Gone Camping... for real this time

I'm in Mammoth, California right now.
I am really excited as I write this post, looking forward to our trip. I just finished packing up my camping gear. I technically left two days ago, but since this is the wonderful world of the internet, I can write this in advance. I love technology, (reminds me of a Napoleon Dynamite song).

Every year the Hearron's make the 4 1/2 hr drive up to Mammoth Lakes for about a week. We are staying only 3-4 days because I have to go back to work. So I will be gone for the next couple days.

Here is the whoooole family just about (I'm in the back, fourth from the left in the blue shirt):
These pictures are from last years trip. I'll share some with you from this year as soon as I get back.
This picture is from the top of "devils post pile" towards the first part of our hike.

And this is a creek that soon runs off into "rainbow falls".

One of my favorite memories from last year was Ryan pulling grandma in the baby seat behind my sister-in-law Misty's bike...

Beautiful House and History

While on our weekend trip (last weekend) we stopped at The Cass House which I drool over every time I see it (a whole three times).

It faces the Pacific Ocean right across the street and the gardens are always in full bloom for the season.


Originally it was the home of Captain James Cass who sailed the Atlantic 31 times before he was even 19. He also named the city Cayucos which means canoe in the language of the Indians who occupied the area.

image from casshouseinn.com

image from casshouseinn.com

The house was built in 1867 and was fully restored in 2007 into the Inn & Restaurant it is today.

image from casshouseinn.com

It is such a peaceful and beautiful place. I would love to stay there one day.

California Hwy 1

I know I told you last Thursday that we were going camping, but I lied. Not on purpose, but our plans took a quick detour. Instead we drove to San Fransisco Friday night and stayed the weekend. My best friend lives there so it was great shopping with her Saturday afternoon and catching a great lunch Sunday with her boyfriend and my husband. It was the first time all four of us hung out, and we had a blast! That night Ryan & I met up with a cousin of mine and had a great dinner at a fabulous Italian dinner in North Beach, and then went out to a great old bar down the street.


Sunday night we left San Fran and drove to south to Santa Cruz. We woke up Monday morning to drive Highway 1 down the California coast. It was beautiful.



Sometimes you gotta pee in the woods:



We found this little cove that had crystal blue/torquoise water, like in Jamaica. The rest of the water was still beautiful but the regular deep blue of the pacific.




We stopped in Big Sur for gas and ice cream and then made a couple of stops at some beautiful vista points to look at the stunning views. ...If only we had a convertible!










Happy Cows Come From California:




At one stop in San Simeon (by Hearst Castle) there were elephant seals bathing in the sun.



Taking it all in...

We made a stop in Cayucos for our favorite fish tacos (which I raved about here). When we got there, they were closed for the day. So sad.

Looking South towards Morro Bay:

Cayucos Pier:
The Cass House:

Gone Camping

I will miss my blog, but we're going to be out of town for the next 3 days. We are taking a beach camping trip for the weekend. I'm so excited since the weather is 100+ degrees here in Bakersfield, California. We are headed to the Ventura, Santa Barbara area. YAY! I can't wait to check out some great antique stores. I'll be sure to take lots of pictures and share when I get back.
Have a great weekend.