KathyWdrf is the only person who is not going to Tor House, but is going to Point Lobos. The Crossroads shopping center is the perfect place for us to rendezvous.

Kathy, are you driving down to Monterey? Or carpooling?

Nepenthe, or somewhere in the area. There are several options which I can't remember. right now. That is my plan for Saturday afternoon, would welcome company.

If the weather is nice, we would go to Nepenthe with you Saturday.

Good point! Plus as an avid travel photographer I'd be doing my readers a disservice if I didn't have some daylight Monterey pics.

But you should definitely be well-rested for the drive. It's harrowing at some spots and you'll be oceanside going south.

I would love to say we'll meet you, but I don't want to box us into a time frame for exploring the park. But we'll talk about it Friday night.

I'll get enough sleep and I only have to go as far as Lompoc. I'm still young and coffee still works :D

But I appreciate you looking out for me.

Great! My goal is not Nepenthe per se, but Big Sur itself. There's a lot to see, much of it not very accessible. I want to explore, have no idea where to start.

lili at Nepenthe
 

We would be looking to sit on the patio and have lunch at Nepenthe but Mr. Karen2 might like a hike at Big Sur. Then I would read a book on the patio. What time did you intend to go to Nepenthe? Or inside if it is cold....;)

Gosh, so many nice places, but here's one that might be to your taste, dunno: Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (not to be confused with Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park) is towards the north end of the Big Sur territory (about 30 miles short of Carmel). This is in a forested stretch where CA-1 goes inland a few miles from the coast, and very lush. You turn east into the park ($10 entrance fee), drive down and to the right just a short ways (1/4 mile, I think), and you're at the banks of the Big Sur River, at a place where it has hollowed out a natural swimming pool.

I chanced on that spot after a hot summer morning hiking in Pinnaces National Monument, and soaked my headache away in the cool water, leaving me forever grateful. Of course, on account of the drought, I'm not sure what condition the pool is in, let alone the famous waterfall further into the park. (Apparently, walking upstream, you can find an even nicer swimming spot, called 'The Gorge Swimming Hole' on Yelp.)

Rather more demanding, and not feasible unless you have a whole day to devote, is Sykes Hot Springs, a long hike through the Ventana Wilderness, and not somewhere to just walk to on a lark, but rewarding if you're prepared (sunscreen, Deet, lots of drinking water, plenty of time). It's a natural, volcanic-fueled hot springs.

You're a tourist, so it's fine for you to stop and gawk at Bixby Creek Bridge and its stunning natural setting. Best photographing spot is on Old Coast Road, the well-maintained dirt road branching off from Highway One just north of the highway after you cross the bridge. Go onto Old Coast Road and proceed 1/2 mile for the best view. You can then keep going, and the road rejoins CA-1 10.5 miles south at Andrew Molera State Park, after going through beautiful redwood forest with sweeping ocean views.

Oh, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, much further south from its sister state park, sports an 80-foot waterfall, McWay Falls, tumbling down to a cove of the ocean. It's a stunner, and well worth the 1/3 mile walk from the highway.

I've never yet stopped at the Henry Miller Library, but I'll bet it's worth your while.

One place I'd personally skip is the Nepenthe Restaurant, which just didn't grab me (despite the really great view), and their Ambrosia Burgers are overpriced and nothing special. (But there may be aspects of the place I've not yet learned to appreciate, and perhaps other places in Nepenthe that appeal.)

Congrats on your first post, redrick. It's not too late to join us this weekend.

These days, you go to Nepenthe for the patio and the view, not the Ambrosia burger. Another easy walking trail is Andrew Molera State Park, on the right going south. There's a parking lot off the highway and a nice walk through a eucalyptus grove out to the coastal cliffs. I camped there somewhat regularly 20 years ago.

Anyway, dress for our restaurant meals is dressy casual.

I wish you all safe travels. Forty-nine hours and counting!

PS - PM for my cell number if I haven't already sent it.

Hi all! I've been a bit quiet in this thread, but I'm looking forward to meeting you. I'm planning to take it pretty easy for the weekend, so I've only signed up for the meals so far. I'm going to arrive Friday evening and depart Saturday after dinner.

Unfortunately, the weather forecast has generated a little bit of uncertainty for me. I'll be flying myself and, while a little rain isn't bad, clouds combined with freezing levels below 5,000 feet can be more problematic. I'm optimistic, but I wanted to apologize in advance if I have to cancel at the last minute.

See you soon!

Oh wow, I posted before checking the wiki. Nice to see redrick and repeat offenders, I mean attenders, deirdre +1.

I will update our reservations numbers. ^

The weekend weather forecast has been fluctuating a little, including a slight chance of rain Saturday. At the moment, it looks good with temps in the mid-to-high 60s and no rain. Tomorrow and Friday are going to be 70F. The evenings will be a little chilly in the mid-50s.

Of course, you Bay Area folks know how it is.

I've heard reports from a couple people in Pacific Grove that the Monarch butterflies have begun arriving. I don't think they will disappoint whatever their numbers.