Travel

a photographic trip to big sur

her travel essentials

Image 2 of 52

I haven’t washed my hair in days….and have mini bruises on each of my hip bones.

There’s dirt where dirt should never be…and a bed has never felt so good.

But still, I kinda sorta miss the tent, the ocean breeze and my sleeping bag. I miss the forest and the seals and the sound of the waves crashing against the rock at three in the morning when I still laid awake on the ground. I miss the waffles and even (maybe) the chilly hike to the bathroom in my pajamas and boots.

Dare I say that I could maybe, just possibly, almost become a (gulp) camper?

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  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
    October 25, 2010 at 9:53 am

    I’ve never been camping and am not sure I would ever miss those things if I went, but you make it sound magical.

  • Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin
    October 25, 2010 at 9:55 am

    Wow awesome pictures!! I love the “dirt where there never should be” comment… been there, done that! πŸ™‚

  • Heather (Heather's Dish)
    October 25, 2010 at 9:58 am

    i never thought i’d like camping…i thought i was an urban girl all the way…but i adore it! i bet big sur would be perfect for it πŸ™‚

  • Taysa
    October 25, 2010 at 10:00 am

    Oooo…I love looking at your pictures this way! And I’ve heard great things about that nest from friends you have slept there overnight. It seems completely magical (though admittedly they had better weather.)

  • megan @ whatmegansmaking
    October 25, 2010 at 10:05 am

    I love camping. It’s a pain to set up, a pain to tear down, and everything is just so dirty…but still…there’s just something about it that’s addicting!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
    October 25, 2010 at 10:13 am

    Wow, your photos are beautiful Jenna! I like camping… but the fully-stocked-trailer kind, not so much the tent kind!

  • Jasmine @ Eat Move Write
    October 25, 2010 at 10:14 am

    My idea of camping is a clean Motel 6, but I can imagine that camping on the ocean is a pretty amazing thing. The trip sure resulted in some amazing pics.

  • Estela @ Weekly Bite
    October 25, 2010 at 10:23 am

    Love the pics!!

    I’m not a camper at all. I’ve tried so hard to like, But I need a ceiling, a floor, and electricity πŸ™‚

  • Hillary
    October 25, 2010 at 10:23 am

    It looks like you & A had the perfect, romantic weekend getaway πŸ˜‰

  • Mara @ What's For Dinner?
    October 25, 2010 at 10:26 am

    I’m pretty sure I could sleep on a rock in a paper bag in Big Sur and be happy…

  • tina
    October 25, 2010 at 10:27 am

    such great pics! looks like a blast!

  • Allie (Live Laugh Eat)
    October 25, 2010 at 10:42 am

    Haha I haven’t gone camping since my Girl Scout days. Definitely remember the hike to the latrine in PJ’s! Brrrr!

    Embrace your inner camper πŸ™‚

  • Dee
    October 25, 2010 at 10:46 am

    WOW – what lovely photos! Thanks for sharing them with us! πŸ™‚

  • Lauri (RedHeadRecipes.com)
    October 25, 2010 at 10:47 am

    LOVE the pictures!! I SO miss camping!! Hobo packs, campfires, s’mores, and that dreaded walk to the bathroom during the chilli morning hours! Miss it all!! Haven’t been in a few years πŸ™

  • Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga)
    October 25, 2010 at 10:51 am

    I love the pictures and so glad you had fun!!!

    I havent washed my hair in days…and I haven’t been camping. It’s just my usual pattern LOL πŸ™‚

    Seriously though, amazing set of pictures and no doubt, a great character-enhancing kind of experience…sleeping on rocks and all πŸ™‚

  • Kat@girlatastartup
    October 25, 2010 at 10:53 am

    Jenna I love all these pics. You are uber photogenic! Pls more videos!

  • Amanda
    October 25, 2010 at 10:53 am

    Camping can be trying at times, but the memories made can’t be beat!

  • Melissa @ Journey to Marvelous
    October 25, 2010 at 11:00 am

    Great photos, Jenna! It looks like you had a great time despite the rainy weather we had this weekend. πŸ™‚

  • eliza
    October 25, 2010 at 11:04 am

    I love camping and hiking and roughing it! so fun

  • Jaime
    October 25, 2010 at 11:12 am

    Great pictures and it looks like so much fun —- and that’s coming from a non-camper too!

  • Kt.
    October 25, 2010 at 11:12 am

    if you’ve gotta camp at least you did it in style……super cute pictures and the two of you look adorable, your Mom must be enjoying these pictures…..

    • Mom
      October 25, 2010 at 12:02 pm

      πŸ™‚

  • Lauren
    October 25, 2010 at 11:12 am

    God I love Big Sur. I grew up just up the coast from it on the Monterey Peninsula. You’re making me miss home!

  • grocery goddess coaching
    October 25, 2010 at 11:18 am

    You could definitely become a camper, Jenna! I love camping, even when I don’t love it, if you know what I mean. Awesome pics, too.

  • Becky
    October 25, 2010 at 11:20 am

    Looks like a great getaway! I’m not sure it’s officially camping if you get to have sushi for dinner and there’s a “lodge” and bathrooms, but whatever floats your boat is all good!! πŸ™‚

    • eatmovelove
      October 25, 2010 at 11:25 am

      LOL – hmm – you have a point there! Sounds like MY type of camping though πŸ™‚

    • jenna
      October 25, 2010 at 11:34 am

      hah! Almanzo says I’m spoiled now….

      • eatmovelove
        October 25, 2010 at 3:12 pm

        No – I say your SMART!! πŸ™‚

        • Becky
          October 26, 2010 at 7:19 am

          Definitely smart. Camping would be much more enjoyable if it didn’t involved rehydrated food from a bag, in my opinion! I can live without the toilets almost indefinitely (did it for a month straight once!), but at some point, a girl’s gotta have a class of Merlot and a hot meal!

  • eatmovelove
    October 25, 2010 at 11:24 am

    There’s nothing like stepping outside of your comfort zone and feeling like a million bucks…bruises and all!

    Love the mini-photography -cute!

  • Ashton Keefe
    October 25, 2010 at 11:25 am

    I’m so jealous it looks beautiful!

  • Hope
    October 25, 2010 at 11:32 am

    Hmm I am totally not a camper – but your trip looks great!

  • Camille
    October 25, 2010 at 11:47 am

    Beautiful photos Jenna!
    I voted for you today!

  • Ingunn
    October 25, 2010 at 11:47 am

    Yay! I love camping and backpacking. I recommend a Therm-a-Rest (or similar inflatable sleeping pad thingy) to avoid the bruised hips πŸ˜€

  • The Wife of a Dairyman
    October 25, 2010 at 11:50 am

    An air mattress is a definite must if you are to become a camper……I know I wouldn’t be able to sleep with out one:) What a fun time!

  • Megan
    October 25, 2010 at 11:56 am

    Jenna, would you please give me the name of the paint color you used on your sewing table? I love that shade of blue and have an accent table that I would like to refinish. Great pictures!!

    • jenna
      October 25, 2010 at 12:08 pm

      it’s slick blue from sherwin williams

      • megan
        October 25, 2010 at 12:44 pm

        Thank you soooo much!

  • Laughter-Loving Stacy
    October 25, 2010 at 12:21 pm

    I love camping! Yes, owning an air mattress is quite handy. πŸ™‚

  • Paige @Running Around Normal
    October 25, 2010 at 12:23 pm

    What gorgeous pictures! And I commend you if you are truly now a camper!

  • Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday
    October 25, 2010 at 12:25 pm

    I LOVE camping!

    and I loved looking at your pictures too! Looks like a blast.

  • rebecca lustig
    October 25, 2010 at 12:33 pm

    i’ve been wanting to go camping for months now, but it still hasnt happened!

    glad you had fun– and remember, not washing the hair is good for it! restores nutrients and keeps from drying out, haha πŸ™‚

    congrats on foodbuzz!

  • Lauren at KeepItSweet
    October 25, 2010 at 12:56 pm

    i’ve never been camping and am not really very outdoorsy but glad you had such a good experience!

  • Suzanne de Cornelia
    October 25, 2010 at 1:00 pm

    I was 24 & stretched on the sofa leafing thru French Elle, nibbling chocolate bon-bons, & admiring how my charm bracelet glittered in chards of sunlight–when thunderstruck with this epiphany: β€˜I’m the mother of a 7-year old son with a pet snake named Fang. We should go camping’.

    Sitting here now, all safe & snug behind my Mac laptop screen, it is a source of pride & disbelief that we survived all-that-came-next. All I can say is, Missy, that I wouldn’t put a tent so close to a cliff edge. I remember that bear…

    Congrats on a stellar project! Off to vote! Thanks for the retro memories ,) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2Ncxw1xfck

    • Mom
      October 25, 2010 at 4:57 pm

      Love this! Suzanne ~ I feel this through you!!! Totally relate…

  • Natalia - a side of simple
    October 25, 2010 at 1:27 pm

    Camping is so much fun! It honestly creates some of the best (and dare I say brutal?) memories. Laura would be prouda you!

  • Krystina (Organically Me)
    October 25, 2010 at 1:42 pm

    This post is ridiculously beautiful. I’ve always wanted to go camping.

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog)
    October 25, 2010 at 1:48 pm

    What a wonderful trip indeed!!!

  • Charise
    October 25, 2010 at 1:59 pm

    I love camping! Especially hiking in new places and hanging out around a campfire. We try to go twice a year, and make it at least once. But yeah, you definitely don’t sleep that well and are exhausted and ready for your real bed after a few days, even with an air mattress. Glad to see you had a good time!

  • Meaghen
    October 25, 2010 at 2:41 pm

    You should definitely become a camper! It’s one of my favourite things to do! I adore being outside. But an air mattress or thermarest is a must! I go camping just so I can eat an entire bag of roasted marshmallows to myself!

  • Jennifer Demartini
    October 25, 2010 at 3:16 pm

    Big Sur is my dream vacay spot!

  • Kelly
    October 25, 2010 at 3:47 pm

    Too fun! And I love how Adam was willing to play along…what a good sport! He’s a keeper….espcially since he lets you refer to him as Alamanzo.

  • Cathy B. @ Bright Bakes
    October 25, 2010 at 4:40 pm

    me and my Mister went camping for the first time this summer! Awesome…nothin’ like it! πŸ™‚
    love, cathy b. @ brightbakes

  • Sana
    October 25, 2010 at 4:47 pm

    Yeahhhh I am not a camping girl. I can be outdoors ALL day but I better be indoors for bed πŸ™‚

  • Shelley
    October 25, 2010 at 6:03 pm

    Great photo’s! I loved Big Sur when we were there earlier this year, such a beautiful place!

  • Lesley Lifting Life
    October 25, 2010 at 6:15 pm

    Wonderful photos!

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey
    October 25, 2010 at 6:24 pm

    you are SOOOO a camper!

    I will never EVER be a camper. EVER!!

  • Katryn@rampantcuisine
    October 25, 2010 at 6:37 pm

    Beautiful, beautiful post! Creative idea and so well-executed! Well done!

  • Liza
    October 25, 2010 at 6:53 pm

    You look so beautiful and happy Jenna!

  • Kerry
    October 25, 2010 at 7:12 pm

    Love the photos and the picnic! I am planning to visit Big Sur in a few weeks to run the Half Marathon-Thanks for the photos I am truly going to love it.
    Kerry-Manitoba, Canada

  • Lorin
    October 25, 2010 at 10:24 pm

    I love camping! At least you had a bathroom though :P. Sounds like a fun weekend! I went backpacking in big sur last weekend with a college group.

  • Kasey
    October 26, 2010 at 6:18 am

    Great pics!!! I have never been “really” camping with the sleeping bag & tent. Sounds like an adventure!

  • Kristina
    October 26, 2010 at 7:47 am

    There is actually a wonderful park around Big Sur – Andrew Molera State Park, which is a bit more rugged, perhaps. The campsites are a short hike in (so no car camping, which is nice), but it’s a lovely place. That would be “real” camping – no sushi and you’d have to pitch a tent. Sounds like you had a good introduction to camping, though.

  • Kristen
    October 26, 2010 at 7:51 pm

    I love your pictures. I like camping, but when I go I bring an air mattress and stay at places that have bathrooms and showers so I guess I don’t go do “real” camping, but I like my version of it.

  • Anna
    October 26, 2010 at 9:05 pm

    I LOVE Big Sur! Did you make it down to Ragged Point? It’s gorgeous too! Oh and I grew up around San Luis! πŸ™‚ I liked seeing it represented in the highway sign picture

  • vann
    October 27, 2010 at 11:21 am

    this might be the most adorable photostrip EVER! I LOVE everything about it!

  • Lacey @ Lake Life
    October 28, 2010 at 5:27 pm

    Kudos to you girl! I could never go camping. We stayed in a sub-optimal motel on Monday night and I could barely tolerate that!

  • big sur, round two β€” Eat, Live, Run
    October 17, 2011 at 4:05 am

    […] past weekend, Adam and I took a trip to one of our favorite places everβ€”Big Sur. We had been once before (remember this video?!), and despite the fact that we were there in the middle of one of the […]

  • Nicole
    November 11, 2011 at 11:13 am

    I’ve always loved these posts you do with slideshows! How in the world do you get this slideshow on the blog? I’ve googled and tried to figure it out on my own, can cannot!