Big Sur: Day 2

   At 6am in the Fernwood campground there was a low laying fog on the ground and the sun was starting to peak through the trees.  I slowly got out of my extremely warm sleeping bag and left Sarah to catch a few more z's.

Before I continue, I have to point out that the Starbucks instant coffee has to be my favorite camping item.  It ready when the hot water is, there is no clean up, and it tastes delicious black.  SO, after packing up the car, a couple cups of coffee, and a  bowl of blueberry oatmeal, we were off to Andrew Molera State Park.


The hike we set out to do was called the Andrew Molera Loop.  The 8.8 mile loop takes you along the Bluffs, Panorama, and Ridge trails with lots of ascents and descents.  We started off in the parking lot of Molera SP and found the trail. We were instantly greeted with a river crossing, without any bridges in sight. It was a chilly morning, probably in the 40s.  Neither of us had waterproof shoes on, so I took off my shoes and socks and had Sarah jump on my back. Then across the river we trekked.  Let me tell you, I don't recommend crossing a river barefoot in the middle of winter at 8am.  IT WAS FREAKING COLD!  That didn't stop Sarah (who was nice and warm and hanging on my back) from laughing all the way across.  The first part of the trail takes you to a secluded beach with a great view of the coast line.  From there you travel across the bluffs and through some amazing wildlife.

We happend to get really close to a fawn and got to watch it eat breakfast.

Fawn

After you get to a bench, the turn around spot, you head back along the ridge of Molera SP through a canopy of redwoods.  It's truly an amazing hike so make sure to bring your camera and plan lots of time.

Halfway!

The Panorama Trail

As we headed back to LA Sarah made me pull off on the side of the road right before the Hearst Castle.  There laying across the beach, like hundreds of giant slugs, were elephant seals bathing in the sun.  These guys are huge!!!  It's really cool to watch them interact with each other, grunt, and flip sand on their backs.

After all the adventures we were exhausted, so we started the loooong drive back to LA.