the view, our view, was SPECTACULAR!

and the atmosphere was delightful,

On the advice of a

work colleague we decided to stop at Nepenthe in Big Sur for lunch. Roger and I had the house favorites, Ambrosia Burger and Turkey, avocado and Bacon. And while the food was yummy,

We could have easily

stopped at every wayside on Route 1, it was so beautiful. My pictures do not do it justice. . .

While we saw evidence of some recent rock slides

we were thankful that there were none while we were traveling North on Highway 1.

Our next stop

was the largest elephant seal rookery on the west coast just south of the Piedras Blanca Light. December through February is the birthing and breeding season for the pinapeds. Although we didn't see any birthing or breeding we saw nursing, fighting, sleeping, vocalizing and flipping sand. In the photo with the fence you can barely see the lighthouse on the right of the picture. It was constructed in 1875 and in 1975 it was automated, it is still an active aid to navigation.