Day 3 - Day 5: Pacific coast, Big Sur, Yosemite
After the hustle-bustle of LA, and the overstatement of Universal Studios, this was a welcome escape. Cruising up the Pacific Coast Highway ("PCH") from Malibu to Big Sur really is quite spectacular.
Stopped off at San Luis Obispo for lunch in the famous "Apple Farm Inn".
The pictures below don't do justice to the areas - especially not Yosemite - and the contrast between our pretty and cosy cabin at Big Sur, and the MASH style "tent cabin" at Yosemite couldn't have been greater...
Big Sur Campground and coastline. The cabin in the first shot was idyllic - this Campground is highly recommended (review here):
We were reluctant to leave Big Sur, and now wish we'd had time to stay longer, but Yosemite beckoned and at least we got these views on the way. The water feature is the San Luis Obispo reservoir, San Francisco's water supply...it's hooj...
Yosemite is an impressive place - though it probably needs a lot more time devoted to it to explore properly. We had just 2 days and 2 nights (spent in a less than basic tent cabin - no pics fortunately!!), but here's what we squeezed in:
Some of the first views are of a quite alien landscape - lots of white granite contrasting with evergreen forest...
During our only full day in the park, we hiked the mile or two to Vernal Fall...normally much heavier than shown here (being the end of Summer). The weird formation of North Dome contrasts with regular wildlife (who tried to share our sandwiches!!)...
Last but certainly not least, two of the popular icons and landmarks of Yosemite...Halfdome seen through the giant redwoods, and The Cathedral, looming over meadows...
