Both of us ended up going camping this weekend

**starsapphire** · 02-15-2010, 12:41 PM

DH goes camping with the guys every February (around V- day - yeah I know) on their male bonding campout thing down in Big Sur - about 40 miles south of Carmel on the unbelievably beautiful central California coast.

Long story short, me and another girl got to go this year. I think the tide has turned and now the girls will get to go from now on! Yay! I had never been to this area of California before.

I know what you're probably thinking - especially those still trying to dig out of snowstorms in the east. Camping in February? Are you out of your mind? I thought so too until this weekend. Now I know the secret!

The climate is surprisingly temperate. Temps were 40's at night and high 50's in the day. Was sunny on Friday and foggy Sat. and yesterday. And - we got to stay in a motor home.

Our campsite had an ocean view! But was still inland just enough to block the coastal winds. A short walk to the beach. The coastline is drop dead gorgeous.

On Saturday we drove over to Hearst Castle - William Randolph Hearst's mansion and took a tour. Wow - what a fantastic place!

We drove home yesterday and stopped in Monterey on the way home and went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium which we hadn't been to before either. Fantastic aquarium. There's a seahorse exhibit called The Secret Lives of Seahorses that was really amazing.

We left on Thursday night and got home around 10pm last night. We crammed alot of driving, camping and sightseeing into three days and now we are thoroughly exhausted but happy. It was alot of fun.

I will post some pics but it might be a few days. Dh has to load them onto his puter first and I'm not sure what all pics he took. He wasn't taking all that many pics but I know he has some of Hearst castle. I have two that I took with my cellphone which I will post as soon as it's recharged but I can't guarantee the photo quality LOL. And a couple of the guys promised to email the pics they took so that will be fun to see them.

Just wanted to share my great weekend.

**Ali Lee** · 02-15-2010, 01:26 PM

Lucky you!!! Sounds like a great

time!!!! I want to go camping.......

**pinetree** · 02-15-2010, 02:44 PM

We joined the polar bear club one year, to be a member you had to camp all winter long. We had so much fun camping in the snow. As long as your furnace is working its great!

Im so glad you had fun, No one says camping is just for the summer months! Hopefully you can go every year!
It sounds like you got to see alot! I would love to be able to camp right on the ocean! That must have been beautiful, as I look out at the snow.
I can"t wait to see your pictures!

**mauimagic** · 02-15-2010, 03:02 PM

Mahalo plenty for sharing your camping weekend!! I am so glad that you had this great opportunity!!

**starsapphire** · 02-15-2010, 05:18 PM

Big Sur beach

Attachment 15166

Fountain in front of main house at Hearst Castle

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Wish I had taken more photos with my cellphone - I didn't realize they would come out this good.

**pinetree** · 02-15-2010, 07:19 PM

Wow that picture of Big Sur is breathtaking!
Your cell phone takes really good pictures!

**starsapphire** · 02-15-2010, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by pinetree

Wow that picture of Big Sur is breathtaking!
Your cell phone takes really good pictures!

It was quite breathtaking

The pics don't do it justice. And its that way for miles and miles along that stretch of coast.

I forgot to mention we saw the elephant seals too. This is the time of year when they give birth and raise their pups and they're on the beaches alot in that area. We were just north of Ano Nuevo beach which the elephant seals made famous.

**pinetree** · 02-15-2010, 08:19 PM

I'm going to remember all this if we ever make it back that way.

I would Love to see all of this. This time of year would be a good time to go, there's not alot of people. Looks like you had the beach to yourself!

Thanks so much for sharing, You really had a very special trip!