I’m sorry I haven’t been able to upload as much about our road trip as I want to. We are in a lot of places without internet, let alone electricity. To fill you in we started down in Los Angeles this past Saturday and headed north on California Highway One. We’re dedicated to make most of this road trip on that highway.
"vista point" numero uno
first photo of the road trip. off to a good start.
The first couple of nights we were able to stay at my cousins place in Santa Barbara. Unfortunately, her and her roommate were gone down in San Diego for their softball team, but they let us camp in their backyard. I think it was preparation for Big Sur, haha. We were definitely spoiled in their yard- with a hammock, super soft grass, and internet. It was the first time I watched Into The Wild. I know the movie is a few years old but it is one of those movies I missed in the theater and then was waiting for the perfect time to watch it.. clearly this is the perfect time for such a movie. It was a great booster for the beginning of our trip to watch that movie. I keep referencing it in my head.. like when I feel like I can’t boulder a rock or feel too scared to climb something I think of the movie when Chris talks about feelings strong…
“The sea’s only gifts are harsh blows, and occasionally the chance to feel strong. Now I don’t know much about the sea, but I do know that that’s the way it is here. And I also know how important it is in life not necessarily to be strong but to feel strong. To measure yourself at least once. To find yourself at least once in the most ancient of human conditions. Facing the blind death stone alone, with nothing to help you but your hands and your own head.” (Into the Wild)
view from jesusita trail in santa barbara, six hour hike day
I constantly find myself challenging myself to be brave and “feel strong.” We are always climbing off of paths and beyond where everyone else will go and sometimes I will second guess myself, but you can’t do that out here. You can’t feel scared when you are standing on a cliff of loose gravel and nothing to catch you. There was one point when I climbed up a giant boulder (it’s easier to climb up than down) and I thought, I’ll just wait till Wyatt comes back and he’ll help me down. But then I just said, F that, and found the courage to get down. There’s always a way. “If we admit that human life can be ruled by reason, then all possibility of life is destroyed.” (Into the Wild)
After sleeping in the car one night- and watching Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on my iPod, we moved on north. We toured Hearst Castle and have stopped at so many vista points I am losing track of which is my favorite.
big sur camping!
don't feed the animals is SUCH a lame rule.
We made it to Big Sur at Wyatt’s determination. We scooped into a campsite after the ranger had left so we got a love note in the morning telling us to pay, haha. That night.. was out of control. First of all, I was not that scared. Wyatt on the other hand was obsessed with whatever was in the bushes near us stomping around. I went over to borrow lighter fluid from our neighbors down the way and I asked them if it was them in the woods- they said they thought it was us! Sooooo we figured out pretty quick it was some sort of large creature in the woods. I am from Michigan and I can tell what a raccoon is and the noises it makes. This.. was no raccoon. We went to bed and just hoped it would go away. THEN! Wyatt decides to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and I thought I was sooo cool and decided I was fine and decided to stay in the tent.. alone. He was gone for a good half hour and I am laying there WIDE awake listening to every branch breaking in the woods near me. I had to sing Pocahontas and Judas by Lady Gaga in my head for a half hour to calm myself down. Nevertheless, I survived.
We hiked the next day as it started to drizzle a bit. We found another waterfall-
Omigosh, speaking of. We did a six hour hike the other day in Santa Barbara (which I am still sore from) and we found probably the most magical place ever. Deep in the woods was a hidden waterfall. It wasn’t so secret considering how many people were there but it was still so fun.
waterfalls in SB
Back to Big Sur. We found some gnarly scenic overlooks and such. We were starving after that and decided to treat ourselves to a real meal and that way we wouldn’t have to buy firewood either. The cheapest place we could find was a restaurant with a $13 burger. Do not be fooled tourists.. a “cafe” here does not mean cheap Denny’s-like food. It means a $25 catch of the day menu. It was a great burger and we needed it.. but still.
the trees here blow our minds, and these aren't even the big ones yet!
We continue on north, friends. To Monterey and beyond at this point. Staying at a friend’s house here in NorCal and then we have to jet over to San Fran for the Architecture in Helsinki concert (which I’m shooting for Filter). Then we have a lot of time to kill while in SF.. until the 10th which is when we will be off to Yosemite. So since we will have a lot of time on our hands = coffee shops = internet = updates.
if you look really close, you can see wyatt.. he's the small red dot.
More to come.. when internet is available.. thanks for the patience.
