USA 2023. Big Sur

The official sight seeing part of the trip has begun. It’s been an interesting time, getting back into the swing of things, and operating without a plan. While I have a very basic plan, I am only planning campgrounds the night before. My plan for the next days was to drive from San Diego to the northern terminus of the coastal highway, camp, then drive down as far as I can go. (there’s a closure in the middle due to a landslide)

There aren’t a ton of campsite options at the beginning of the road, but I found an rv campground and drove there. Arriving mid afternoon, they were full. I then checked another place nearby, and they had space, but it was meant for RVs and was basically just a paved parking spot. My new rooftop system totally makes it so I can camp on pavement, but the spot was very expensive, and didn’t look appealing. So I started looking and found some places partway down the coast. The state park in Big Sur was full, but I found another small campground that had an opening. It was just as expensive, but at least it was a riverside camp spot. So that was my destination. Plan 1, foiled.

As I drove down the beginning of the coastal highway, my heart sank a little. It was extremely busy. Every look out spot was crammed with people, and in some cases cars would just stop and wait on the road for someone to leave…while everyone else got stuck behind. The scenery was great but I just wasn’t feeling it. It probably had something to do with driving 9 hours, then having plans fall through…I was cranky.

I had reached a point that often comes at the beginning of big trips: is road tripping really as good as I remember it? I almost surely overhype things as I prepare for a trip, and then near the beginning I start to wonder: is this what I was so excited about? Have I maybe come to the end of my road trip enjoyment? Clearly I just need patience as you will see by the end of this post.

So I pulled into the campground. It was nice, but crowded, although I had pretty good neighbors. One of their kids was fascinated by my rooftop tent. I have a feeling it will be a real conversation starter.

Anyways, my original broad plan was to stay 1 full day(2 nights) in the area…but the insanely expensive camping kind of stopped that idea. I tried to find something else, but in the end my plan changed, and I was just going to explore the next morning, then head inland. Plan 2, foiled.

I was tired, and originally planned to just have dinner, then go to bed early. After dinner the thought entered my mind: since this is the west coast, the best lighting for photos will be evening light. Since I was now only staying 1 night, I decided I simply had to go out driving and catch some evening light. I did and it was a great time. The views were amazing, and it wasn’t as busy. I still wasn’t quite as awestruck as I should have been…probably still tired.

I had a wonderful night of sleep, and got up with the sun the next day. Since I was now just going to explore for the morning, I headed out first thing…and was met by thick fog. Thick enough at times it was hard to see the road, let alone the wonders of the coast that were completely hidden. I decided to drive as far south as I could to the road closure, in hopes that the fog would start to clear as the sun rose. I reached the end, and it was still foggy. I sat in the Jeep reading for a couple hours. Still foggy. I waited another hour. Nothing.

At this point I started to entertain the idea that the evening drive was all I was meant to see of the coast. It would be a little disappointing, but it was time to move on. As I drove north, I noticed the fog had lifted enough that I no longer had trouble seeing the road. I stopped by a few lookouts, but couldn’t see much more than shadows through the mist.

Then after I had passed some of the more potentially spectacular bits, I noticed the sun actually poking through the clouds. I was tight on time, but decided to wait another 45 min. It really started to clear up, and I actually drove back a short ways and saw some of the wonders that I missed the first time! It is such an epic area! I got a ton of great photos and videos. I was in awe once again! The fog even enhanced the photos.

So, my original plans didn’t work out. They turned out ok, but I wondered how God was leading through this.  The original plan would have had me drive from Big Sur to Yosemite the next day. But because of the changed plans, it would be too tight to make it to Yosemite in the afternoon. So I found a place in between to camp.

And what a place it is! Completely accidentally, I found a quiet recreation site, in the middle of nowhere, with amazing views. It’s among the best camp spots I’ve ever had! Somehow the best part of my day…of the trip so far…is something I didn’t plan or even think of. It took several twists and turns to get me here. God’s plans are better…we just need to wait sometimes to see them.