The Big Sur

Over the past few weeks we have just had the greatest of times driving through the spectacular scenery of America. You just have to remember to not look too much at the scenery while your driving because you don't want to become a part of it! The dramatic landscapes and open roads have made driving an absolute pleasure and The Big Sur has been a greaat finale to our American tour.

We have driven US Highway 1 down the country's entire west coast from Oregon to California. The Big Sur follows US highway 1 along the rugged Pacific coastline from Carmel-by-the-Sea to San Simeon, 90 miles of breathtaking coastline.

To complete the ultimate driving experience we bought a gadget that plugs into the radio and the MP3 player so we've had our favourite sounds blasting through the speakers on volume number 11. The only down side to this of course is that I have also had the sweet tones of Darcy blasting in my ears, and those that know her know this is not always pleasant, as her Grandad once said, "Girl, you sing like a nightingpig"! Well there's always a price to pay....

The first photo is a classic Big Sur shot showing the famous Bixby Bridge which spans high above a plunging canyon, backdropped by the Santa Lucia Mountains. There's often an early morning sea fog hanging around the cliffs, we were lucky and clear blue skies shone through!

We decided to take a couple of days over the trip and took photos the whole way along. We stayed at a couple of great campsites just about on the beachfront although they were quite windy and any sunbathing was accompanied by a 'body sand blast'!

The second and third photos are taken in Monterey where there's a really nice sandy beach and harbour, (there's also a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory - which took a right plundering - they make the best Chocolate brownie's ever!) from there the highway goes straight to Carmel.
A mans work is never done (photo 8) and as usual each evening I am expected to knock up gourmet delights with a very make shift kitchen, that particular delight was ya meatballs in tomato sauce!

Photo 11 was taken at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. The picture perfect cove is graced by the McWay waterfall although this all has to be admired from afar as there is no beach access!

The final stretch of the journey is home to California's largest elephant seal colony. Big buggers just lying around doing nowt (bit like work really), making noises like whoopee cushions!

Click on this picture and check out the waterfall - it's a beautiful spot.