It was a spectacular drive from Monterey to San Lois Obispo............
We had a great weekend away with Luke, Beth and Wynne. We headed north in two cars and travelled from Encinitas to San Lois Obispo where we left one of the cars. We continued on in one car to Monterey where we stayed the night, and readied for an early start the next day for the return journey to San Lois Obispo (SLO) along the spectacular Big Sur.
Luke and Beth (did part - the hardest part! Amazing after just having a bub!), along with some friends, enjoyed this stunning coastline road as a training ride - 230k's, Monterey to Montana De Oro State Park, where Luke and Trevor did a run off the bike! They loved it! We were exhausted just thinking about it! Pete and I and Wynne where the support team, following in the car with the nutrition and drinks.
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| Early start for todays adventure - the marine layer (common to the Californian coastline) shrouds the mountains as we leave Monterey Marine layer - Wikipedia, the free |
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| Big Sur here we come! |
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| The marine layer begins to recede and the sun breaks through- beautiful! |
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| As well as the stunning coastline the wildflowers were spectacular! |
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| Lots of picturesque hiking trails are scattered along the coast .:. Hiking in Big Sur .:. |
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| The famous Bixby Bridge peaks around the corner |
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| What an amazing view this house has perched high on the hill |
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| No doubt it has amazing 360 views through all those glass windows! |
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| Bixby Creek Bridge - Wikipedia, the |
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| A quick stop to take in the view and then back on the road! |
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| Awesome! Miles and miles of majestic cliffs, rolling green hills, beaches and coves, colourful wildflowers, green/blue sea, crashing waves and the smouldering marine layer! |
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| Beth and Wynne view the coastline from Windy Hill. What a great first road trip for Wynne! |
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| Andrew Molera Beach or Pfeiffer Beach. "Big Sur beaches are more of a destination of nice trail walks than the usual beach trip. Pfeiffer Beach, with its occasional purple sand, is among a number of places on the Big Sur coast bearing the name of one of the area's pioneering families." |
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| Point Sur Lighthouse, Big Sur |
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| Breakfast stop at the Big Sur Bakery. There was a line up waiting for the bakery to open at 8am - no wonder, the pastries were home made and so delicious! |
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| Lovely gardens, and the birds certainly liked it! |
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| Fantastic view from the Bakery verandah. Los Padres National Forest hugs this section of the Big Sur coastline |
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| Beth and Wynne waiting for the freshly baked pastries |
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| A Bluejay enjoying the nectar |
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| The tiny hummingbirds loved the nectar too! |
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| Refueling! |
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| Beth getting organised to do the next leg of the ride, and Wynne having a cuddle and chat with dad. |
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| Getting Beth's bike organised for the ride to Ragged Point - the hardest stretch of the Big Sur ride because of all the hills |
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| Wynne riding with Nannie and Poppie in the car - an excellent passenger! |
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| I see you! |
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| Eerie but beautiful! The marine layer rolls in from the sea shrouding the shoreline |
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| The riders whizz by! |
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| One of the quirky cafes clinging to the cliffs along the coastline - great views! |
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| There must be houses somewhere but we didn't see them! |
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| Caught up with the boys powering along this stretch of coastline |
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| Getting the size of the cliffs in perspective - the dot on the road to the left of centre is the boys riding |
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| Beth - coming around the corner and heading up the hill |
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| Nearly to the top! |
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| Whizzing down! |
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| Big Creek Bridge |
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| On, and on and on.........magic! |
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| Pitkins Curve Bridge and Rain Rock Shed |
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| Across the bridge and into the tunnel - didn't get hit by any rocks! Pitkins Bridge and Rain Rocks Rock Shed perch atop the shifting scree of greywacke within the narrowest construction jobsite ever visited. Steel netting is draped over the rockface to contain ceaseless falling rocks. |
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| We caught up to Beth on this challenging section of the coast road - great riding Beth! |
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| White rocks, surf and wildflowers |
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| This little fellow popped out of the rocks to say hello |
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| Jade Cove from Gorda Lookout |
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| Lots of motorbike riders enjoying the Big Sur |
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| Sand Dollar Beach from Gorda Lookout |
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| The boys head off from our lunch stop at Ragged Point for the final leg to Montana De Oro State Park RAGGED POINT, CALIFORNIA IN BIG SUR - Ragged Point - a great lunch venue!................ |
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| BBQed ribs and crabs! |
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| Snacks and ice Cream! |
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| A bit of Oz graces the gardens - the Sturt Desert Pea! |
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| Coast lien here does look a bit"ragged" |
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| Lovely walkway and gardens on the point |
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| Interesting art work |
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| Looking south from Ragged Point |
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| Looking north from Ragged Point |
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| Bare beauty! |
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| Great music while lunching |
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| Off we go again.... more beautiful coastline and scenery |
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| Piedras Blancas Light Station, San Simeon "Piedras Blancas" means "white rock" in Spanish First illuminated in 1875. It originally stood 100feet high. |
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| Frolicking! The Piedras Blancas Rookery of Elephant Seals. |
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| The line up! |
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| Smiling! |
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| Arguing! |
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| Morro Bay. The town's most striking feature is Morro Rock, a 576 foot high volcanic plug. Morro Bay, California - Wikipedia, the |
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| Montana De Oro State Park Montaña De Oro - California State Parks |
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| The trail across the top of the bluffs gives an incredible view up and down the coast |
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| They made it from Monterey! Luke and Trevor finishing the ride. Next - a run off the bike on the park trails! |
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| Well deserved meal at the Firestone Grill, San Lois Obispo, after a huge day! Firestone Grill - San Luis Obispo |
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| The recommended house specialty - the Tri-Tip Steak Sandwich A fabulous day of sightseeing and experiences. |
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