Day 33 Monterey

I got an early start leaving Sequoia National Park and very shortly drove past the Lake Kaweah Recreation Area, managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers (first posted photo). I then headed for the closest Walmart because my refrigerator stopped working and I needed a replacement. I spent at least twenty minutes in the store looking at alternatives and did not find any electric ones, so I settled for a cooler and ice. When I returned to the car, I immediately saw that Madison had once again found a bag of bagels and ripped it open and devoured FIVE BAGELS!! I thought I had hidden them well in the back of the car under many items, but that didn’t stop Madison, who apparently loves a challenge. At least they were Dave’s Organic Bagels, high in grains and protein, so I guess she ate healthy. I watched her for the rest of the day, and there was no impact.

I headed west for my first stop at the Monterey peninsula. We walked towards the end of the pier at the U.S. Coast Guard Station by San Carlos Beach. This area is frequented by hundreds of California Sea Lions and Harbor Seals. They were within ten yards of us, making their very loud honking sounds. At first the dogs were excited and wanted to get closer, but after a very large Sea Lion near us made an extremely loud honk, they were freaked out and wanted to head back.

I then drove down south along the Big Sur Coast Highway (part of the Route 1 Pacific Coast Highway), which is another designated All America scenic byway. The scenic views of the coastline were magnificent! I drove over the Bixby Bridge (one of my Must See’s). When it was completed in 1932, it was the highest single-span arch bridge in the world, and it remains one of the tallest.

I then drove to my campsite in the Weyland Campground in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. I had wanted to drive further down to McWay Falls, but a stretch of the highway was closed for major repairs.

At the campground, we took a short hike to the creek, which Gipper happily jumped into, and then settled in.

Posted photos, in order, include Lake Kaweah, two photos of the seals, a photo of the Monterey Bay, and four photos from the Big Sur Coast Highway, including one of the Bixby Bridge.