At 7:18 am we pack up from room 61 at the Big Sur Lodge, and head north on Highway 1. We had reservations for another night, and had fully looked forward to hiking--really it's more like strolling--in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, seeing the mind-boggling McWay Waterfall with its 80-foot drop into the ocean, and taking our favorite Andrew Molera Trail out to the bluffs overlooking the Pacific.

But when we woke up this morning, we were both sort of surprised that we agreed, Been there, done that.

For those reading this blog in anticipation of your upcoming road trip--Charles, Judith, Noelle, to name just a few--these places in Big Sur are some of my favorite places on the planet. So much so that in the almost-8 years Ed and I have known each other this was our 5th trip to Big Sur! However, for us we wanted to get to the parts of the road trip that will be a new experience.

A note about where we stayed. The first time we came to Big Sur the only place we could get a room was at the Big Sur Lodge, which is smack in the middle of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. We were disappointed we couldn't get into the swanky Post Ranch, and that Ventana, the other nice place in the area, was closed for renovation.

But over the years we've fallen in love with the Big Sur Lodge. It's a little like Motel 6, but they have spruced the rooms up. A bit. But it's totally outdoorsy, and that's what we have come to Big Sur for.