Hike at Big Sur

[happychemist]

Pictures can be found HERE.

J's lab group goes on a backpacking trip every year. Last year we went to Agnew Meadows. This year's hike was up at Big Sur.

Our group was sixteen people. We drove up on Friday and car-camped at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. J's boss brought up filet mignon, salmon, and portobello mushrooms and bottles and bottles of wine. He claims that it's so that we're all hungover and slow the next day so that his 60-year-old butt can keep up. :)

The next day, we departed from Big Sur Station and hiked ~5.5 miles along the Pine Ridge Trail to get to our campsite at Terrace Creek. We set up camp at the creek and had a feast of vegetable soup (thickened with Potato Buds), couscous, chili mac, pad thai, packets of Indian food, and chocolate. Fortified with lots of whiskey, port, and scotch.

The next day we split up into two groups. J's boss, J, and I hiked up to the ridge to look out over the ocean, and a small contigient left to enjoy the hot springs at Sykes. After munching on crackers, summer sausage, cheese, and fruit snacks, as well as drinking plenty of water, I settled in to relax while J and his boss explored a bit. The ridge was beautiful, the air was clear of fog, and I loved my time alone. I sat back and read a bit (a perfect book for the hike, Gabriel Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude). And then, I just let my mind drift. There was a cabin on a hill that was north of mine, where we surmised the rangers lived. And I was just so completely envious.

That night we feasted on minestrone, couscous, beef stroganoff, and packets of Indian food. And of course, we drank more booze. That night I had nightmares about the outcome of the playoffs (but I knew it was a nightmare the minute I saw Troy Glaus come to bat in a D-backs uniform! After all, the D-backs aren't in the playoffs and Troy Glaus is with the blue jays. Nevertheless, once I figured out that it was a dream, I still watched the at-bat. Good thing too; he hit a home run :)) I could NOT sleep that night.

The next morning, we split into two groups once more; the majority of people went up through the ridge and down some dirt roads to get back to the Pacific Coast Highway. Three of us (including me) hiked out the way we came, and drove to meet the group, half a mile down from the trailhead. We got back just before noon, and then we drove down the PCH to Cambria (past Hearst Castle!) and had lots of greasy pizza.

All in all, I had a deliciously peaceful time. I really enjoyed myself and it was just wonderful to be away from the lab politics, the frustrating construction going on in our labs, and the Vanguard being down (again). The weather was absolutely perfect, staying cool all the time and not at all freezing at night. The company was absolutely fantastic. I spent a lot of time hiking with J's boss, and he's a really fun, clever guy. He had all sorts of stories to tell, and could identify just about anything I asked him about.

I wish I could be back there.

Comments

So peaceful!

[alysonl.livejournal.com]

It looks like you had a great time. I'd have loved it too, but I'd have kicked the 60YO's butt due to lack of hangover. ;) (*snort* Like a 38YO who never hikes is any better!)

[adventurat.livejournal.com]

Sounds and looks perfectly lovely, apart from the baseball hallucinations! Hee!

[worldmaker-13.livejournal.com]

sounds like a practically perfect vacation!

[bijoux.livejournal.com]

It sounds like you had a really great time! All that talk of campfood makes me hungry (you guys know how to eat in style ;D).

Those pictures of the views off of Big Sur are lovely.

[the-mongrel.livejournal.com]

Sounds like an awesome time, dude!

[the-marchioness.livejournal.com]

Absolutely gorgeous, C! Thanks for sharing the photos.

[jennlynnfs.livejournal.com]

Big Sur is always wonderful. The pics are beautiful.

And damn. Camping food was never that good when I was a kid. But then again, if I knew camping food would be that good, I'd probably go more often. :)