There are things about camping that always seem to end up the same way. For example, it has become a tradition to arrive late at night, to build the tent in the dark, to freeze until morning and to discover the surroundings only on the following day. It is also not unusual that we leave the path during our hikes and finally end up taking the hardest way to our destination. What was different this time, was the warm welcome we received from the 'locals', also known as mosquitoes, who undoubtedly appreciated their festive lunch. But the beauty of the scenery was well worth the sacrifice.

With our busy schedule it has been quite hard to bring PP and KK together for a weekend. But we finally managed to do that on the 4th of July weekend and spent our first evening in Santa Cruz in a delightful restaurant called 'Chocolat'. We then headed down to Monterey and drove along 17 Mile Drive all the way to Pebble Beach and Carmel. No doubt, it is an amazing place and I can't believe I had never been there after 5 years! Makes us wish we were not that busy ...