Best Campsite Views

6/17/2018

Yesterday’s unplanned campsite and exploration deep into Los Padres National Forest was the best decision we could have made. We were a bit apprehensive at first, because we really didn’t know what to expect or if there would be camping available, but it turned out pretty damn well. 

We hung out at the campsite for a bit, tossing the frisbee and rock jumping by the creek. On our way to get firewood last night, we found a perfect swimming spot, so we headed there after cleaning up our campsite. The creek was amazing; it actually looked like something someone would landscape into their backyard (assuming they had the cash). The water wasn’t freezing, which is a first for this trip, so we could actually lay in the shallow creek without losing feeling in our extremities. 

After getting a nice red burn in my almost see-thru pale thighs we were ready to drive back down through the mountains to get to the coast. Yesterday was fair cloudy/foggy in the curvy cliff side road, but today was spectacular. We didn’t know what to expect when we left, but the clear skies stayed true all the way to the coastal campsite. The views we had throughout the drive down were unbelievable, so we stopped a few times to snag some pictures. As usual, the pictures can’t capture the ridiculousness of it. 

It was late afternoon by the time we checked into our campsite, so we wandered down the trail to the rough, rocky beach. The water here is super rough, which isn’t super surprising considering it’s the Pacific Ocean. We didn’t swim (shocking, I know!), but we already swam today so it’s alright. 

The campsite charges $5 for some water, and $12 for a bundle of wood (a normal bundle, not some large bundle of wood), so we filtered our water at the creek and bought one overpriced wood bundle so we could enjoy a fire tonight. 

After cooking up some farro, veggies, and mussels (Patagonia Provisions is the best, you won’t regret buying anything from them), we cleaned up, watched the sun set over the water and behind the mountains, and started a fire. We made it through the one bundle of wood and called it a night. 

Tonight was a no-fly night for us, so in the middle of the night when we woke up, you could see a sky full of stars. If possible, no fly is the only way to camp when it’s a clear night (or even if it’s not clear). 

Full disclosure - this wasn’t taken on 6/17 🙀

Tomorrow we leave the beautiful, beautiful section of the country for LA to meet up with Kevin and Dante for a few days!! Super excited to hang with those two goons, and also meet up with a high school friend Sakmar, who I haven’t seen in ages!