek. Lina navigated.
We made several stops along the way, taking in the scenery and catching site of both whales and dolphins make their migrating north. Unfortunately no photos, but it was such a treat to see them, and in certain coves, at such a close distance to shore. After settling into our campsite, we walked across HWY1 to Sand Dollar Beach.
We spotted the dolphins in this area, swimming through the much lighter part of the ocean.
Sand Dollar Beach
On Sunday, we started our day with a delicious camp breakfast (leftover beans on toast with soft boiled egg), packed everything up, and headed north. We stopped first at McWay Falls; despite it being the number #1 touristy thing to do, it is so alluring I can't stay away!
Continuing north, we stopped at the Bixby Creek Bridge and then at Garrapata Beach (using the entrance marked #18, across from the ranch), a hardly marked path that leads down to the beach. It is where we first spotted whales on our drive into Big Sur, and we were lucky enough to spot a few more on our way out. It was a great trip — the complete lack of cell phone reception is so refreshing. I'm hoping I can take a cue from ignoring my phone for a weekend, and do a better job of being present always.
The sun had broken through the fog by the time we made it to the beach, and it was like going from monochrome to technicolor. Everything was so vivid!
Master whale watcher, on the lookout.
The path down to the beach snaked through a small valley with wild lilies everywhere.
Bonus Lina, bundled up and ready for bed (not). More like, annoyed at the prospect of not having multiple beds to choose from at any given point in her life.
