Back in Big Sur

Big Sur

This past month I got to go to Big Sur, one of my favorite places in the world, twice! I went camping with groups of friends at different campgrounds along Highway 1. I'm still a new camper and I will always go for glamping, but it's still great to get so immersed in nature, and sometimes camping really is the simplest, most convenient option.

Our basecamps were in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and Kirk Creek Campground. We hiked in Pfeiffer Big Sur and Andrew Molera State Parks, and on both visits the food included meals at Big Sur Bakery. (Side note, I want my future backyard to be like Big Sur Bakery.) Big Sur has a bunch more hospitality options (like Treebones resort which I've mentioned before), than are obvious at first. Moreover, both camping trips were in good company, which is what I appreciate most about them. Everyone helped each other set up their gear, and the ones who hiked those trails before gave the rest of us a heads up how tough it would be... A few days later, my legs were still a little tired walking up the hill in San Francisco!

Below are some shots from the recent trips. This is the first time I'm posting some pics from a Samsung NX3000 in addition to my iPhone, but I hope to use the Samsung more often. 

our tents at Kirk Creek Campground (photo taken by someone in our group)

Kirk Creek Campground

Big Sur Bakery

Big Sur Bakery

Big Sur Bakery

Big Sur

McWay Falls

from Nacimimento Road

from Nacimiento Road

Andrew Molera State Park

surfers at Andrew Molera State Park

Andrew Molera State Park

Big Sur River at Andrew Molera State Park

(late) June Wrap Up

flower arrangements by Bloom That for Negroni Week

I like to have a recap of each month so that I don't just let it fly by without some reflection, or at least acknowledgment. Summer is flying by, though, and so much has been happening, and I can't believe it's July (wasn't it *just* MDW?).

June went by so fast because there was so much going on. It started off with Negroni Week, and a friend & I got to attend a special party thrown by Women & Whiskies. I hosted a couple events for my grad program (one bringing together alumni, and another for our incoming & current students interning in the Bay Area this summer). And I also attended batting practice with a couple friends before a Giants game, and we got to walk along the field before the game started!

pre-game!

For more nature-oriented activities, I went camping (for the first time!), up at Lassen. It was quickly followed by another camping trip at Marshall, part of the Point Reyes National Seashore. On the first trip we had a cabin that we drove up to, but for the second trip we kayaked to the beach and set up tents along the shore. Our tent was on a bed of clover and protected from the wind/mist under some pine trees. In the past couple months I've gotten a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and tent... basically I can go anywhere now.

camping @ Marshall, CA

Farewell to a fun June, and cheers to a great upcoming July!