We just spent four days in Big Sur and Monterey. It is one of my favorite places on earth. Last year I went alone with P for her first birthday. This year the entire family came: P, my husband and myself. For very personal reasons it was a very healing and emotional trip. I think P sensed it as well.
I love Big Sur because it is such a force of nature. There are amazing trees huddled together and towering over us. The ocean is beautiful. The coastline is vast and different with beaches and cliffs. Every single day is beautiful regardless of the weather. Rain or shine each casts a different light and beauty on this part of the planet.
I love that cell reception is spotty. All the places where we’ve stayed have no television. The people have no pretension; even tourists drop any attitude as they hit PCH. it’s a place to reconnect with nature.
We went on three hikes over two days. We saw a waterfall at Pfeiffer Falls. We hiked along a river near our lodge and then went to XXX Stage Park where we saw sea otters and seals and hiked down to China Beach. Each place a little different with amazing experiences for P.
I feel this is so invaluable for her. She gets to go on an “expedition” like Pooh Bear does with Christopher Robin. She gets to feel moss and see various kinds of mushrooms. She stands on tree stumps where she feels her balance and sees the world from a different perspective. She saw a waterfall…which to us was trickling but to her it was forceful. She got to place leaves on water and watched them flow downstream like little boats. She threw rocks and heard them kerplunk. The bigger the better. She watched Pappa skip rocks. She got to stand on a mound of beached sea kelp and we called it spaghetti. We out ran the waves washing up on the shore. We were the only ones on the beach and the only ones on our hikes. This is heaven.
You know how in children’s books they tell of great adventures? Well, I’m trying to bring her some of those adventures. I want to give her magical experiences you might think you can only find in books.
For reference:
We stayed at Fernwood Resort. I recommend staying in their “New Cabins” or the “Tent Cabins” if you want to get away from it all. The Motel tends to be noisy with cars and people going into the bar and restaurant.
My favorite restaurant is The Big Sur Bakery & Restaurant. I can’t even begin to explain the magic of this place. Their cookbook is amazing as well.
Another great place. A must to stop for lunch because of the fantastic view is Nepenthe. Their food is great.
