23 May-Carmel to Julia Pheiffer Burns SP

We awoke to an absolutely perfect morning and headed off Highway 1, on the scenic route to Carmel, home of the rich and famous, Clint Eastwood amongst others. We walked along the sea front not only admiring the natural beauty but the stylish bungalows that fit so perfectly into the landscape.

The homes are relatively small, built out of rock with timber shingle roofs which blend into the surroundings perfectly. Lorna’s promised herself that if she wins the Lotto she will buy one of these beauties. The road continued south to Point Lobos State Reserve. We walked a number of the trails admiring the cliffs and deep blue sea from above. The park protects one of only two small grove of Monterey Cypress which have been shaped by the weather into beautiful gnarled giants.

The parks main vegetation is Monterey Pine, which is only found in 4 places. We were fortunate to see a group of southern sea otters with their pups floating on their backs amongst the sea grasses. The pups have white heads which they rested on their moms stomachs while floating and warming themselves in the sun. We also saw Harbor seals with their pups on China beach, a short walk from the car park. Large colonies of Brandt’s Comorant nest on the domed rocks just of the shore. We saw American Black Oystercatcher, with its red bill, it could easily be mistaken for our Black Oystercatcher.

Just before Hearst Castle, there is a stretch of beach were literally hundreds of Elephant Seals, like sardines in a can, bask in the sun. The females & sub adults come to shore at this time to moult all their fur.

We made a picnic breakfast of oats, on our new Jetboil, this amazing cooker boils a litre of water in 2 minutes.

Continuing along the Big Sur Coastline to the Julia Pheiffer Burns State Park where we set up our new tent, instructions and all under the towering Redwoods. Lorna would prefer at least a 5 degree increase in temperature. Holding thumbs that our new air mattresses with built in pumps live up to their price tag and we have a good night.

Tonight we have our first home cooked meal, Pasta ala Safeway!