NO FREE LUNCH

80% of the California State Parks are in danger of being shut down. I'm sure it's alot of politicians puffin up (like lizards in Florida in Aug.) and beating their chests but some will be cut off/shut down.

Patty puts in 20/25 hours a week working in the park and another 20 hours in the yacht charters.

Mike from Canada, Debbie from Ojai their daughter Sarah and pooch Nikki. Mike has been a camphost with Patty this summer.

SANDDOLLAR

This is Sand Dollar Beach, about 30 miles south of where we live. Where Patty and I met Andy and Sarah. There was nobody out on a half mile stretch of beach with glassy chest to head high plus waves spread over 4 breaks. I found Andy checking out conditions with Sarah on a bluff overlooking the bay. I asked him if he was going to paddle out and he replied "I will if you are" and so began a friendship as a result of our mutual love surfing. Patty commented later that we both rAn back to the parking lot to grab our boards smiling from ear to ear.

A little further south of the following photo..assbackwards,,is Sanddollar Beach, a great wave and beautiful beach (look it up under travel on surfline).

Just another spectacular piece of the Big Sur coast.

Esalen Institute

The other night I (Patty) had the opportunity to visit this wonderful place - Esalen Institute. It is place where people come from all over the world to zen out for a week or so and pay a lot of money to do it. They have workshops, gardens and best of all hot springs. They allow "locals" to use the hot springs from 8-10pm for only $5. So me and 5 other ladies from park went. It was magnificent. We enjoyed the hot therapeutic water on the edge of the cliffs overlooking the ocean. I think I'll bring Spike next time.

MICRO CLIMATES

You drive down a one lane road for 2 miles to reach the beach. although it's paved max speed=10mph and many spots less than 5. It's 75 degrees. walking the 25 yard sandy path leading to the surf you 1st feel the temps dip maybe 15 degrees then the winds start whipping the sand. and the dawn patrol is done as you watch a 25 knot NW wind creating a sea odf white caps. Meanwhile back at rig in Big Sur park it's flip flops and shorts, dead calm and Patty, Rico and I are headed to the pool to swim laps.

THE HAUTE ENCHILADA CAFE AND GALLERY

As a kid in the 1950's my dad took me to many old fishing villages and ports in search of old boat parts and good waves. One that stuck in my mind is Moss Landing between Carmel and Santa Cruz. It has not changed. What little changes Patty and I did find was for the better. Still a sleepy commercial fishing port with life in 2009 bypassing it out on Hwy One. We had lunch at one of the few changes. I found similarities between a place called "THE HAUTE ENCHILADA" and "CAFE SURFINESTA."

This Establishment and Cafe Surfinesta seemed related separated only by 3500 miles and theme. Cafe Surfinesta is much more..more in your face creatively as is the world of surfing whereas the restaurant in Moss Landing is laid back Mexico.

Brock inspecting The CaFe suRFiNeSTa

Patty holding her computer out of the window in hopes of getting enough bars to send a charter contract to a client. And YES..we do have an exterior booster antenna mounted on the roof.

Big Sur has not changed much since the Big Sur folk festival in the late 1960's.

THE RICO REPORT for BIG SUR

SURF: 5 to 7 ft.

surface conditions: glass
I did a visual on the way to work and it's looking mighty fine.

NUGGET'S NEW FRIENDS

On my drive back to California I spent a night in Houston visiting La Familia. My Mama inlaw fed me fine Colombian cuisin, My Pop inlaw had chilled dark rum and my sisInLaw, Sandra introduced me to my brand spakin new niecy, Breanna. I learned her favorite position to be held and that is the same as running down field with a football..just stick her along your forearm, press securly against side of stomach and GO!

We had company over for breakfast

bROCK rEYNOLDS aTe cAFe SURFInEStA