THURSDAY - 9-16-10 - PFEIFFER BIG SUR STATE PARK

We are awakened in the dead of night to the sound of yet another RV alarm going off.  This time it is the monoxide detector – no, we aren’t getting asphyxiated – but the alarm indicates the voltage is too low for the alarm to work properly.  This means the “house” battery is flat.

So far we have had the smoke detector go off several times just because something is heating on the stove, the monoxide detector has tripped several times while running the generator (fumes blowing into the RV), and now a screeching alarm that tells us we have no voltage from the house battery.  Fred disconnects the battery to stop the alarm and we go back to sleep.

We arise early and start the RV motor so we can turn on the heater to warm up the RV.  After all, we aren’t running the generator before 10 am, only the RV engine. WRONG.  Within minutes the campground host screeches his golf cart to a dust billowing halt in front of our campsite. This guy is good – does he have spies in the woods?  He informs Fred that the rule also includes “car engines or any noise before 10 am.” He leaves and Fred reluctantly turns off the engine.

Fog bank coming to shore. Hwy 1

Fortunately it ran just long enough to take the chill off the RV.  As we sit enjoying our morning meal, three Park Ranger vehicles pull up to the site next to us.  The three rangers get out and confer.  I turn to Fred, “See, I told you our neighbors are a band of Gypsies and not to be trusted.”  Yesterday when we walked to the showers Fred and I had a “discussion” about whether or not to lock up the RV.  I stated my case “TO LOCK” because of this rather suspicious group next to us.  Fred stated his case “NOT TO LOCK” because no one in the campground is going to walk over and loot our stuff in broad daylight.  Now, before our very eyes, my case “TO LOCK” is unquestionably being justified.  I rest my case your honor.

The three park rangers linger a while and then head in our direction.  The tall, and I might add rather attractive salt & pepper haired young ranger, walks up to Fred and asks him if we heard anything unusual last night.  I want to say, “You mean other than the hungry little skunk rummaging through our trash again – the trash we once again forgot to empty before going to bed?”  But I decide not.  Fred answers, “No, is anything wrong?”  The ranger gives a just-the-facts answer, “Not necessarily, just inquiring.”

 He then looks Fred straight in the eyes and says, “By the way, we’re told you were running your generator the other morning before 10 am and this morning your RV motor.  Just a reminder, all motors, engines, and generators are to be off until 10 am.”  Fred explains all the necessary and justifiable reasons for our rule breaking, but the ranger is unimpressed.

As they drive away we can’t help but wonder if Fred’s photo is now pinned up on the Park Headquarters Office wall under “Generator Violators – Use Extreme Caution”.   Obviously we are now on the “naughty” list with two red check marks against us.  Is there a Three Strikes Rule enforced here?  We decide we had better mind our Ps and Qs and not take a chance.  We will be leaving in 24 hours and hopefully can stay out of trouble that long.  We wait until 10:01, check our watches for accuracy, and turn on the generator.

Highway 1 Heading to Limekiln State Park

The remainder of the morning is spent doing general housekeeping chores.

We head for town and WiFi and lunch.  The weather is bright and sunny and very warm.  Once again we choose the Big Sur Inn patio on the river and this time share the wild salmon sandwich with chipotle mayo – fantastic!

We hop into the VW and head south on Highway 1 for the afternoon.  We are heading for Limekiln State Park – just because it sounds interesting and neither of us has ever been there.  We are glad we are not driving the RV.  Much of this stretch of Highway 1 is in bad shape and under repair.  Many areas are only one lane.  

The Kilns

Limekiln Park is in a deep canyon on the mountain-side of the highway.  We walk a fern lined path for a half-mile to the kilns.  They look so peculiar in the forest - huge and rusting.  Built in 1887 by the Rockland Lime and Lumber Company, limestone rocks were loaded into the kilns, where very hot wood fires burned for long periods to purify the lime.  After only three years, the limestone deposits were depleted as was the surrounding redwood forest that had been used for the wood fires.  A rather sad story, but today the canyon is lush and green and dotted with redwoods and other towering trees.

We return north on Highway 1 and the sun is setting.  We stop at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park to photograph the very famous waterfall that cascades onto the beach.  The light is beautiful and we take several shots hoping to recreate the spectacular scene.

Pfeiffer Waterfall

It is getting dark as we wind our way home.  A huge RV passes us heading south and we are aghast.  We comment how we would NEVER drive an RV over this road, much less in the dark.  I tell Fred, “If I were his wife I would say, ‘Ok, but I’m taking a taxi, I’m not driving in this thing with you.”  Just then around the curve, following behind the RV is a TAXI!!!!  I kid you not. Honest to gosh truth.

We arrive back at the campsite and fix a light dinner.  No campfire tonight as we are pooped.  Lights out around 9:30.