Tuesday, May 28, 2013

THE Trip, THE Encore' :: Riding the California 1 From Morro Bay to Big Sur California

Copyright 2013, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

April 5, 2013

Huge day trip today, from the campground in Morro Bay up California 1 to the Big Sur Post Office, over 570 photos.  YIKES!  No, don't panic, I will NOT share all of them.  I will share some here and some over on Flora and Fauna.  This post will take us as far as the Post Office, next I will share the photos from Big Sur back to Morro Bay.  We basically drove without stopping from Morro Bay, as all the good turn offs were on the southbound side of the road.  We stopped for lunch and for seals (see below), but, we knew the best stuff (view and Sony photo wise) would be on the south bound direction.  It is 90 miles, give or take, one way.  It was a LONG day, and the views took our breath away.  (So did driving along those drop offs! OK, no they did not, well most of them did not!  LOL)

Starting out, the roadway is not much higher than sea level, and the "cliffs" are small.


Lighthouses always get my attention.


Same light house.


The lighthouse was near Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Viewpoint.  We stopped, I took photos, many photos!  I took enough photos that I posted a bunch over on Flora and Fauna.


The constantly changing sea mist hangs on the hill tops.  I have come to really love that ever changing sea mist.


Mist, black rock and beaches, looking north.


See that small band of road, mid photo?  Yes, we are going there.  The highway twists and turns it's way up the coast.


OK, just where are those horses gonna walk?? This sign befuddled me.  Then, down at the bottom of the hill, in the curve, there is a trail.  I'll bet that is a fabulous ride!


Here is the thing with RV's.  There are size limits/suggestions for many California roads.  It is the mountain roads, curves and the percentage of grade that you need to be aware of.  For many roads in California they suggest that if your rig is longer than say, 25 feet or 30 feet from the king pin to the rear axle you have no business on that particular road.  Tana is exactly 25 feet from the king pin to the rear axle. Yes, we measured!  Glad we did!  These two rigs are much shorter than 25 feet.


The road climbs above sea level, and would you look at that blue water!  At times it was almost turquoise.




Twisting climbing road way, mountains, ocean water lapping waves at the rocky coast, sea mist hanging over the mountain tops.  Rugged beauty.



Really?? Yes, indeedy, some bikers do ride this road.  Personally I think they have some loose spindles on their tires.  And, yes, that is Jolly's hood. It was quite concerning passing this guy on a blind narrow curve with ole big butt Jolly.


We stopped at the Post Office of Big Sur.  Twelve days later we would drive south to that same post office, and turn around  there again.  It made for a great stopping place going north and south.  I'll show you - -




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2 comments:

Barbara Poole said...

I'm glad you made it through that area twice. Always hated that bridge and worried abt. mud slides. But you are safe, and I can breathe. Lovely photos Carol.

Lisa Wallen Logsdon said...

Ooooh and aaaahhhh Carol! Beautiful shots! Just what we were talking about!