More Big Sur pictures

Hola amigo!

Along the southern end of Big Sur is the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery, where you are literally just 20 feet away from the seals.  They're a stinky, noisy bunch who spend most of their time soaking up sun, playing in the water and wrestling with each other (mostly the males).  The beach was packed with them, some lying around right on top of each other, and others scrapping on the beach.  Watching their bodies jiggle with their blubber dancing was quite entertaining as was the show the males put on when they wrestle/fight with each other, chest bumping and growling.  Even the youngsters got into it.  Quite the show!

Can't beat the sun setting into the Pacific Ocean

View from where I parked the car for the night

Redwoods make it through fires and keep going up!

Morning sun coming up along Highway 1

Rugged Point art

Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery

Elephant Seals doing what they do best

Baby elephant seals in the water

Big Sur is just as amazing as ever

A couple days off of work means a road trip.  This time, I headed back south to Big Sur, one of my favorite places in the world.  Such an epic stretch of wild, rugged coastline, full of booming waves, towering redwoods and some idyllic hikes.

Compared to when I was last down in the summer, there was very little traffic.  Meaning, smooth sailing and more time to just explore without the hassle of people everywhere.  One of the best parts of Big Sur is being away from everything, with no cell towers, telephone poles or anything within sight at most times.  Just you, and mother nature.

It was time for some hiking, some exploring, some road tripping and some good times.  Here are a few pictures from the last two days.  More to come soon.

Where Big Sur River meets the Pacific, along with my rented Toyota Prius

Morning coffee at the iconic Nepenthe Restaurant.  Well worth the price for that view

View from the drive south

A bench on the property of the local hermitage

Picture perfect

Sand Dollar Beach

Seascapes by Justus

Bit o rock out in the water

Halloween 2015

Imagine Rocky Balboa mixed with a unicorn.  That's what I was for Halloween this year.  Quite the fun time downtown, where everyone from the whole region comes to Santa Cruz.  From the early afternoon on, the street is closed off for people parading around, having fun and the little ones getting candy from the businesses.  The evening is still just as busy and a bit rowdier, but nonetheless, quite fun.  Here's a few snaps from the night:

Obama and the secret service!

Zombies awaking, look out!

And above is a video of the zombies arising to Thriller, by Michael Jackson

Another reason to love Shaquille O'Neal