In typical form, I spent two hours getting my stuff sorted and packing my bike, then set off into SF for a follow-up visit to Samy's Camera to buy a replacement tripod quick-release plate. Today was all about the possible sunset photo, and I wasn't going to risk being unequipped. My first sightseeing stop was Half Moon Bay, to check out the legendary Mavericks big wave surf break. I followed GPS through the town, noticing a distinct absence of signage, and found the parking lot at the base of Pillar Point Bluffs. |
My second planned photo-stop was Bixby Bridge, approaching Big Sur. I unknowingly stopped at a bridge just north of Bixby, which is of the same design. I hurriedly snapped a few shots and carried on, as I wanted to get to Pfeiffer Beach for sunset, and I knew I'd be back to the bridge(s) tomorrow morning due to Hwy. 1 being closed to the south due to a rockslide.
I turned one road early for Pfeiffer Beach, and immediately found myself trapped behind a steel gate spanning the entire road. I didn't even notice it going in, but after noticing my GPS track was slightly off and turning around, the gate had automatically closed and the sensor wouldn't detect me to let me out! There was no phone number, no manual release, nothing. I momentarily thought an overbearing landowner had deliberately trapped me for my wrong turn, but it turned out to be a private drive into a residential area, and to my good fortune, there was a man across the highway chopping firewood who knew the code to let me out. (Phew! I might still be there!)
Because of recent rains, I had to bypass about 4 "Road Closed" signs and navigate a small creek crossing on the Pfeiffer Beach access road, however the lumberjack had told me the road was in fine shape and that the signs were just the county absolving itself of rescue liability. Hmm. I parked in the desolate lot and sprinted out to the beach just in time to be mostly disappointed.
For dinner, I ate all three of today's meals in one sitting at Nepenthe. Couldn't make out the view, but in a dining room with probably 120 seats, it was just me and a couple from Miami, and I ate sitting beside the central wood fire and shook off the day's chill.
Day total: 310 km, 7h15m Trip total: 4,972 km | Start: Orinda, CA. End: Big Sur, CA. Soundtrack: Shuffle, mostly. |