Day 13 - Monterey, CA

On the morning of Day 13, we packed up our camping gear and got ready to head out of Big Sur.  We were sad to leave, but knew there were more adventures ahead...and we put Big Sur on our list of "Places We Must Visit Again"!

Soon after hitting Highway 1, we found our way to the Bixby Bridge.

The Bixby Bridge is one of the most famous along the Pacific coast.  Construction began on it in 1931 and lasted just over one year.  The total cost of its construction came in at just under $200,000!  Prior to its construction, the residents of Big Sur were virtually cut off from nearby Monterey and towns north during winter due to impassible inland roads.  It is beautiful!

About a half an hour up the road, we came to Carmel River State Beach.  It was a great spot to get out and stretch our legs and check out the scenery.  This beautiful 1-mile stretch of coast does not allow swimming or wading due to the strong currents which can be extremely dangerous.  The water off the beach looks especially calm due to the steep drop-off near the shore, but is especially dangerous because of the undertow that could easily trap a person underwater.

Look at that calm surf - deceptive...  

Dan's a rule breaker - livin' on the edge.

The beach is wonderful for walking and digging!  The sand is big and coarse, like tiny little pebbles.  We all had fun just sitting on the beach and digging our hands into the endless sand.  

If you can, zoom in on the sand stuck to this shovel.  It's amazing!

After a little playtime at the beach, we hopped back in the car and headed for the 17-Mile Drive around Pebble Beach.  Everything we read before the trip said that the drive around Pebble Beach on this toll road was totally worth the $10.  We agree!  Although we are not golfers, we could definitely appreciate the unique beauty of this peninsula.  

The Lone Cypress - 250 years old!