Stop One: We drove up through L.A. stopping only once because I have seen that city far too many times in my life. We had to stop at Philippe for the world's best french dip sandwiches of course! We drove through Santa Barbara stopping to walk through State Street and headed into Gavaiota Beach campgrounds for the night. We wanted to stay at Jalama, campsites right on the sand with a gorgeous view of Point Conception 15 miles west of PCH, furthermost point of CAlifornia, the very place the Indians believed where life began. We've stayed at Jalama before but if you don't arrive before noon, campsites fill up far too fast.
Stop Two: We left Gaviota early to drive up the coast to Big Sur. On the way there we stopped at Pismo Beach to do a little shopping. We had all the time in the world and the freedom to stop and go as we saw fit. Next we took a turn into Morro Bay. The sight of the old fishing community and ships along the dock amid the rolling fog was so serene we couldn't pass it up. We found the best fish and chips I've ever tasted on the pier. They were so fresh and mouthwatering I could've eaten ahundred of them! And, of course, a little more shopping. :)
Big Sur was a little further than we had though, especially since we decided to drive up coast highway, curving along the high cliffs and stoppping every so often to take some scenic photos. I have never been up the coast and the cliffs overlooking the Pacific was breathetaking, the kind of views I've only seen in calendars, so blue and calming, so high up we were surrounded by the clouds. It made me shed a few tears. Finally, by late evening, we arrived at our campground in Big Sur.
Stop Three: We decided to stay in Big Sur for a couple of days; there was so much beauty to enjoy. Our campsite was wondefully secluded amidst the tall redwood trees where bluejays taunted us day and night, hopping around so that I couldn't take a proper photo of one. We took a small hike through Julia Pfeiffer State Park and marveled and the views of the watefall and old ruins of Waterfall House, the residence of Lathrop and Helen Hooper Brown.
The fires a month earlier had charred much of the trails in Big Sur, and we were disappointed to see that many trails were closed off. However, being the adventurous outdoorsmen my boyfriend and I are, we found a gated, abandoned trail that lead all the way don the cliffs and into the water-crashing rocks below and hopped over the warning signs to be the only two people playing in the surf.
We found a local restaurant, The Nepenth, built on the tip of Big Sur's highest cliff with a balcony view that allowed you to eat your dinner underneath the full moon that lit up the ocean crashing into 50-foot boulders. This, we decided, would be the sight of our wedding reception. Relectantly, we had to pack up after a couple of days and move on.
Stop Four: Driving farther up the coast, we were forced to pull over to take more photos every so often.
We also took a little detour through Carmel and were pleasantly surprised to make it into town in time for their local car show, classics and new luxury vehicles I thought I would never be able to touch in my life. We also found an old Catholic Mission that was still offering mass on Sundays, picturesque and romantic. We were so touched we decided to be married at this very mission.
No time to waste, we headed into Monterey Bay to visit the animals at the Aquarium. The sight of the sea otters and penguins and fishes really brought a smile to my face. I almost felt like a kid again. At the end of the night, we lay our heads down in the Bay Area.
Stop Five: We stayed at Mike's friends apartment for a few days. Berkeley is Mike's alma mater so we stayed in the Bay for a while in order to visit old friends and take a proper tour around Berkeley and San Francisco. We roamed around Haight/Ashbury and ate an amazing Cuban restaurant that had the best Sangria's I've ever tasted. I was very impressed, and I'm a bartender. The food and wine made up for the overcrowded tables though the atmosphere made for a lively evening. The next day we visited Berkeley and shopped the street vendors and local shops and pubs. There was an underground Reggae club that really did impress me, though I was exhausted from the days' excursions. Driving into SF, we parked and walked through what was known as "The Tenderloin," basicly SF's version of skid row. I was terrified and had no idea what we were doing there. Suddenly, we knocked on a hidden, unmarked door on the corner Jones and Ofarrel and were asked the password. Surprisingly, Mike new it. We were taken in through the restaurant to a bookshelf. The guide pressed a secret button that opened the bookshelf into a library once used as a Speakeasy during the prohibition days still in use as a secret bar. Amazing! I felt like a hipster in the Great Gatsby days. It was hard to say goodbye to the Bay Area.
Stop Six: We were trying to make it to The American River by nightfall but it was much further than we had anticipated. Luckily, we found a campground in Sacramento with the coziest log cabins and crashed for the night. Very early the nexy morning, we had our first rafting experience. It was the funest time. Water fights, falling off the raft, swimming along the current; an all day experience. I loved it! Although my arms were extremely soar all night.
Stop Seven: We decided to end our trip with a few days in Yosemite. We toured on our own at first, visiting Sutter's Mill and Mono Lake and into the Valley.
Then we took a twilight tour to take in the wonders of deer and Half Dome and El Capitan.
We did a lot of relaxing and short trails to wind down from the whirlwind that was our vacation. And on the way home we had to stop by Mammoth for a little two-hour horsback ride and to visit Mike's uncle.
We finally arrived home, after 11 long days. Back to work and all our responsibilities. But the experience of enjoying your own backyard will live in our hearts forever.
