Tim and I have just driven from Los Angeles to Monterey via the Pacific Hwy 1 aka the coast and Big Sur. It’s quite clear now why there are so many songs, stories, soliloquies singing the praises of this large and effusive state. It sparked a conversation in the car about what could possibly prompt Americans to want to travel outside their own country when it’s obvious the place they live in is so vast and radically different from coast to coast that they could really experience almost all climates and all environments just within the confines of their own nation. We put it down to wanting to experience other people and the different cultures. But I digress.

Sadly the rental car is not an Impala but still it is a Ford at least and a red one, so that’s two ticks in the plus column. Play the right road trip tunes and I can ignore the fact that we’re not cruising the roads in a beautiful black American muscle car (plus the mileage is no doubt slightly better on the Ford 😉 ).

I got my new camera today – a Nikon 3200, looks like the 5100 is going to have to be sent into Nikon to fix. Still under warranty which is good. So today was a good day to christen my new camera.

This was the first vista point we stopped at:

The following shots were all taken at Nepenthe – 48510 Hwy 1 Big Sur.

All of the above photos have been taken by my Nikon. The ones below have not 😉 The first few were taken at the Farmer’s Market on 3rd Street and Fairfax Ave. It’s a lovely place and pretty much a Foodie’s Disneyland almost. There was a bakery there JUST FOR DOGS. Mind is blown. They had this canine suitable version of peanut butter.

There was also a chocolatier and candy specialist store. With things like these.

I cannot believe anyone could sit through eating one of these without making themselves ill.But I can imagine a number of people trying.

The car shot as we start heading into the coastal mountain area.

Our view for dinner. There’s no words really. Everyone should try it one day.

This is what is called a HALF basket of fries. I think perhaps the FULL basket size needs a rethink. Should it really be able to feed a family of four now?

The view from the car – no wonder there are signs around telling drivers to watch the road. I bet there’s successful lawsuits out there clearing careless drivers of blame because the scenery was so distracting.

Must be tough living out here looking at this everyday.

No LA Driving Experience is replete without a taste of LA traffic. Speculating on the cause of traffic does while away the time I must admit, but proves fruitless in gaining any insight to the reason behind the “traffic” in the first place.

We landed here in Monterey around quarter to 10 at night. Tomorrow the last couple hours into San Francisco!