 Forest in the campsite |  Crop fields adjacent to the site |
 Crop field leading up to the ocean |
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Sunset Beach
Wednesday, September 27, 2007 - Arrived to my campsite, which is actually north of Monterey in the small town of Watsonville. All around me are vineyards and crop fields. In fact, driving out of the campsite I had my windows rolled down and smelled something really sweet, I finally realized it was strawberries. Apparently the campsite is nestled just between the edge of strawberry fields and the ocean. Very cool scenery here as there are tons of rolling hills with crops that extend all the way to the ocean.
Cambria
Wednesday, September 27, 2007 - Made my way up the pacific coast highway today from Montana de Oro in Los Osos, headed for my next campsite at Sunset Beach in Monterey Bay - about a 4 hour drive on PCH 1. Highway 1 hugs the pacific coast as it winds around mountains for hundreds of miles. The scenery however at this stretch of PCH 1 is incredible, as your elevation is constantly changing. Just feet off the road is the giant blue expanse in dramatic fashion; I swear I could see the curvature of the earth from up here. Saw tons of wineries as I drove through San Luis Obispo and Big Sur.
Stopped in Cambria for a late lunch at a local restaurant, which actually I believe was a house converted into a restaurant. The interior is all hardwood floor, many small rooms with tables in them, a basement dining area, and patio dining. I sat outside in the front, but felt like the restaurant greeter. Every person that walked in said hello, the waiters knew every patron's family, where their kids were going to school, etc. Love that small town feeling.
Stopped in Cambria for a late lunch at a local restaurant, which actually I believe was a house converted into a restaurant. The interior is all hardwood floor, many small rooms with tables in them, a basement dining area, and patio dining. I sat outside in the front, but felt like the restaurant greeter. Every person that walked in said hello, the waiters knew every patron's family, where their kids were going to school, etc. Love that small town feeling.
 The restaurant in Cambria |  View from PCH |
 View from PCH |
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Montana de Oro
Tuesday, September 25, 2007 8:55PM – I drove about an hour and a half north today and came to Los Osos. From here I drive about 25 minutes west toward the coast and begin an ascent up the mountain of Montana de Oro (Spanish for Mountain of Gold, named after the gold rock interiors of the mountain). As I drive up, the road immediately covers itself in what I assume are sequoia trees. I almost feel like I’m driving through a tunnel with the density of trees.. I then emerge from the tunnel of trees to see the entire pacific to my right, as I’m still driving up this mountain. Shortly hereafter I reach my campground.
The park host Lana hooked me up with a better campsite as my original one would have not had any kind of view, and I would have had to park and hike up a ways to get to.
There was a small cove below us with a parking lot; I asked Lana if it was safe there to unload my kayak and take off. She warned me it was dangerous, but I went ahead and gave it a shot. I can see what she means though, if you aren’t paying attention or aren’t used to navigating a kayak you can get yourself pretty messed up, as there are large waves on either side of the cove that crash on rock. I meandered through the center, which only had swells, and on the way out noticed the funkiest sea fauna.. It had the appearance of anacondas floating on the surface with eggplants growing out of them. Dark cylindrical things with black bulbs attached. Very strange.
Paddled back in, rested for a bit, and then decided to climb a pretty large rock (as I’d seen someone else do it earlier). At the top was one of the softest sands I’ve ever stepped on. The rock juts out and allows you to walk a bit out into the ocean. Below me were large waves crashing and throwing water up. I then had what felt like a cliché scene out of a movie; I noticed the sun setting from my comfy spot ontop of this rock with waves crashing below me. As the sun was about halfway down the horizon, 2 flocks of birds, each from opposite directions, flew across the setting sun from my vantage point. As the sun set, I then turned around to go back and noticed that a full moon was at rising from the mountains. It was a little ridiculous.
I got down from the rock and said hello to a couple I saw paddle-surfing out in the ocean – Greg and Susan.. We got to talking a little and the next thing you know they’ve given me a beer – the kind I just had last night, Firestone. In return I gave them a beer I had in my car. Fantastically nice people; the guy reminded me of Anthony Keidis from Red Hot Chili Peppers. Greg asked if I was traveling up north, which after affirming he told me it only gets better from here. I do find that hard to believe, but ok.
Sunset at Montana de Oro
The park host Lana hooked me up with a better campsite as my original one would have not had any kind of view, and I would have had to park and hike up a ways to get to.
There was a small cove below us with a parking lot; I asked Lana if it was safe there to unload my kayak and take off. She warned me it was dangerous, but I went ahead and gave it a shot. I can see what she means though, if you aren’t paying attention or aren’t used to navigating a kayak you can get yourself pretty messed up, as there are large waves on either side of the cove that crash on rock. I meandered through the center, which only had swells, and on the way out noticed the funkiest sea fauna.. It had the appearance of anacondas floating on the surface with eggplants growing out of them. Dark cylindrical things with black bulbs attached. Very strange.
Paddled back in, rested for a bit, and then decided to climb a pretty large rock (as I’d seen someone else do it earlier). At the top was one of the softest sands I’ve ever stepped on. The rock juts out and allows you to walk a bit out into the ocean. Below me were large waves crashing and throwing water up. I then had what felt like a cliché scene out of a movie; I noticed the sun setting from my comfy spot ontop of this rock with waves crashing below me. As the sun was about halfway down the horizon, 2 flocks of birds, each from opposite directions, flew across the setting sun from my vantage point. As the sun set, I then turned around to go back and noticed that a full moon was at rising from the mountains. It was a little ridiculous.
I got down from the rock and said hello to a couple I saw paddle-surfing out in the ocean – Greg and Susan.. We got to talking a little and the next thing you know they’ve given me a beer – the kind I just had last night, Firestone. In return I gave them a beer I had in my car. Fantastically nice people; the guy reminded me of Anthony Keidis from Red Hot Chili Peppers. Greg asked if I was traveling up north, which after affirming he told me it only gets better from here. I do find that hard to believe, but ok.
Sunset at Montana de Oro
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Santa Rosa Island III
Sunday, September 23, 2007 - I don't know that I've ever slept this much. After our 7 mile hike yesterday, I read for about an hour and then conked out for about 4 hours. We ate dinner, I went to sleep around 8:30, and didn't wake up until 8:00AM this morning. I exited my tent and walked over to the Ege-Chen tent to see Miss Ege dancing toward me. Apparently her ankle feels better.
But, this in a nutshell describes the both of them to me. You meet certain people that are brimming with life, the kind of people that will be going just as strong when they're 90 years old. They are the real deal. I already realized it before I came to this island, but it's almost getting to the point that it's weird how many people I'm meeting, and especially how many people I've had meaningful conversations with. Maybe once every couple of years would I normally run into a stranger at a store, restaurant, etc. and have a deep conversation with. However this is happening almost on a daily basis ever since I left. And here it is again, on an island 20 miles off the coast of california.
Today the 3 of us set out on a 5 mile hike to "Carrington Point" - another hike to a different part of the coast of the island. We ate breakfast together, at which point I finally mentioned I was going through a divorce. Needless to say this picqued their interest.. They asked for it, but I divulged basically the novel of a story that's been my past year or so all the way down the hike to the coast. I guess it's just being in a small group completely isolated from civilization, but I feel really comfortable around these people. They're generous, easy to talk to, hysterical, insightful, goofy, all wrapped in one.
We got back to camp, packed all up, and set out for the 1.5 mile hike back to the pier with all our stuff. By the time I reached the pier, I was completely tapped out of energy. I hiked about 18.5 miles this weekend. We talked all day about the all-important moment when we get on the boat and order 3 beers and 3 hotdogs. Which we did. In all actuality the hotdogs probably weren't that good, but at the time they tasted like heaven. On the boat ride back we saw ahead of us a huge flock of birds in the water. Shortly after we saw nearby what looked like white water in the middle of the ocean, however it was massive groups of dolphins on a feeding frenzy.. There were literally hundreds and hundreds of dolphins racing through and hopping out of the water. An Orca whale was spotted nearby, which apparently the dolphin saw as well and forced them to stampede off in a grand finale of sorts. I'd never seen so much marine life in the ocean before.
The 3 of us reached land and exchanged info. On my way back home I will stop in LA to see my friends again.
But, this in a nutshell describes the both of them to me. You meet certain people that are brimming with life, the kind of people that will be going just as strong when they're 90 years old. They are the real deal. I already realized it before I came to this island, but it's almost getting to the point that it's weird how many people I'm meeting, and especially how many people I've had meaningful conversations with. Maybe once every couple of years would I normally run into a stranger at a store, restaurant, etc. and have a deep conversation with. However this is happening almost on a daily basis ever since I left. And here it is again, on an island 20 miles off the coast of california.
Today the 3 of us set out on a 5 mile hike to "Carrington Point" - another hike to a different part of the coast of the island. We ate breakfast together, at which point I finally mentioned I was going through a divorce. Needless to say this picqued their interest.. They asked for it, but I divulged basically the novel of a story that's been my past year or so all the way down the hike to the coast. I guess it's just being in a small group completely isolated from civilization, but I feel really comfortable around these people. They're generous, easy to talk to, hysterical, insightful, goofy, all wrapped in one.
We got back to camp, packed all up, and set out for the 1.5 mile hike back to the pier with all our stuff. By the time I reached the pier, I was completely tapped out of energy. I hiked about 18.5 miles this weekend. We talked all day about the all-important moment when we get on the boat and order 3 beers and 3 hotdogs. Which we did. In all actuality the hotdogs probably weren't that good, but at the time they tasted like heaven. On the boat ride back we saw ahead of us a huge flock of birds in the water. Shortly after we saw nearby what looked like white water in the middle of the ocean, however it was massive groups of dolphins on a feeding frenzy.. There were literally hundreds and hundreds of dolphins racing through and hopping out of the water. An Orca whale was spotted nearby, which apparently the dolphin saw as well and forced them to stampede off in a grand finale of sorts. I'd never seen so much marine life in the ocean before.
The 3 of us reached land and exchanged info. On my way back home I will stop in LA to see my friends again.
 Peili left, Ege right |  The island of San Miguel (if I remember right) across from our island |
 An arch in the rocks at Carrington Point |  Peili and I |
 The hike back up from Carrington Point |  "Painted Cave" - a cave we actually entered by boat on the way back. The cave is obviously gigantic; tons of different colors naturally occuring all over the walls. |
 |  A little hard to see, but the stampede of dolphins in the water |
 #16 at La Super Rica off Malpas. Thanks Ege. |  Superheros |
Santa Rosa Island II
Saturday, September 22, 2007 - Ok, Peili and Ayshe are the coolest people. Easily the funnest/funniest people I've met on my journey. When exiting the boat onto Santa Rosa, you have to climb a ladder onto a pier while the boat is in the water, rocking up and down from the swells. Well unfortunately Miss Ege got her foot mangled in between the ladder and the boat as the boat was rocking back up.. It could have been a lot worse, but her ankle was pretty swolen by today. So Peili and I met with "Ranger Rick" - a nice volunteer ranger on the island that comes out for 3-day weekends to guide us folks and share some info on the island. He also bears a striking resemblence to Harold Ramis both visually and in oration. Uncanny.
Rick guided about 10 of us through Santa Rosa on a hike that begins at a forest with all sorts of spanish moss, and almost looked like the southern US.. Shortly after we entered a canyon that honestly reminded me a lot of hiking through the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Of course it's nowhere near as deep, but had a lot of the same natural features; the mountains with different colors, wind and water erosion that had created striking rock formations, etc. As you reach the end of the canyon, you arrive to a secluded ocean coast with all sorts of stuff going on. Caves, tidepools, waves exploding out of caves and shooting into the air, uninhabited beaches. Here we stopped and ate lunch right in front of the ocean. Rick, Peili, and I sat at the edge of a small overhang and shared our war stories. Peili is of hawaiian and asian descent and had some incredible lineage stories to tell. If I hadn't mentioned before, she is also absolutely hysterical.
We headed back and got rained on a little bit toward the end of the hike. Back at camp Peili, Ayshe and I dined together. Mmmm.. Chef Boy-R-Dee... We also attempted to complete an NY Times crossword puzzle, which I think just made us feel dumber.
Rick guided about 10 of us through Santa Rosa on a hike that begins at a forest with all sorts of spanish moss, and almost looked like the southern US.. Shortly after we entered a canyon that honestly reminded me a lot of hiking through the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Of course it's nowhere near as deep, but had a lot of the same natural features; the mountains with different colors, wind and water erosion that had created striking rock formations, etc. As you reach the end of the canyon, you arrive to a secluded ocean coast with all sorts of stuff going on. Caves, tidepools, waves exploding out of caves and shooting into the air, uninhabited beaches. Here we stopped and ate lunch right in front of the ocean. Rick, Peili, and I sat at the edge of a small overhang and shared our war stories. Peili is of hawaiian and asian descent and had some incredible lineage stories to tell. If I hadn't mentioned before, she is also absolutely hysterical.
We headed back and got rained on a little bit toward the end of the hike. Back at camp Peili, Ayshe and I dined together. Mmmm.. Chef Boy-R-Dee... We also attempted to complete an NY Times crossword puzzle, which I think just made us feel dumber.
 Starting the hike |  The initial spanish moss forest |
 Rock formation along the hike - Peili leading the way |  Canyon (obviously) |
 |  The end of the trail |
 Our lunch cafeteria |  Santa Rosa sunset |
 Miss Ege on left, Peili on right |
Santa Rosa Island
Friday, September 21, 2007 - On the boat ride out (about a 2.5 hour ride), we saw a dead blue whale lying belly-up in the ocean, with sharks and birds eating at it. We also saw a live blue whale, a humpback whale, and tons of dolphins. I still think physically I could have kayaked out to one of these islands, but obviously, I would not have been alone in the water. I think this would have been the most intimidating thing for me.
On the island, I met Peili and Ayshe - a very cool couple of girls I hung out with today. Got all my gear set up at my campsite, then wondered where my sleeping bag was. I have a bad feeling I left it in my car but wasn't sure if maybe I left it on the pier. I walked back, talked to a ranger that said nothing was left at the pier, but that the boat was coming back at :00 and maybe it was on there. Came back to camp, went back at 3:00, and luckily a ranger had an extra sleeping bag he was able to lend me. The distance from camp to the pier is 1.5 miles, and though I didn't walk the entire way each time, I think I easily walked 5 miles today, a decent amount of it in the rain. I am tired.
On the island, I met Peili and Ayshe - a very cool couple of girls I hung out with today. Got all my gear set up at my campsite, then wondered where my sleeping bag was. I have a bad feeling I left it in my car but wasn't sure if maybe I left it on the pier. I walked back, talked to a ranger that said nothing was left at the pier, but that the boat was coming back at :00 and maybe it was on there. Came back to camp, went back at 3:00, and luckily a ranger had an extra sleeping bag he was able to lend me. The distance from camp to the pier is 1.5 miles, and though I didn't walk the entire way each time, I think I easily walked 5 miles today, a decent amount of it in the rain. I am tired.
 Dead blue whale |  Hiking from the pier up to the campsite |
 The view from my campsite |
Leo Carrillo/Ventura Harbor
Friday, September 21, 2007 - Camped out at Leo Carrillo State Beach in Malibu last night. No view of the beach there, however tons of forest with huge trees hanging over each campsite. Arrived to perfectly clear skies, and for the first time on my journey I didn't put my rain tarp on my tent. Woke up at 5:30AM to rain for the first time on my journey.
Made it to Ventura Harbor by 7:00AM for my 8:00AM departure to the island of Santa Rosa in the Channel Islands - about 20 miles or so off the coast. Ate at a cool little breakfast spot called Christy's, filled mostly with locals. I'm only an hour and half away from San Clemente but already the scenery and people are completely different (not in a bad way). I feel like I'm in a port town in the northeast or something. Everyone here so far is some sort of fisherman or sailer, and apparently huge beards are a requirement here.
This morning was one of the most vivid sunrises I've ever seen. Unfortunately I wasn't able to take any pics as I was driving and trying to find the harbor. More to come..
Made it to Ventura Harbor by 7:00AM for my 8:00AM departure to the island of Santa Rosa in the Channel Islands - about 20 miles or so off the coast. Ate at a cool little breakfast spot called Christy's, filled mostly with locals. I'm only an hour and half away from San Clemente but already the scenery and people are completely different (not in a bad way). I feel like I'm in a port town in the northeast or something. Everyone here so far is some sort of fisherman or sailer, and apparently huge beards are a requirement here.
This morning was one of the most vivid sunrises I've ever seen. Unfortunately I wasn't able to take any pics as I was driving and trying to find the harbor. More to come..
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
San Clemente V
Wednesday, September 19, 2007 9:30PM - After work today I kayaked at a different beach in San Clemente, and went out quite a ways to a small island. You can see this rock/island with the naked eye, and it's pretty small, but I didn't realize until I got up close that it was a sea lion haven.. Those little suckers were all over it.
Afterwards I studied some theology on the beach while the sun set. My last night here and I coincidentally finished the book of the Bible I'd been studying for a while now - Hosea - which is a story about a man who God commands to marry a woman they both know will be unfaithful, in order to symbolize his country's (Israel) unfaithfulness to God. A bit of a harsh story but one I found that hit pretty dang close to home.
I then cooked an incredible salmon, grilled onions, and drank the red wine Caleb and Aley left for me.
I am in fact very sad to leave here. However, if I never would have forced myself to come this far, I would have missed out on so many experiences.. So I figure I owe it to myself to continue experiencing new things, and San Clemente will always be here if I want/need to come back, so I move forward tomorrow with a slightly heavy heart. Enclosed are some more sunset pics on my last day here -
Afterwards I studied some theology on the beach while the sun set. My last night here and I coincidentally finished the book of the Bible I'd been studying for a while now - Hosea - which is a story about a man who God commands to marry a woman they both know will be unfaithful, in order to symbolize his country's (Israel) unfaithfulness to God. A bit of a harsh story but one I found that hit pretty dang close to home.
I then cooked an incredible salmon, grilled onions, and drank the red wine Caleb and Aley left for me.
I am in fact very sad to leave here. However, if I never would have forced myself to come this far, I would have missed out on so many experiences.. So I figure I owe it to myself to continue experiencing new things, and San Clemente will always be here if I want/need to come back, so I move forward tomorrow with a slightly heavy heart. Enclosed are some more sunset pics on my last day here -
 A lone surfer - taken yesterday |  The lone surfer catching a wave - to give you an idea of wave size and break |
 |  |
 |
San Clemente IV
Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - This morning was a little scary. Last night my laptop refused to charge anymore, but I figured was just a fluke at starbucks or something. However this morning it still wouldn't charge anywhere.. I was crossing my fingers dearly that it was just the power cord, so I drove 40 minutes to the nearest Fry's and purchased a $70 power cord. Didn't work. Went back in and purchased an $80 power cord. Didn't work. At this point it was looking like something was wrong with the laptop, in which case would mean I would likely have to cut my trip short and head home so I could work again. However I remembered that the First American headquarters were somewhere in California.. Turns out, it's about 20 minutes away from me. So I stopped in and found a horribly helpful technician who gave me another power cord, and it worked famously. There are only 2 places in the country I could have got my laptop fixed this fast, Santa Ana in California, or Westlake in Texas. Worked out quite nice for me.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
San Clemente III
Tuesday, September 18, 2007 - I keep saying this, but I really like this place. Saw my friend Chester who's currently in seminary at starbucks again today.. This time we talked for 4 hours, basically all on theology. Chester is also an accomplished author who has publications, teaches history, and is getting his degree at Talbot seminary in Christian philosophy. He also gave me a 442 page powerpoint slide he put together on many, many subjects - exegesis, hermaneutics, philosophy - some he composed himself, some taken from various sources. This will probably keep me occupied for the rest of my life; seriously. During our conversation he told me - "This is actually really sad, but out of all the people I know at Talbot this is probably the best theological conversation I've had." Coming from who this came from, this is possibly one of the biggest compliments I've received in my life.
Earlier today at starbucks I talked with a guy named Rick for about 2 hours.. He had been through shockingly similar circumstances with his marriage. He had an undergrad degree in chemistry and a masters in environmental science, so we talked at length about science. Eventually we began talking about religion (this keeps happening, I don't know if that's my fault or what), and we had so much in common as he comes from a scientific background but sees many parallels with religion as well. He is now involved in ministry.
I am starting to dread leaving on Thursday, but I have a journey to complete, so I gotta move on, dangit.
Earlier today at starbucks I talked with a guy named Rick for about 2 hours.. He had been through shockingly similar circumstances with his marriage. He had an undergrad degree in chemistry and a masters in environmental science, so we talked at length about science. Eventually we began talking about religion (this keeps happening, I don't know if that's my fault or what), and we had so much in common as he comes from a scientific background but sees many parallels with religion as well. He is now involved in ministry.
I am starting to dread leaving on Thursday, but I have a journey to complete, so I gotta move on, dangit.
Monday, September 17, 2007
San Clemente Sunset
Monday, September 17, 2007 - I love this place. I spent a few hours at the beach reading after work, enclosed are some sunset photos -
 |  |  |  |
 |
San Clemente II
Monday, September 17, 2007 - I arrived at my site and was completely awestruck. This is by far the best campsite I've had yet. There was something with the way the light was coming through the clouds and lighting up the ocean that looked absolutely fake; I felt like I was in a painting. Beams of light came down from the clouds in brilliant columns and lit up small, definite patches of the ocean. The scenery last night was surreal. Ontop of this, there apparently was a surfer that recently passed away and a group of 10-15 surfers were holding a memorial service. This group of surfers paddled out into the ocean, formed a circle, spread his ashes, and from what I could tell were sitting out in the ocean and talking. Apparently one of the surfers out there was a surf legend; I can't remember his name now for the life of me. I'm pretty sure I've got one of the best spots in this campground, as people are constantly coming over to my site just to lean against the rail and catcht he view. And I'm fine with spreading the wealth; I shouldn't get to hog this view all to myself. Met an englishman who runs a mountain bike shop here - Scottie - a hysterical guy. Ended up meeting a married couple with their twin sons here - Caleb and Aley. Spent hours with them yesterday chatting.. They also cooked a righteous lasagne and fed me well. After we drank all the beer we had, Caleb had 2 mountain bikes that we took across I-5 to a liquor store to get a couple more six packs. When we drank that, we switched to wine, and they then insisted that I take their bottle of red wine (BV). Incredibly generous and nice couple. Had an absolute blast yesterday.. Really all weekend. Enclosed are some of the pictures I took when I first arrived to my site - this is the view from my site..
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
Sunday, September 16, 2007
San Clemente
Monday, September 17, 2007 - What a weekend.. Went to the San Diego Museum of Natural History saturday and saw the Dead Sea Scrolls; very cool. Afterwards went to Ole's Tavern in San Clemente to watch some college games, and ended up getting to know a ton of people there. The tavern doesn't serve food, however the owner's wife will make some stuff on saturdays and sundays. I ate well saturday. Met a guy named Raj that just moved out to san clemente, he and I left and went to some other bars. Had way too much to drink. Got up early Sunday to get back to the tavern as NFL games start here at 10:00am.. I feel completely at home at that little tavern. Lots of regulars and the people are super cool. People were very interested to hear about my travels, and were equally as interested in the fact that I had my laptop out up at the bar. The bartender was in her 2nd year of fantasy football and was pretty anxious to get on her website to see how her team was doing. You know you're doing well when you don't even have to ask the bar help for drinks; they just keep 'em coming.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
San Onofre
Thursday, September 12, 2007 9:44PM - Ok, so apparently I really took my site at South Carlsbad way for granted.. Let's do a little side by side comparison between my last campsite and my new one here at San Onofre State Beach -
The good news is that my next stop, San Clemente State Beach, is actually supposed to have a view of the ocean. I have doubts as to whether or not they can match the decibel level my current campsite boasts. The other good news is that I really won't be at my site here much except to sleep. I'll work from the town of San Clemente tomorrow, on Saturday I will go to the San Diego Museum of Natural History to view the exhibit of the Dead Sea Scrolls, Sunday I'll go back into town to find a dive and stress out over my fantasy football teams.
Today I spoke with a guy at Starbucks for quite some time; I noticed he was studying Greek and figured he might be in Seminary. He in fact was; there is a Seminary School not too far from here called Talbot. He was in fact a very cool guy and gave me some good insight into Seminary in general. I will probably have to check out Talbot as well.
I will post some interesting pictures tomorrow possibly. So, the next time you see me post pictures of a campsite like South Carlsbad and I'm not going absolutely insane with glee, please fed ex me a replica of your hand to slap me upside the head.
| Amenities | South Carlsbad | San Onofre |
| View of the ocean | Yes | No |
| Showers | Yes | No |
| A roaring train 20 yards away from my tent that passes every 20 minutes | No | Yes |
| A roaring military fleet of helicopters patrolling close overhead every 20 minutes | No | Yes |
| View of a wall of dirt | No | Yes |
| An attendant at the trainstation babbling incessantly over the PA every 20 minutes | No | Yes |
| More than a 9x9 patch of land to camp on | Yes | No |
The good news is that my next stop, San Clemente State Beach, is actually supposed to have a view of the ocean. I have doubts as to whether or not they can match the decibel level my current campsite boasts. The other good news is that I really won't be at my site here much except to sleep. I'll work from the town of San Clemente tomorrow, on Saturday I will go to the San Diego Museum of Natural History to view the exhibit of the Dead Sea Scrolls, Sunday I'll go back into town to find a dive and stress out over my fantasy football teams.
Today I spoke with a guy at Starbucks for quite some time; I noticed he was studying Greek and figured he might be in Seminary. He in fact was; there is a Seminary School not too far from here called Talbot. He was in fact a very cool guy and gave me some good insight into Seminary in general. I will probably have to check out Talbot as well.
I will post some interesting pictures tomorrow possibly. So, the next time you see me post pictures of a campsite like South Carlsbad and I'm not going absolutely insane with glee, please fed ex me a replica of your hand to slap me upside the head.
Grand Canyon - South Rim (a little late)
Thursday, September 13, 2007 4:31PM - This is way overdue but I forgot to post anything about the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, which is a shame as I found the views there the best of either rim, and by far the most easily accessible.
My campsite was likely the largest campsite I will have on my entire journey (with the exception of McDonald Observatory, in which I had hundreds of acres at my disposal).. But I arrived at my campsite and was a little perplexed with what to do, as it was simply acres of forest.. 2 elk literally hung around my tent (about 20 feet away) for about 10 or 15 minutes while I prepared dinner. I'm assuming they're just used to campers giving them food and not killing them.
The views in the south rim are much more in line with what I expected to see at the Grand Canyon, as the edge of the rim extends for miles, and you can stand at the edge at any point and grab some incredible views. Thousands of feet below you are giant cracks in the earth's surface, and for the most part you really can't see how far down the ground is within these cracks.
I'd say the only con, though may be a pro for some, is that the South Rim seems much more developed and commercialized. Not to an obnoxious point, but there are villages, town centers, barrages of buses running from point to point, etc, while the North Rim has 1 small store at the top, and well, that's about it.
My campsite was likely the largest campsite I will have on my entire journey (with the exception of McDonald Observatory, in which I had hundreds of acres at my disposal).. But I arrived at my campsite and was a little perplexed with what to do, as it was simply acres of forest.. 2 elk literally hung around my tent (about 20 feet away) for about 10 or 15 minutes while I prepared dinner. I'm assuming they're just used to campers giving them food and not killing them.
The views in the south rim are much more in line with what I expected to see at the Grand Canyon, as the edge of the rim extends for miles, and you can stand at the edge at any point and grab some incredible views. Thousands of feet below you are giant cracks in the earth's surface, and for the most part you really can't see how far down the ground is within these cracks.
I'd say the only con, though may be a pro for some, is that the South Rim seems much more developed and commercialized. Not to an obnoxious point, but there are villages, town centers, barrages of buses running from point to point, etc, while the North Rim has 1 small store at the top, and well, that's about it.
 My campground. It extends forever.. I didn't know where the heck I was supposed to put my tent. |  |
 |  A couple feet away from death |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
