Monterrey to San Luis Obispo

First stop today was the unimaginatively named 17 Mile Drive - a 17 mile road loop around a pretty bit of coastline. It's a private road and you pay 10 dollars for the privilege of essentially driving around past the mansions of rich Californians and their golf course. But yes it is pretty and we had a few photo stops.

The most amusing bit of people watching was a group of 4 Chinese who turned up and then two of them whipped off their shirts (and it was distinctly chilly even without the sea breeze) and began an impromptu photo shoot against the background of the Pacific.

The other main feature of the trip was the lonesome pine - a Monterrey pine clinging precariously to a rocky outcrop.

Next up after crossing Bixby and several other concrete bridges with a few photo stops along the way

we stopped at Pfeiffer beach, our first real stop on the Big Sur. It is reached down two miles of twisting road, admirably navigated by my young chauffeur. Unfortunately it was a rather cold and windswept day, but it was a nice beach with purple sand and rock formations that gathered the waves through portals.

You see, purple sand

Following a further drive up the coast we entered the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and took a very short trek to the McWay falls. Now obviously the Big Sur is renowned for being picturesque with countless pretty bays, but this one is top notch as it has a waterfall to boot. But that also made it pretty crowded, especially as it was Memorial Day. And one hates to carp, but I see a waterfall as something that cascades over rocks. This one just shoots out onto the beach like an overflow pipe. However, one has to admit that the view down to the bay is particularly pretty. Sorry, lot of photos of this one. Here goes.

Just one more planned stop and trek, at Limekiln Park. Far fewer people here and a slightly longer trek. The target was another waterfall. The surprising element here was how hard it was to reach. British health & safety would have a fit. The trail crossed and recrosses the river but not via Bridges or stepping stones but over random collections of logs and branches. With his sense of balance Thibault loved it. Me not so much. The waterfall was well worth it. And Thibault even clambered up to part of it. He is 28 going on 12.

This is what we had to cross. Not exactly a bridge

Thibault in his element

Thibault decides to go for a closer look at the waterfall. Note getting me up that collection of loose rocks and twigs.

Made it

Smug

Very pleased with himself

And now really showing off

Action man returns

And now nonchalantly back into jacket

 These are the remnants of the lime-kilns of the area. Quite impressive, lost among the trees now

 The park notices warn you about mountain lions in the area, Unfortunately our brush with wildlife was limited to the squirrels.

After returning from hiking through the forest you can go a short trek the other way and onto the beach.

That was our last planned stop, nut to made Thibault check out the elephant seal colony. This was well worth doing. Huge numbers of seals all over the beach attempting to moult, hence the different colours between sandy brown and a cool grey. Wonderful sight.

We managed to get to our motel in San Luis Obispo at a good time and hit a very posh seafood restaurant. Food was excellent as was the bottle of wine and ports that we washed it down with. Couple of drinks at a local bar to follow and we were well ready for bed. Zzzz