Before going back to my cabin to get some work done (I swear!), I took this shot of the setting sun.

After exploring a couple of trails along Highway 1, Jon and I made it back to Lucia Lodge in time to watch the sun paint the land with watercolors.

Over the summer, Jon built a little, cozy shed in the valley behind his home. We took the trail down there one afternoon and got some work in.

Though many of the highway’s trails were closed due to floods and mudslides, Jon and I found one that took us right down to the ocean. <a href="http://www.hikinginbigsur.com/hikes_partingtoncove.html">Partington Cove</a> was furious, relentless, and beautiful. No subwoofer can recreate that massive sound made by the waves as they crashed into the land.

There are Vista Points all along phenomenal Highway 1. We made plenty of stops.

I was in California last week, spending time with Jon Iverson and working on our “Recommended Components” feature for the April 2010 issue. Jon and Corrina made me feel very much at home, made me feel like a king, made me feel very spoiled and very fortunate. California made me feel very connected to the earth, surrounded me with beauty, reminded me that the most wonderful moments in life are made more beautiful when you’ve got someone to share them with.