road trippin 1: nipomo and big sur

as a final huzzah before school, i decided to take an impromptu solo road trip up the coast two weeks ago.

passed through nipomo for some santa maria style bbq. this joint was next to the santa maria brewery, but i didn't go in sadly...

ended up getting the pulled pork sandwich though. the telera bread was a winner: slightly toasted, fresh, and thin but just enough to sop up the sauce. the coleslaw dressing was light, but it did its job in balancing out the bbq sauce, which was more sweet than tangy. gotta appreciate that crunch of the cabbage too! the pork was pretty darn tender. overall, a pretty solid sandwich although i'm not sure if it beats cabs with her smoking sprees lately.

from there, i went up to big sur and stayed at the new camaldoli hermitage.

room shot.

lunch was the main meal here, served buffet style and eaten in our separate rooms. i particularly enjoyed the quiche.

i spent a few peaceful days here, reflecting and getting my mind right for school. i know that it's a cliche, but i still say it with wonder every time: i can't believe how fast time has gone....be movin up to davis in a week and startin in two!