Big Sur!

I visited Monterey over the July 4th weekend. I came on my own. The kids stayed home and my husband carried the torch for 4th of July. Not being my favorite holiday, I was happy to leave Roseville behind to visit the land of fog and drizzle.
My time here that weekend was bittersweet. Every time I looked at the news feed online or went into town for coffee or pastry (http://www.parker-lusseaupastries.com/home.htm) I would hear of the fire.
Fires raged all over the Big Sur area, sweeping down over the mountains and right to the road. Businesses were sprayed with fire-retardant gel. We waited for word and listened wistfully as we heard the stats relating to the containment of the fire.
I was worried that Nepenthe, this fantastic. iconic restaurant and gift shop would be lost to the flames. I heard stories that the owner refused to go when the evacuation order was given.
So, it was hard to be here. My dad fought forest fires when I was a kid. He even fought them in the nearby Carmel Valley. It was quite a trip to come here, 15 years later, when I first moved to California and see where he fought those long ago fires.
It is about three weeks later now and the kids and I went to Big Sur today.
We visited the hard to find Pfeiffer Beach. I love that beach. Hidden away at the end of a winding road, it is secluded enough that there are not hoards of people. Today there were several small groups, couples, dogs, kids. The beach was lovely and the kids dug, chased waves and rolled down the hill.
We had lunch at Nepenthe. The 5 year old had what she claimed to be the best Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich EVER!!! The views were stunning.
We swung into Pfeiffer Big Sur State park to look at the river and the falls. Sadly, we found that most of the park is closed. The trails in some cases are non-existent. The hillsides are bare, except for the shadows of ash left over from the fire fight.
There are signs everywhere thanking the fire crews. Spirits are high and businesses are busy. It was nice to see the area in recovery.
I paused to think of other parts of California. Right now in Paradise, in northern California, there are many many homes lost. There is devastating damage. Sadly, Paradise, despite it's name, is not a huge tourist destination. There is less money coming into the area and less attention being paid to it as a result.
So, to the residents and the crews, my thoughts go out to all of you.