Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

This year for New Year's we decided to head up the California coast and spend three nights camping in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. We spent most of Thursday driving up, making a couple of pit stops along the way. After stopping at for gas in Cayucos, I spotted the Brown Butter Cookie Company across the street. I had to check it out, so we wandered over and were both surprised with what was inside! There were seriously 12 women all sitting around one table making cookies together! It was like a hen's coup in there! We passed on the samples, but bought a couple of the chewy cookies and they were delicious and provided dessert nibbles for the rest of the trip.

The next stop that we made was at the Elephant Seal beach. 

Elephant Seal

I clubbed these baby seals.

And there was one regular itchy seal there too.

After watching the seals for a while we continued up the coast until we hit McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.

Sand Dollar Beach

McWay Falls

We arrived at the campsite in Pfeiffer State Park and was pleasantly surprised to find it large and well sheltered. There was a picnic table, a fire pit and even a tree that was shaped into a chair!

Our campsite was close to the river that runs through the state park and so we did some exploring before it got dark.

The next morning after breakfast we drove down to the visitors center to figure out the days plan of attack. We knew that we wanted to see Pfeiffer State Beach and after scrutinizing the map and much debate we headed North along the coast. This was the wrong direction (told you so!) but I was able to get some good shots along the coast.

On our way back down we decided to stop and hike up the closed Waterfall trail where we were able to get a good view of the Pfeiffer Falls.

Bridge on the way to the falls

Pfeiffer Falls

This trail doubles back and then continues up to the Valley View trail which has views of the entire valley and all the way to the ocean.

When we were done with the hikes we headed south towards Pfeiffer State Beach. After paying the $5 parking fee, we walked down to the beach where we enjoyed our picnic lunch and a couple of games of hangman.

We still had light to burn to we drove on to the highly recommended Post Ranch Inn where we enjoyed $30 cocktails while overlooking the ocean.

Post Ranch Inn drinkys

For New Year's Eve we lived it up and did a day trip into Carmel and Monterey. We stopped in Carmel first so that Bingo could check out the wave action. The waves were tiny so we walked into downtown and got some coffee and checked out the local scene. We drove onto Monterey so we could get some famous clam chowder along the pier.

Marina in Monterey

We left Monterey and headed down to Asilamar Beach, which was one of the prettiest beaches that I have ever been too. The waves were too small to surf here, so we played around on the beach for a while taking pictures and looking for shells.

 Bingo knew a secret way into the 17 mile drive, so we gave the security guy at the gate a wave and drove on through for free. The drive was beautiful and worth the $10 entry fee, but why pay when you can use the local entrance? Highlights from the drive:

We stopped in Carmel to check the waves one last time and Bingo spotted some ankle slappers out in the distance, so he grabbed his board and headed out.

On the way back to the campground, I snapped a shot of the last sunset of 2011.

Joshua Tree National Park

After dinner at my parents house, we forged onto the high desert and spent the rest of our Thanksgiving vacation camping at Joshua Tree National Park. Joshua Tree National Park is located in Twentynine Palms, California which is about 30 miles Northeast of Palm Springs.

We camped at Black Rock campground, and found it to be spacious, have public restrooms and feature a picnic table and a fire pit, which came in handy when we were trying to stay warm at night in 30 degree temperatures.We arrived at the campground at dusk and were able to set up camp and inspect the near by rock formations before the sun set.

We woke up early the next day, and after breakfast, left the campground to drive to the West entrance of the park which was about 20 minutes away. After arriving, we drove through the park to the White Tank campground and worked our way back through the park. Our first stop was Jumbo Rocks where we did some amateur rock climbing/ scrambling.

Jumbo Rocks

We picked the tallest rock in the bunch and scrambled up to the top of it.

Queen of the World (and Bingo's Thumb)

After conquering this attraction, we drove on to the Hall of Horrors rock formation. Here we encountered real rock climbers, so we kicked back and ate lunch while we watched them climb their way to the top. This area features some tall vertical slabs, which seemed popular with the climbers in the area.

We made a couple more random stops to climb some boulders and then made the 20 minute drive up to Keys View. This  is an easy drive and is well worth the spectacular views at the top. It was pretty clear the day that we were there due to the light wind in the area, so we were able to see the entire Coachella Valley from the top.

The next stop was Barker Dam. After parking in the parking lot, you walk about a mile to where the dam is located. Unfortunately the dam was dry, but the trail there was easy, well maintained and good for stretching your legs.

As the day wore on, the temperature began to drop and because I wasn't in a hurry to get back to the campground where I would spend the rest of the night suffering from ice butt, we stopped at Crossroads Cafe for a bite to eat and to warm up a bit.  Over lattes and a really good chicken quesadilla, we decided to head to the bowling alley that we remembered passing on the way into the park earlier in the day. For $12 we rented two pairs of bowling shoes and two games of bowling! Best $12 I've ever spent!

Joshua Tree is pretty much what you make of it. We were able to get through the majority of the park in about seven hours but could have spent more time in various parts if it had been a bit warmer. All of the main attractions are off a well maintained paved road, with a majority of everything else within a short hike.

Up, Up and Away

On a recent visit to Palm Springs, we stopped by the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway on our way out of town. For those of you who are not native to the Coachella Valley, the tram is essentially a oversized gondola that traverses the front of Mt. San Jacinto. The car features a rotating floor, so passengers are able to enjoy a full view on the 10 minute ride up to the top.

You gain about 6,000 feet of elevation (the parking lot is at 2,643 feet and the top of the tram sits at 8,516 feet) and go through five different habitat changes, which is pretty rad if you're used to living somewhere that isn't very diverse (like the desert or the beach.)

Once we got to the top of the tram, we walked through the Mountain Station and out the back door to the paved trail that takes you down to a couple of different trail heads. There was several inches of snow present at the top that we weren't prepared for, so we took it easy and headed down the Desert View trail which is 1.5 mile loop that boasts some awesome views of the valley below.

Valley view from Desert View trail

We headed westerly back to the ranger station to check out some of the wilderness trails. Permits were needed to hike past the ranger station so we decided to turn back and head up to the mountain station.

The meadow where I had my meltdown

After I recovered from my worst nightmare, we headed back up to the mountain station to warm up and have a much needed cocktail at the Lookout Lounge before heading back down to the valley floor..