San Luis Reservoir to Big Sur
Getting up was easy knowing we had warm showers awaiting us. Mitch headed to investigate before breakfast and returned with the disappointing news that the pay showers were out of hot water (pay for a cold shower, I don’t think so) but as a consolation the campground was offering free hot showers in the second loop that was closed for the season. It was obvious no one had been over there in awhile. Piles of dead bugs laid like dirt clumps on the path. Mitch checked the first stall, a dead decomposing bird seemed to have exploded its feathers everywhere, gross. But the second stall seemed clean and the hot water worked!!!! He jumped in the water cleaning and scrubbing a week of no shower away, but then halfway through he noticed something in the corner by the door, another dead animal? No this one was coiled and very much alive! He watched it and the snake watched him, he quickly finished the shower, stood up on the bench to gather his things, then simultaneously jumped and opened the door at the same time to pass over the snake who was blocking the escape. Hurriedly he changed outside then rushed to find me before I too encountered the same fate. He found me back at the van still tucked in warm blankets, and recounted his story. Now how was I supposed to shower? But Mitch remembered there was a third stall he had not yet checked since the second seemed clear. We fearfully walked back to the site of the incident and sure enough the snake now poked its head from the shower door, toward the third shower. I entered the dimly lit room shaking and worried that something would pop out at any moment. Mitch stood guard to be sure the snake didn’t get any bright ideas. Rushing through my shower I could hear a truck pull up on the gravel. The rangers walked over to Mitch quickly mentioned the snake. Visibly afraid herself, one ranger, returned with the long handled clamper things, opened the door and picked it up while identifying it as a young rattler!! I’d pay for a cold shower any day over showering with a rattle snake!! Quickly we decided perhaps it was our cue to leave. Headed west to Monterey Bay, stopped at a beach access to watch the wild waves rush the shore. Ate some lunch in Carmel-by-the-Sea, cruised on highway 1 along the breaking waves and turning cliffs, finishing our day at Big Sur. met an awesome gentlemen, Nicholas who has Robin’s twin 81′ same stunning color and everything! We got a primo spot along the river shaded by Redwood trees. Rock hoping over huge boulders up stream was fun and beautiful, we sat on a rock between two baby waterfalls and rested awhile. Wandered back to the van for dinner and books before bed.
