California Love: Seaside Sandwiches in Big Sur
Wow, What a View
Do you think it’s possible to tire of looking at the Pacific Ocean from the seat of your motorcycle? I had plenty of time to ponder that question while Kenny and I rode south on the PCH.
This was our second time riding down the coast from San Francisco. I was happy to find that the water crashing against the craggy rocks was as exciting as it had been the first time we’d made the trek.
Throughout our 200-mile coastal leg, we rode in and out of silvery fog and bright blue skies. The air hung cooly, sending a chill across the knuckles of my summer gloves. The weather contrasted star to the blazing heat we’d come down out of at the Lick Observatory.
Happy, Happy Birthday, Baby
This day was extra special because it was Kenny’s birthday. Though he’s always said he doesn’t want anything for his birthday, it pains me to observe his wishes. However, I took pleasure in knowing that he was spending the day doing something he loved, in a place dear to his heart.
Seaside Sandwiches in Big Sur
We quietly celebrated the day with a special lunch. While stopped at the Lucia Lodge store in Big Sur, we picked up ham and cheese croissants from the freezer case. We heated them up in a well-worn microwave whose digital numbers were no longer visible. Admittedly, I didn’t have high hopes, but we were both rather hungry.
We took our lunch onto the deck and ate overlooking the water. It was just the two of us and the sound of rolling waves below.
And wouldn’t you know it? The seaside sandwiches were delicious.
Now, I don’t know if the sandwiches really were super-good, or maybe they’d been sprinkled with magical sunshine only found on Highway 1. Or, who knows? Maybe the birthday fairy made a perfect moment for us. Whatever the case, I couldn’t have asked for anything better.
There is something special about riding the Pacific Coast Highway. If you haven’t done it, you owe it to yourself. There are perfect moments just waiting for you.
I’d rather a microwaved sandwich with Lucia Lodge’s view than a month’s worth of fancy dinners at The Four Seasons 🙂
Wishing Kenny a Happy Birthday — and 364 days in between that are just as great.
Yea – dare i say? It was pretty romantic in a very “real” way 🙂
Fuzzy:
Your first photo brings back memories of our trip to Big Sur during June, 2011. Not long ago but now a distant memory. We stopped at that same pullout and snapped a few photos but it was foggy the day we were there
looks like you are having great weather
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
Heya Bob 🙂
isnt it funny that you can absolutely identify those pullout spots? Even in the fog, i’m sure it was still a great ride.
Gorgeous pictures! I think the sandwiches tasted good because of where you were and that you were enjoying yourselves. I have driven down the Oregon Coast towards California and it was breathtaking. It wasn’t on a motorcycle though, but it is on my list to do in the near future now.
Thanks, Dar-
You have a whole new world of possibility opening up to you. I can’t wait to see your motorcycle pictures along the coast one day soon 🙂
I’m a pretty simple guy – no fufu meals with tiny portions and exotic names, filled with special ingredients from some faraway place. Gimme a ham and cheese on a croissant made with love, serve it from some hideaway place on the side of the road, and deliver it with a picturesque setting on the coast with my sweet at my side and I’m far happier than I’d ever be in some hoitey toitey pretentious dump. Those moments I will remember far longer than some sorry-assed foie gras crap served by a tuxedo-covered douchebag.
That place was great – the sandwich was great – the company was perfection – and who cares about some arbitrary day that happened to be the day I was born, but 180 years later.
…just one of the many reasons that i love you <3
I love Kenny, too. Not like Fuzzy, but just because he’s cool. He leaves great comments like this one. AND he used one of my favorite words… “douchebag”!
😆 You’d get sick of the word “douchebag” pretty quick living around here!
Kenny saved my life <3 He is amazing.
Happy Birthday to Kenny! I couldn’t think of a better way to spend someones birthday then riding out there. I agree with what he is saying too about fancy meals, i’ll take a good cheesburger and some fries with friends in a cool area any day.
OR… peanut butter and jelly 😉
Or just peanut butter! 😀
YES! Or Goober! 🙂
I’m going to buy you a case of Goober for Christmas. I’ll make sure to check and see if they come in travel size.