Big Sur Camping Adventures! – Ventana Campgrounds

We went camping again! After a huuuge learning experience our first time camping, where we did nearly everything wrong (too much stuff, not enough water, wrong kind of camp food, etc….) we got some legit gear, some dehydrated foods, found a new camp to try out and hit the road.

We still did some things wrong – forgetting headlamps, forgetting marshmallows, not enough wine… But we did lots of things right too (and obviously made an emergency stop to buy a very expensive bag of marshmallows).

BONUS ROUND: On our way home we stumbled upon an Elephant Seal Beach so we obviously stopped there. So many Seals. So many weird noises!


The drive got scary, so I had this amazing guy take over while I tried not to have a heart attack.

The drive got scary, so I had this amazing guy take over while I tried not to have a heart attack.


GPS told us to take this road, which ended up being absolutely terrifying, but it sure did have some pretty views. 

GPS told us to take this road, which ended up being absolutely terrifying, but it sure did have some pretty views. 


Quick stop at the top of the mountain drive! Not pictured: the zillion flies that were eating us alive.

Quick stop at the top of the mountain drive! Not pictured: the zillion flies that were eating us alive.


My supermodels.

My supermodels.


She wanted to keep catching flies. 

She wanted to keep catching flies. 


Our first peek at the ocean! We both gasped.

Our first peek at the ocean! We both gasped.


Campgrounds were stunning. 

Campgrounds were stunning. 


Good morning belly rubs. We let her sleep in. Or maybe she was too comfy and didn't want to leave? :)

Good morning belly rubs. We let her sleep in. Or maybe she was too comfy and didn’t want to leave? 🙂


Camp breakfast happiness. 

Camp breakfast happiness. 


Oatmeal + dehydrated strawberries. Yummmmm.

Oatmeal + dehydrated strawberries. Yummmmm.


This kid. 

This kid. 


On our way to Pfeiffer Beach. 

On our way to Pfeiffer Beach. 


Her first time at the ocean!! Not sure about any of this yet....

Her first time at the ocean!! Not sure about any of this yet….


Smells good, but what is....??

Smells good, but what is….??


Helping her build up the courage to check out that water stuff up there.

Helping her build up the courage to check out that water stuff up there.


A million miles away. Probably dreaming of Hawaii, like we always do :)

A million miles away. Probably dreaming of Hawaii, like we always do 🙂


Was not mad about spending an entire morning and afternoon here.

Was not mad about spending an entire morning and afternoon here.


Failed attempt at a family picture!!

Failed attempt at a family picture!!


"NOPE. I DO NOT LIKE THE OCEAN DO NOT MAKE ME GO IN THERE."

“NOPE. I DO NOT LIKE THE OCEAN DO NOT MAKE ME GO IN THERE.”


She started freaking out so dad had to carry her all the way to the parking lot. While I laughed the whole time at the ridiculous scene.

She started freaking out so dad had to carry her all the way to the parking lot. While I laughed the whole time at the ridiculous scene.


Brixby Bridge. (Hipsters are part of the view)

Brixby Bridge. (Hipsters are part of the view)


Another shot minus cool california hipster.

Another shot minus cool california hipster.


Back to camp. Still stunned by this.

Back to camp. Still stunned by this.


Getting a fire going. No headlamps so we needed a light source ASAP.

Getting a fire going. No headlamps so we needed a light source ASAP.


Fire/woods/camping = terrifying for puppies.

Fire/woods/camping = terrifying for puppies.


Look at that!

Look at that!


Strange piece of firewood needed to be photographed. 

Strange piece of firewood needed to be photographed. 


I like them burnt. Which is the only right away to roast a marshmallow. I have so much to teach him.

I like them burnt. Which is the only right away to roast a marshmallow. I have so much to teach him.


Our only light source.... romantic and scary.

Our only light source…. romantic and scary.


Spent a lot of time trying to get our settings right for this exact shot. #worthit

Spent a lot of time trying to get our settings right for this exact shot. #worthit


Last morning and last view of our darling tent setup. 

Last morning and last view of our darling tent setup. 


This view! Was I car sick for most of the drive home? Yes. Was it worth it? 10000%.

This view! Was I car sick for most of the drive home? Yes. Was it worth it? 10000%.


I love my Hawaii oceans but this aint so bad.

I love my Hawaii oceans but this aint so bad.


I'm so glad this place exists.

I’m so glad this place exists.


Look at these lazy beasts!

Look at these lazy beasts!


Just posin with Seals, as you do.

Just posin with Seals, as you do.


... that's all, folks!

… that’s all, folks!

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