Wanderlust

By definition wanderlust is a strong desire for or impulse to wander or travel and explore the world. Hmm....sound like me?!? The more I travel the more I want to travel. I am itching to go somewhere exotic...warm water, good waves, delicious food. But time is money and I lack the two so I decide it's time for a road trip. Road trips are simple right?!? Vehicle. Road. Go.

So here it goes....

Traveling along the coast of California with no real plans and no final destination I find I am completely and utterly at peace. I am happy, content. Cliffs, the ocean, redwood forests, fog and rolling hills all rolled into one. A little surf, some camping, quality time with my amazing husband, endless opportunities to take pictures...sounds perfect right?!? We end up in Santa Cruz stopping many times along the way. 4 days, 1100+ miles...Here are some pictures from my journey.......

Morro Bay
A small fishing village located in San Luis Obispo. Hoping for some waves, but settling for a picture of the big rock.

The Redwoods.....
Amazingly beautiful and TALL...Redwoods grow in a very narrow strip along the coast of California. The strip is about 500 miles long and about 20-30 miles wide. The area has frequent thick summer fog, moderate year-round temperature, and considerable winter rainfall. Redwoods can grow up to 350 feet and live for up to 2000 years. Impressive right?!? Lucky enough to get a camping spot in Big Sur we were able to camp amongst these beautiful trees. 

Big Sur
This area includes approximately 90 miles of coastline and offers some of the most breathtaking views I have ever seen.

McWay Falls

Located in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park this 80 foot waterfall flows year-round.

Pfieffer State Beach
A two mile hike from the road to get to this beach. Easy on the downhill, but straight hills on the way up. For $5 you can park in the lot down by the beach.

Bixby Bridge
Historically important because it introduced automobile travel to Big Sur.

 

Santa Cruz

Steamer Lane

RESPECT THE LOCALS!!! Santa Cruz surfers are no joke. The "lane" is by far the most famous surf spot in all of Santa Cruz. Apparently it is the most dangerous spot to surf in Santa Cruz and people actually die out there on a semi- annual basis. Glad I'm reading this now...
My strategy...
Wait on the inside section. Be vigilant. Wait for the bailout or the dude ripping it to fall off. Paddle hard. Ignore ominous cliffs that stand two feet in front of you. Work your ass off. Try not to piss off the local chick that is paddling directly at you on every wave. Don't trip when a seal puts her/his face on your board. Don't be disappointed by wave count.

The road is long and in the end the journey is the destination....