Oh Big Sur, How I Miss Thee!

Dirt and mis-matched tableware aside, I love camping. I love Big Sur. Every time we go back it feels like going home. This year was really special because it was our first time back since the Big Sur fires last summer. We actually had to cancel our trip because our campground was on fire. We were all definitely concerned about how much it might be changed. We also had to stay at a different campground this year, so that was a bit strange. For the most part the trees were all in tact, and everything was just as awe-inspiring as it always is. Eric and I did take a hike that really impressed us with the fragility of the forest, but also with the incredible adaptability that nature comes equipped with. We took about five hundred pictures, so I think I’ll have to group them by category to share. This post will be the best of the nature photos!

Beautiful and ancient redwoods.

Here's what happens when forests burn.

Luckily, redwoods are incredibly fire-resistant.

Eventually the new foliage around the base of a charred redwood will grow into giant clusters of trees. And in a hundred years or so they’ll look just like this:

These lovely giants were once tiny buds at the base of a charred tree!

Nature never ceases to amaze me.

Tomorrow I’ll post some more goodies, like this:

Petina's first visit to the beach was a complete success!

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Campin!

It’s a whirlwind of laundry and packing over here, but I didn’t want to leave without a quick goodbye! I’ll be back on Monday, with photos of the gorgeous California coast and redwoods, and probably doggies in cute sweaters. Until then let me leave you with a little cuteness to tide you over!

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A little camping inspiration . . .

It’s that time of year again. What time of the year is that? Time for Camping! Every summer my whole family treks up the coast to Big Sur to revel in the majesty of the glorious redwoods and ocean . . . and to toast marshmallows. We put aside squabbles (something we don’t even do for Christmas) and just relax and enjoy each others’ company. Our yearly trip has been the highlight of my year as long as I can remember. The only thing that taints those memories is the utter lack of loveliness in our campsite itself. I mean, yes part of camping is enjoying nature, but why does that mean neglecting aesthetics and style?

When I was a little girl it was easy to fantasize away the blue and khaki nylon camp gear and replace it with mini palaces carved into the giant trees. I always imagined a grander way to camp. As I got older I realized that once upon a time people did camp more grandly. William Randolph Hearst spent childhood summers camping with his mother’s very special camping china, not to mention an army of servants to do all the real work. What I wanted was something in between that kind of camping and khaki and red nylon chairs.

Now I’m a grown up and I have quite a bit more control over the style in which I camp (I’m still having trouble finding the camping china and the servants) and I declare war on khaki nylon! I’ve begun the process, but until my Renaissance-Fair-meets-Strawberry-Shortcake tent gets made, here’s a little list of stuff I wish I’d ordered in time to camp:

Lovely Girl Scout canteen from Sweetshorn.

Red enamel mugs from 5 Gardenias.

And of course, what fun would camping be without a slingshot or two?

Slingshots by Katesy.

I do think I’ve found some inspiration even if I didn’t have time to make purchases! Maybe next year . . .

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