Spring Break in California

For our last hurrah as a two-some we I decided that I wanted to go on a big trip during my week-off from work for spring break.  We had hoped to go to South Carolina but the price of plane tickets nixed that idea. After considering what was within driving distance we decided to head to the west coast where I was hoping to get in my ocean fix for the next long while.  While the ocean was beautiful, the mist, wind, and rain kept us from enjoying is quite as much as I would have liked.  We still had a good time visiting on Easter with Lewis and Natalie Gunter in San Jose and then spending the rest of the week with Seth and Kim Smith (formerly Stephenson- a former mission companion).  Kim and Seth live in Daly City just outside of San Francisco so Jared and I spent a Monday wandering the city and Tuesday we took off with Seth and Kim down the coast and enjoyed the beautiful redwoods and scenic coastline. We camped in a few different State Parks and enjoyed a few hikes.  It was a great trip with great company!

Salt flats. This was the only thing that was picture worthy from Salt Lake City to Lake Tahoe (sorry Nevada). 

Bay Bridge

When we first drove on the Golden Gate Bridge I thought we weren't even going to be able to see it...

But then 2 seconds later the fog was gone!  (Nice crack in the windshield, huh?)

The Bay

San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge

Random lighthouse and tractor along the coast

There was some pretty scenery along highway 1, despite the lack of sunshine.

The sun finally came back (for a little while, at least)! Jared was so excited about it he tried to take a picture, but a giant redwood got in the way. Dang trees. Oh yeah, this is in Big Sir State Park.

Hiking in the misty woods of Limekiln State Park.

Pretty waterfall in Limekiln State Park

Jackets quickly became superfluous when the clouds cleared. And boy what a view from Buzzards Roost in Big Sir! We didn't see any buzzards roosting, but the radio tower and maintenance shack were totally worth the hike. . .