Exploring Big Sur

In contrast to our lazy day on Wednesday, yesterday was a remarkably busy one as we decided to take our yellow Mustang out on the road (in fairness, I'm not sure where else we would take it) and explore Big Sur.  Effectively, this means driving the 100 miles or so of Highway 1 that stretches along the coast from Bixby Bridge (cool bridge, cool name) down to Piedras Blancas and its very special surprise (surely there should be some Big Sur/Big Sur(prise) gag there?), but more on that later.

First stop after our daily and ridiculous huge breakfast, was Pfeiffer Beach.  Famous for its purple beach (due to the garnets in the sand) and heart-shape rocks we managed to find said heart-shaped rock but alas no garnets of sufficient size to fashion the necklace I had in mind.  Notwithstanding the bright sunshine the wind made the beach (and water) freezing but nevertheless the beach was beautiful with its jagged coastline and dramatic rocks jutting out from the water.  Dotted all over the beach were these little stone structures/sculptures a picture of which I have posted below.  It was the first of many film-set style locations of the day.

After the beach (and the bridge) was a pit-stop for lunch.  Now at this food related juncture I could wax lyrical about Nepenthe where we stopped for afternoon drinks, what with its impressive coastal views and previous owners in the shape of Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth but instead I will tell you about lunch and the greatest invention on earth.  Yes ladies and gents I give you the "50/50." What is this I hear you ask; a very good question.  The 50/50 is a portion of fries - half of which are white potato the other half sweet potato.  Never again will you have to make that awkward of all healthy eating choices - do you go for the white or sweet potato.  Awesome.  The owners of the Big Sur Inn should have a medal, michelin star and be canonised.

After the genius lunch we headed South to Piedras Blancas home of - the seal beach.  Now, this visit involved a one hour drive in a very cold car but to say it was worth it was an understatement.  The clue of the attraction to Piedras Blancas is in the name.  You arrive to a vista point to find a beach literally covered in elephant seals.  The sight is amazing and well worth the visit.  Unfortunately, the pictures of the seals are on a different camera to the one that I can load photos from easily so will have to post a picture later. Satisfied with our very busy day we then headed home to the last of our impressive meals at PRI but more on that later when I inevitably do an all things food related post.

So today is our last day at PRI and to say that I am more than a little sad to go is an understatement.  My posts have not done this place justice and the wi-fi is such that I can't load the pictures needed to remedy the defects in my writing.  However, safe to say that this has been one of the most magical places I have been to and I am very, very glad to have been here.

Next stop is Yosemite (for 3 days) where I suspect wi-fi is poor to non-existent so things may go a little quiet (unless the short posts I have loaded to auto-deliver work) so until next week, AD xxx